SAMSAT Archives - StartupsSanAntonio.com

Port San Antonio Innovation Center on Track to Open by Early 2022

12Apr

By Iris GonzalezNo Comments

Port San Antonio Innovation Center on Track to Open by Early 2022

On an overcast Monday morning, Sundt Construction crew members installed large 40-foot concrete walls into place for the Port San Antonio innovation center. Port San Antonio CEO Jim Perschbach confirmed the new facility would open by February or March of 2022. Port San Antonio board members committed $60 million in August 2020 to build a state-of-the-art facility that will connect people with employment, educational, and entrepreneurial opportunities. The 130,000 square-foot innovation center will be a multi-purpose building with a 2,500-seat state-of-the-art technology arena capable of flexible configurations for hosting esports (competitive multiplayer video gaming) competitions, concerts, product launches, large training programs, and conferences. The expanded home for the San Anton...

Port San Antonio Board Approves Funding for $60M Innovation Center

13Aug

By Iris GonzalezNo Comments

Articles, Featured

Port San Antonio Board Approves Funding for $60M Innovation Center

Port San Antonio board members approved committing $60 million to build an innovation center after a meeting on Thursday, according to Port officials. The construction of a state-of-the-art innovation center will help advance the organization's Tech Port strategy to connect people with employment, educational, and entrepreneurial opportunities. The Port will fund the project construction costs via a commercial loan, to be repaid from anticipated multiple revenue streams from the center's entertainment events, conferences, and industry partnerships. In keeping with the Port's economic development mandate, the board also decided to allocate 100% of the innovation center's excess revenue (after expenses) to support technology-focused K-12, college-level, and professional development progr...

SAMSAT CEO Growing Early-Stage Science and Tech Museum into World-Class STEM Institution

17Jun

By Iris GonzalezNo Comments

Articles, Featured

SAMSAT CEO Growing Early-Stage Science and Tech Museum into World-Class STEM Institution

There hasn't been a quiet day since Douglas King started in mid-March as the new president and CEO of the San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology (SAMSAT). At about the same time as the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions went into place, King was learning about the world-class collection of historical science and technology artifacts housed at Port San Antonio in the former Kelly Air Force Base chapel.The early-stage technology and science museum has been the centerpiece of the Port's planned innovation hub since SAMSAT founder, innovator, and entrepreneur David Monroe moved his collection to the Port in 2017. Conceived as a hub for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) innovators and entrepreneurs to work alongside industry partners, the Port's innovation center, once com...

Port San Antonio Board Approves ASM Global as Operator for New Innovation Center

26Feb

By Iris GonzalezNo Comments

Articles, Featured

Port San Antonio Board Approves ASM Global as Operator for New Innovation Center

Port San Antonio announced venue management company ASM Global as the operator for the Port's planned innovation center after board members approved plans in a meeting on Wednesday, according to Port officials.ASM Global is a venue management and services company with a global portfolio of more than 300 of the world's most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibit centers, such as the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. ASM will be responsible for the management and booking of the Port's innovation center, as well as for the food and beverages in the center's food hall.Port San Antonio will retain full ownership, paying ASM a monthly fee.The Port's re-development agreement with American Triple I Partners, an infrastructure private equity firm focused on transportatio...

Shift in Port San Antonio Strategic Approach Yields Close to 3,000 New Jobs

8Nov

By Iris GonzalezNo Comments

Articles, Featured

Shift in Port San Antonio Strategic Approach Yields Close to 3,000 New Jobs

Port San Antonio's new strategic course launched 18 months ago has paid off with close to 3,000 new jobs in cybersecurity, aerospace, and other advanced technologies, Port president and CEO Jim Perschbach said in Friday's State of the Port address. Organized by the West San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, the annual year in review emphasized how bold decisions have paid off so far in economic development and new opportunities for innovation at the Port.Of the 2,757 jobs created since the start of fiscal year 2018 to date, only 50 were a result of economic incentives offered by the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation, Pershbach said. The Port is home to significant cybersecurity operations, including 1,000 personnel employed by the 16th Air Force (Air Forces Cyber) headquarters...

