In anticipation of a Jan. 1, 2001, name change to Accenture, Andersen Consulting has leased space at Dallas' Infomart for a Texas Business Launch Centre to service North Texas, Austin and Houston. The Texas Business Launch Centre is one of 25 such operations worldwide. "It's a good opportunity for e-business," an Andersen spokeswoman told GlobeSt.com.

The centers provide first round-funded IT startups and spin-offs with expertise in management, marketing, finance, administration and technology in their business undertakings. John Romanow, a partner in Andersen's communications practice, and Mitch Cline, a partner in the firm's electronics and high-tech division, have been selected to head up the center.

The Texas center will serve as the brick-and-mortar hub for Andersen's e-business strategy while servicing Austin and Houston electronically. The three target cities have been chosen, says Romanow, because they are among the fastest-growing high-tech markets in the nation. The operation is structured to solidify Andersen's role in the "new economy," taking equity in the businesses in lieu of a significant portion of fees. "The equity arrangement allows the startup to manage its cash flow at a time it needs it most," says Cline.