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.

UT Austin's Simulation and Game Applications (SAGA) Lab develops software for funded projects and assists in preparing grant proposals. We create games, interactive/immersive environments, mobile apps, web dashboards, game-simulations, and VR/AR software solutions. The SAGA Lab and partnering UT faculty co-design the software solution, which is developed by paid student-interns. We have a long track record of creating software solutions for research and education spanning nearly 10 years.

Every semester, the LaunchPad gives out $15K in grant money (ranging from $500-$5,000) for undergrad students pursuing an entrepreneurial opportunity. Grants can be used for projects related to customer discovery, prototype development, pilot deployment, travel expenses, living stipends for unpaid and/or low-paying startup internships, and more. Priority is given to students participating in UGS programs and Success Initiatives across campus.

The Sustainability Education and Enterprise Development (SEED) program is more than just a competition. Unlike other challenges that occur over a shorter period, we provide mentorship, curriculum, and networking opportunities for students over two semesters. Our goal is to train future problem solvers to address root problems through a sustainability lens – not just to give a great pitch. SEED’s long-term mission is to create a collaborative network of educational institutions, impact businesses, and community programs to train youth to become sustainability innovation leaders in any career through education and experiential learning.

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).

Texas Biodesign is inspired by Stanford Biodesign’s process of front-end innovation development, in which interdisciplinary teams of researchers, engineers, business participants, and clinicians work to understand how to use needs-driven innovation to solve medical and business problems. Texas Biodesign is a collaboration between UT’s Texas Innovation Center and Texas Venture Labs, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, and NASA.

Texas Global Faculty Research Seed Grants support faculty with peer collaborators at institutions abroad to conduct research that addresses global challenges. Seed is available to pursue a new research project with a peer collaborator at a leading institution/organization with which UT has an existing partnership, or an institution/organization with which UT Austin would like to explore development of a new partnership. Projects focused on entrepreneurship and innovation are invited to apply.

Texas Venture Mentoring Service (TEXVMS) has assembled over 100 expert mentors to support startups in the many entrepreneurship programs at UT Austin. TEXVMS's intensive team mentoring methodology surrounds startups with diverse expertise tailored to each company's unique needs. Mentors provide practical, actionable advice with a focus on developing the entrepreneur. Startups with any UT Austin connection may apply: university IP, faculty/student founder, or participation in another UT program.

A state-of-the-art facility where staff explores the intersection between human perception and large-scale visual analysis through the study of visualization and interactive displays. The Vislab serves as a research hub for human-computer interaction, tiled display software development, and visualization consulting. The Vislab offers opportunities to UT faculty, staff, and students to use visualization, interaction, and computational resources for the exploration and presentation of data. 

UT Austin students interning at a startup or working in an entrepreneurial venture may be eligible to enroll in EXP 000 (undergrad) or EXP 080 (grad), the university's zero-credit internship and experiential learning course. This is a tuition-free course with self-paced experiential activities that help students reflect and build upon their experience. As a benefit, this course maintains enrollment for students who do not plan to enroll in other courses while participating in the experience.