Comcast NBCUniversal and UNION Partner to Elevate Startups Through LIFT Labs

The UNION platform will connect LIFT Labs companies with Comcast NBCUniversal’s leaders and external partners worldwide, as well as provide educational resources.

Comcast NBCUniversal and UNION, an online platform that connects entrepreneurs around the world with resources and a network of mentors, announced that UNION will support Comcast NBCUniversal’s LIFT Labs for Entrepreneurs program.  The companies will work together to enhance LIFT Labs’ collaborative, multi-city program and help develop the next generation of media, entertainment and connectivity startups.

“We’re thrilled to start this partnership with Comcast NBCUniversal to connect their program with our global ecosystem of startup programs and resources for innovators,” said Evan Burfield, CEO at UNION.  “It’s crucial we continue to bring all parties to the table to develop a strong community of support and resources for entrepreneurs.  By sharing select content globally, Comcast NBCUniversal will provide hundreds of startups access to their invaluable insights.”

The UNION platform will connect LIFT Labs companies with Comcast NBCUniversal’s leaders and external partners worldwide, as well as provide educational resources.  UNION has a robust platform used by 75 incubators, startup hubs, and investor groups around the world.  Its library of startup resources will complement thought leadership content from Comcast NBCUniversal’s subject matter experts. In addition, the UNION platform will help facilitate sessions between mentors and startups, manage the LIFT Labs calendar of events at its flagship location in Philadelphia, and foster a virtual community connecting LIFT Labs to UNION’s global network of 5,000 startups and founders.

“LIFT Labs was informed by 1,500 conversations we had with entrepreneurs around the world.  These conversations have shaped the programs we developed and the resources we have made available through LIFT Labs,” said Danielle Cohn, Executive Director, Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs. “Our partnership with UNION supports LIFT Labs in its mission to connect startups with the resources they need to advance their businesses and elevate to the next level.”

UNION has over 800 learning resources and classes, 1,700 mentors and facilitates over 3,000 connections every month. This provides entrepreneurs with access to crucial resources and connections with likeminded innovators regardless of where their startups are located.

Founder-focused, LIFT Labs is a forum for regular events featuring top experts, mentors, ideas and technology from Comcast NBCUniversal and our worldwide partner network.  It also includes LIFT Labs Accelerator, powered by Techstars, a trusted leader in the startup ecosystem.  Techstars will use UNION as part of the LIFT Labs Accelerator, which will begin accepting applications on January 8, 2018.

"Techstars plans to use the UNION platform to efficiently connect Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs Accelerator, powered by Techstars companies with resources across Comcast NBCUniversal and their extensive network of partners,” said David Cohen, founder and co-CEO of Techstars.  “In addition, Techstars alumni will have the opportunity to use the platform to access the Comcast NBCUniversal network of industry leaders and engage with the entrepreneurial community."

For more information on Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs, including updates on how startups can join the UNION platform, visit ComcastNBCULIFT.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Comcast

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with two primary businesses, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of the nation’s largest video, high-speed internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the XFINITY brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the XFINITY brand. NBCUniversal operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures and Universal Parks and Resorts.

About UNION

UNION empowers startup ecosystems around the world. Our platform provides entrepreneurs, startup hubs and innovation teams with the best resources, networks and data architecture to transform their operations regardless of location. To learn more, visit UNION.vc.