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CREATE Accelerator
Also known as: CREATE, TCU CREATE
Texas Christian University · Fort Worth, Texas
Quick fit check
- No equity required
- Currently active
- Verified by research
Key numbers
Funding range
—
Equity
None
Application
Annual
Institution Wide
Last activity
2026-05-27
High confidence
Known startups and winners
Competition winners and notable student ventures from our research.
AirBoot
$16,000
prize won
Texas Christian University
Silicone bottle boot with Apple AirTag tracker; CREATE 2026 ($16,000 total including Judges' Choice).
Bakame AI
Texas Christian University
Mobile offline English learning for Rwanda; CREATE 2025 funded venture.
EzCoder
$14,000
prize won
Texas Christian University
AI app builder for non-technical founders; CREATE 2026 ($14,000); Colby Clark, MBA.
Island Interactive
Texas Christian University
Roblox gaming experience with 30M+ play sessions and 8M users; CREATE 2026 cohort; Blake Swenson.
Lucy's Loops
$9,500
prize won
Texas Christian University
Small-batch sourdough bagels; CREATE 2026 ($9,500 total with People's Choice); Olivia Webb.
CREATE Accelerator
CREATE is TCU's year-long cross-campus accelerator operated by the tcu-institute-entrepreneurship and powered by the tcu-shaddock-seed-fund. Open to all TCU students regardless of major or venture stage, the program provides mentorship, workshops, legal support, and non-dilutive grant funding culminating in a final pitch competition for up to $50,000 in total awards.
Program Structure
- Fall: Information sessions, workshops, college internal pitch competitions (one winner per college)
- Spring: 10-team accelerator cohort with mentors, legal/accounting sessions, Shaddock Marketplace sales
- Final pitch: End of spring semester in Shaddock Auditorium
Key Details
- Funding: Up to $50,000 total pool (non-dilutive, no equity)
- Eligibility: All TCU students, all majors, any venture stage
- Leadership: Paul Evans (Associate Director), Marcellis Perkins (Project Manager and Lead Strategist)
- Shaddock Marketplace: Semester campus sales events for participants
2026 Winners
| Venture | Founder | Award |
|---|---|---|
| EzCoder | Colby Clark (MBA) | $14,000 |
| AirBoot | Colby Ackerman (Junior) | $14,000 + $2,000 Judges' Choice ($16,000 total) |
| Lucy's Loops | Olivia Webb | $8,500 + $1,000 People's Choice |
| MVP Training | Bobby Deftos, Dylan Lafferty | $4,000 |
| Lily Grips | Rachel Clancy, Jessika Wilkinson | $2,000 |
| Xccelerate Motors | Jordan Goings | $500 |
EzCoder is an AI-powered platform for non-technical founders to build applications using natural language prompts. AirBoot is a patent-pending silicone bottle boot housing an Apple AirTag for tracking reusable water bottles.
News & articles
News articles and official sources documenting CREATE Accelerator at Texas Christian University.
4 sources
TCU Neeley School of Business
CREATE Accelerator 2026 Winners
URL: https://neeley.tcu.edu/news/posts/create-winners-2026.php Captured: 2026-07-01 Published: May 27, 2026 Eight student ventures pitched at CREATE's 2026 final event. EzCoder and AirBoot each received $14,000; AirBoot also earned $2,000 Judges' Choice ($16,000 total).
Read on TCU Neeley School of Business
TCU Neeley School of Business
CREATE Accelerator Program
URL: https://neeley.tcu.edu/centers-institutes/institute-for-entrepreneurship-innovation/create-program.php Captured: 2026-07-01 CREATE is TCU's year-long cross-campus accelerator powered by the Shaddock Seed Fund. Open to all students and majors. Up to $50,000 in funding at final pitch. Fall college competitions feed 10-team spring cohort.
Read on TCU Neeley School of Business
Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
TCU Neeley School of Business
TCU Neeley School of Business
Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
URL: https://neeley.tcu.edu/centers-institutes/institute-for-entrepreneurship-innovation/index.php Captured: 2026-07-01 The Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is TCU Neeley's central entrepreneurship hub, connecting CREATE Accelerator, Values and Ventures, Horned Frog Investment Network, Venture Builder internships, and the Entrepreneurship Certificate.
Read on TCU Neeley School of Business
TCU Neeley School of Business
Shaddock Seed Fund
URL: https://www.neeley.tcu.edu/News/SuccessStories/CREATE-story2024 Captured: 2026-07-01 The Shaddock Seed Fund, established by Bill Shaddock (Shaddock Development Company), powers CREATE with non-dilutive grant funding up to $50K annually and funds Shaddock Marketplace campus sales events.
Read on TCU Neeley School of Business