At Intro to the UT/Austin Startup Ecosystem, students, faculty, staff, and the general public are invited every fall to explore the diverse and expert network of resources at UT and in Austin dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and innovators. Hosted by the Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center, this presentation and trade show is the perfect opportunity for all levels of engagement in the local startup scene.

The Kendra Scott Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute (KS WELI) supports creatives, founders, leaders, and allies by redefining leadership and entrepreneurship. KS WELI equips and empowers students of all backgrounds through engaging programming and events, spotlighting women-led businesses through the FoundHER Program, and sponsoring interdisciplinary courses within the McCombs Entrepreneurship Minor. Since its founding, KS WELI has become a force on UT’s campus to grow and support the number of women-owned and women-led businesses.

The Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) is the only organization on campus authorized to manage university-owned IP (trademarks excepted). The OTC works with researchers to define the technology, assess its development stage, strategize potentially valuable patent claims, and as necessary, file patents to protect the IP in advance of publication. The OTC also supports technologies that are not patentable, such as software and copyrighted works that may be commercialized via license.

For companies that have participated in our proposal preparation workshops and on-demand webinars, select 1:1 proposal preparation support may be available. Inquiries may be sent to Andrew Worden, Entrepreneurship Program Manager at Andrew.worden@austin.utexas.edu

Get help preparing your SBIR/STTR proposals. For UT Austin-affiliated startups preparing SBIR/STTR Phase I or Phase II proposals. Work with expert proposal preparers and ask questions specific to your proposal. Learn the details of agency-specific proposal preparation including electronic submission and commercialization plans. Agency-specific workshops for the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Defense (DOD), and National Institutes of Health (NIH) are offered periodically.

StartupTree is an online platform that aggregates entrepreneurship events, opportunities, mentorship, and startup jobs and internships at UT Austin.

The Texas McCombs M.S. in Technology Commercialization (MSTC) program was the first ever go-to-market graduate program in the U.S. Designed as a launchpad for your businesses and products, MSTC gives you everything you need to take your ideas to market either through a venture of your own or an existing organization. A top-ranked, STEM-designated degree, MSTC remains one of the most popular and diverse programs for innovative working professionals who want to break into the market.

The Drug Dynamics Institute focuses on innovators who are developing novel drug therapies, devices, diagnostics, and digital health solutions. Our courses emphasize the importance of team-based, applied learning across multiple disciplines, including Pharmacy, Engineering, Natural Sciences, Business, and more. Courses include Fundamentals of Health Innovations, Health Innovation Entrepreneurship Practicum, and Health Innovation Dexterity (in development).

The Texas Global Health Security Innovation Consortium (TEXGHS) connects academic, public- and private-sector partners to support companies working towards pandemic preparedness and response in Texas. TEXGHS is developing a health security innovation ecosystem that supports innovators and innovations fighting COVID-19 and future pandemics. UT Austin entrepreneurs should contact TEXGHS when they are seeking to commercialize infectious disease-related innovations at any stage of development.

Texas Health Catalyst supports the translation of promising ideas and discoveries into solutions that improve health outcomes and lower health care costs. The program provides support through timely and customized guidance on the research and development pathway from industry and clinical experts (Phase 1 awards), as well as seed funding for awardees (Phase 2 awards of $5K-$50K per project).