Hayden Blackburn, a leading strategist, program developer and organizer within the north Texas entrepreneurial community, has agreed to join the staff of TECH Fort Worth as Assistant Director, effective December 1.

The former IDEA Works FW Director won’t have far to go to change offices; IDEA Works FW and TECH Fort Worth are based at the City of Fort Worth’s Guinn Complex at I-35 and Rosedale.

“I have been impressed with Hayden's work at Idea Works. He has a lot of experience in the entrepreneurial community in Fort Worth and will be a great addition to our team, allowing us to continue to improve and expand our services for technology-based companies in North Texas,” said Darlene Boudreaux, Executive Director of TECH Fort Worth.

“At TECH Fort Worth, Hayden will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Cowtown Angels. He will also organize a new mentorship program to leverage the talents of more members of the community who want to participate with TECH Fort Worth in a volunteer capacity.”

Blackburn’s idea to help emerging businesses and find use for an empty building at the Guinn Complex campus was the genesis for the City of Fort Worth to partner with the BAC Education Foundation to create IDEA Works FW. He was the logical choice for its first director in 2013.

He was responsible for developing and establishing a vision and future for IDEA Works FW, as well as overseeing the operations, delivery of services and facility management. This included planning, organizing and marketing all activities and providing a high quality, safe and comfortable environment for clients and visitors.

"Hayden has gone above and beyond his job description and has proved to be passionate about bringing community resources to the local entrepreneur,” said Lucas Sawyer, Chairman of the non-profit BAC Education Foundation board that manages IDEA Works. "This transition makes great sense as he is able to continue to unite entrepreneurship programs."

Previously, Blackburn worked in strategic development, marketing and business and economic development roles, including the Funding Information Center and Business Assistance Center in Fort Worth. He has been involved with helping to build the Fort Worth startup ecosystem since 2011. He has been a founder or leading contributor to the Fort Worth Business Plan Competition, 1 Million Cups, Startup Weekend, Great Ideas conversations and the Entrepreneur Summit.

“Directing the launch of IDEA Works FW and bringing the program to its first graduates was always about filling gaps in our support ecosystem for entrepreneurs,” he said. “Now that we have filled the infrastructure gaps with a mixed-industry incubator and entrepreneur development center, as well as launching new events, it is time to start strengthening our community’s resources and offerings for doers, innovators and entrepreneurs.

“Moving over to TECH FW is an exciting step in that goal. With its history of successful graduates and positive impact on local angel investing, the organization is primed to grow as the home for technology-based companies far beyond its walls and I look forward to working with Darlene Boudreaux and Jorge Varela in the advancement of the cause.”

Blackburn is a 2007 honors graduate of the Rawls College of Business at Texas Tech University. He serves on the Near Southside Inc Board of Directors.

TECH Fort Worth is a nonprofit technology incubator with offices at the James E. Guinn Complex in Fort Worth, at the UNT Health Science Center’s Center for BioHealth and at the University of Texas at Arlington. For more information, call Darlene Boudreaux, Executive Director, at (817) 984-9840, email her at Darlene@techfw.org or go to www.techfw.org.