San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology Centerpiece of Port San Antonio Innovation Hub

10Oct

By Iris GonzalezNo Comments

Articles, Featured

San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology Centerpiece of Port San Antonio Innovation Hub

San Antonio is home to a world-class collection of historic science and technology artifacts housed in an early-stage museum that is the centerpiece of Port San Antonio's planned innovation center. Conceived as a hub for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) innovators and entrepreneurs to work alongside industry partners, the Port’s innovation center will also include the expanded new home for the San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology (SAMSAT).That larger space will accommodate the growing mission of the nonprofit museum, which in late September merged with SASTEMIC, operator of the Geekbus and longtime provider of STEM programming and educational services.“Together, we are a larger, stronger and more diverse organization, carrying all our staff and services for...

Port San Antonio To Present Plan for New Innovation Hub Nov. 30

18Sep

By Iris GonzalezNo Comments

Articles, Featured

Port San Antonio To Present Plan for New Innovation Hub Nov. 30

Last week, a group of Texas State Legislature Representatives visited Port San Antonio to learn about its ambitious plans for a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) innovation campus in San Antonio. Many eagerly anticipate the Port's proposed development concept which Port board members should receive by November 30, said Port president and CEO Jim Perschbach. In February, Port board members approved a pre-development agreement with American Triple I Partners, an infrastructure private equity firm focused on transportation, information technology, and smart city investments, to build the innovation center. The 120-day agreement has been extended to November 30, when the Port's Board members will review and vote to approve the development plan. The proposed innovation ...

San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology Summer Camp Program Offers Unique STEM Classes

1Apr

By Iris GonzalezNo Comments

Articles, Featured

San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology Summer Camp Program Offers Unique STEM Classes

The San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology (SAMSAT) and the San Antonio Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics Connectery (SASTEMIC) are collaborating on a summer program featuring science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-themed STEM-based classes.All classes will be at SAMSAT, which is located on 102 Mabry Drive on Port San Antonio’s campus. Each week-long camp features experts teaching the particular topic and opportunities for students to gain hands-on learning experience.Registration opens April 1. The cost for each week-long class is $300 which includes all materials, plus daily breakfast and lunch. Assistance for families meeting requirements for financial need is available on a first-come basis. Register for camps (add your request for assistance...

Port San Antonio Approves Pre-Development Agreement for Innovation Center, Cyber Facilities

27Feb

By Iris GonzalezNo Comments

Articles, Featured

Port San Antonio Approves Pre-Development Agreement for Innovation Center, Cyber Facilities

Plans for an ambitious innovation campus at Port San Antonio have gotten one step closer to realization.Port board members voted Wednesday afternoon to approve a pre-development 120-day agreement with American Triple I Partners, LLC. The memorandum of understanding outlines how the Port will work with American Triple I Partners to build the innovation center on the 1,900-acre campus first proposed in 2018. Sundt Infrastructure Development will support Triple I during the pre-development phase.American Triple I Partners is an infrastructure private equity firm that focuses on transportation, information technology, and smart city investments.The same partners will also work on the concept development for a second facility as part of the Port’s Project Tech complex. The new build...

Port San Antonio Unveils Plans for STEM Innovation Campus

25Feb

By Iris GonzalezNo Comments

Articles, Featured

Port San Antonio Unveils Plans for STEM Innovation Campus

Port San Antonio ‘s conceptual plan for a proposed innovation campus is garnering attention, and not just for its planned technology arena. The Port is leveraging its existing structures to refine its vision of connecting the capabilities across their entire campus to innovators throughout San Antonio, the state of Texas, and globally, Port San Antonio president and chief executive officer Jim Perschbach said.“It’s not just about these buildings, it’s about capturing the spirit of innovation so we can provide solutions for a connected world,” Perschbach said. “They are tremendous opportunities here in San Antonio—one of the world’s largest communities of cybersecurity experts—to work closely with big industries and have a better understanding of the cyber threats that could cripple the...