Reliant and Houston Technology Center Extend Electricity Supply and Sponsorship Agreement

HOUSTON, Jan. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Houston Technology Center (HTC) announced it has chosen Reliant, an NRG company, as its official electricity supplier for another two years. The extended agreement includes a $100,000 sponsorship from the electricity company to help further expand HTC's mission of accelerating the growth of emerging technology companies in the Houston region. As the official electricity supplier, Reliant will power HTC's two building campus at 410 Pierce Street in midtown Houston.

"We are excited to continue our partnership with Reliant. The company's generous support is significant in helping spur innovation among growing technology companies in the greater Houston area," said Walter Ulrich, President & CEO of the Houston Technology Center. "We appreciate having a solid partner like Reliant whose values align with ours."

"HTC is an incredible asset to the Houston economy and we are pleased to support and be part of their efforts," said Jason Few, Reliant President and NRG Executive Vice President & Chief  Customer Officer. "Expanding and creating jobs for the area creates tremendous positive benefits that our community will reap for years to come."

In addition to aiding HTC's general efforts to support emerging technology businesses in Houston, executives from Reliant and its parent company NRG Energy lend expertise and critical support to HTC's energy acceleration program. The program helps energy technology entrepreneurs in the region by providing strategic and tactical management advice.

Also, NRG recently announced an additional $25,000 donation specifically to help advance the effort between HTC and NASA Johnson Space Center to foster entrepreneurial opportunities to the transitioning workforce in and around the Galveston Bay area. Reliant and NRG have contributed $175,000 over the last year to support emerging technology in the region through the work of HTC.

About Reliant:
Reliant provides electricity, energy services and smart energy solutions to more than 1.5 million retail customers including homes, businesses, manufacturing facilities, government entities and institutions in Texas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. As part of NRG, Reliant is backed by a Fortune 500 company that is at the forefront of changing how people think about and use energy. NRG is a pioneer in developing cleaner and smarter energy choices for its customers and its diverse power generating facilities can support over 20 million homes nationwide. For more information about Reliant products and services, visit www.reliant.com.

About Houston Technology Center:  Named by Forbes as one of "Ten Technology Incubators Changing the World," the Houston Technology Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is a business accelerator and the largest technology business incubator in Texas, advancing the commercialization of emerging technology companies in the greater Houston area. As a catalyst for change, economic growth and development, HTC's focus is to assist entrepreneurs within several key sectors: energy, information technology, life sciences, nanotechnology, and NASA/aerospace. For more information visit www.HoustonTech.org or connect with HTC on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter @HouTechCenter.

SOURCE Houston Technology Center