The Office of Industry Engagement (OIE) negotiates all contracts related to private industry research funding. OIE endeavors to streamline negotiations to better accommodate industry financial cycles and assist UT faculty in their collaborative efforts with industry partners. OIE focuses on flexible engagements and expedited contractual negotiations, through collaboration with internal and external stakeholders and with support from the Office of Technology Commercialization.

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.

#SHEreads is a self-paced book club with optional guided questions and informal discussion over #Slack.

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 Texas Innovation Center offers a personalized environment for faculty and students to explore entrepreneurship that includes educational workshops, speaker series, coaching sessions, and direct guidance for technology commercialization pathways; from ideation to market validation to fundraising. We accomplish this through Startup-In-A-Box Resources, TxIC Friends and Mentors Network, Innovation Lab, and co-working space. A place to inspire, create and commercialize.

The Texas Proof of Concept (POC) Awards provide internal funding to researchers on a competitive basis. Awards serve as a bridge to demonstrate the feasibility of a technology to either attract a commercial partner through licensing or validate the case for establishing a startup. POC Awards (up to $25K) and Texas+ POC Awards (up to $125K in 1:1 match) are focused on helping de-risk inventions to an inflection point in value. Click Learn More for details on the current application cycle.

The Texas Student Research Showdown is a video competition for undergraduate researchers at The University of Texas at Austin. Student researchers create videos communicating their research or creative activity to a general audience. As selected by a panel of faculty judges, the top videos receive monetary awards, as does an audience choice winner selected by UT students. The Office of Undergraduate Research offers support at every step of the process.

Founded in 2010, the Texas Venture Labs Accelerator is a zero-cost, zero equity program that connects Texas startups with multi-disciplinary graduate student teams. These students provide up to 200 hours of high impact business consulting each spring and fall semester. We accept applications from both early stage and growth stage startups who can clearly define meaningful projects to help accelerate growth and are committed to engaging with the student team.

The Texas Venture Labs Investment Competition provides UT System graduate students the opportunity to compete for cash prizes while pitching new business ideas. They also receive invaluable feedback from panels of judges comprised of industry experts, entrepreneurs, and investors. Many competitors launch their businesses while others leverage the experience in careers as leaders in their fields. Awards include best three finalists, elevator pitches, healthcare innovation, and military veteran-led.