At the Herb Kelleher Entrepreneurship Center, our dedicated focus is on fostering the growth of entrepreneurial skills and empowering Longhorns to embrace this mindset in their careers, whether through starting their own businesses or driving innovation within established industries. UT founders can tap into the HKEC’s wealth of entrepreneurial resources through our networking and funding opportunities, interactive speaker events, one-on-one mentorship, pitch competitions, and our semester-long practicum, the Forty Acres Founders Program.

Resources for understanding how engaging with industry for your research works at UT Austin and tools to help find industry funding and support.

The Innovation Tower is the first of its kind office building in the Innovation District, the hub for Texas life science, healthcare, research, and technology industries. With iconic architecture, efficient use of space, outdoor gathering spaces, and numerous additional amenities, the Innovation Tower is a prime location for startups or established companies seeking to be at the nexus of innovation between UT Austin and downtown Austin.

The Center for Integrated Design offers approximately 30 design-based courses each year. We offer the most cutting-edge innovation and creative practices that companies are demanding. Our courses are open for any enrolled student at UT Austin, and provide a range of offerings from Introduction to Design Thinking, skills like sketching and storytelling, and advanced coursework in partnership with Austin Design companies. Specific courses can be found on our website.

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 LaunchPad at UT Austin is a resource hub that helps all undergraduate and graduate students explore entrepreneurship at UT. We help students identify where they are in their entrepreneurial journey – Explore, Ideate, Create, or Scale – then educate and connect them to resources across campus and in Austin. LaunchPad resources include events, coworking space, funding, bootcamps, accelerators, and other programs. We are a proud member of the global Blackstone LaunchPad Network of 46+ campuses.

The Office of Undergraduate Research supports student engagement in the research and creative activity of the university. The Office of Undergraduate Research acts as a hub for resources and activities that help undergraduates 1) connect with faculty mentors to become involved in research, 2) obtain funding to carry out their projects, and 3) share their results with internal and external audiences.

Pivot allows researchers in all disciplines to quickly discover funding opportunities that match their interests and expertise. Pivot is available to all UT faculty, staff researchers, research administrators and students.

HKEC-funded travel grants allow undergraduate and graduate students to participate in national and international business startup competitions and share their vision with the world. Grant applications must be submitted by the last day of the month in order to receive a grant by the 15th of the following month. Only one $750 travel grant will be awarded per startup per year. All current, UT Austin undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply.

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