Texas Advanced Computing Center’s Frontera system is the most powerful supercomputer in academia in the world. We offer computing time for research and development work, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, and large-scale data storage. Researchers can bring their own code, or Texas Advanced Computing Center staff can help write programs to solve challenges. Training is also available, free of charge.

This grant supports federal SBIR/STTR Phase I awardees to make their Phase II proposals more competitive while increasing UT’s Phase II funding rates. Grants are reviewed quarterly, and awards are up to $30,000.

The Center for Additive Manufacturing and Design Innovation houses a number of high-end, commercial additive manufacturing (AM) machines. We are capable of fabricating complex polymer and metal parts using our core technology platforms: Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Stereolithography (SLA), and PolyJet (PJ). These systems can be used for prototyping as well as producing functional, end-use components in small lot sizes.

The Center for Electromechanics performs leading-edge basic and applied research in electrical and mechanical engineering, with a special emphasis on applied engineering leading to prototype development in electromechanical devices and systems with high specific power, force, and/or energy storage or other unique attributes. This is accomplished through sponsored applied research and internships, laboratory space, prototype fabrication, and leveraging a breadth of engineering expertise.

The E. Craig Nemec Elevator Challenge Award is a $1,000 prize given to the presenters of the top three elevator pitches at the Texas Venture Labs Investment Competition. The award is named after Edward Craig Nemec, who began his entrepreneurial pursuits while completing his business degree at UT. Over the next 25 years, he grew it into the commercial real estate firm Pearson Group Capital Management, owners and operators of office and industrial properties.

The KS WEL Institute empowers and spotlights female-owned startups monthly through their application-based Featured Female Founders program. The Featured Female Founders program provides resources and exposure to the Austin startup community for these founders. Come stop by the KS WEL Institute or apply online if you're interested in becoming a Featured Female Founder!

As a complement to The Navigator, the Innovation Concierge serves as a nexus for all innovation activity for faculty across the UT campus. The Innovation Concierge is well informed on innovation resources both within the institution, as well as the broader Austin and Texas ecosystems. Faculty are encouraged to connect as needed and the Innovation Concierge will provide a warm handoff to the correct point of contact.

The James D. Pippin Veteran Entrepreneurship Award is a $1,000 prize awarded to one of the top teams in the Texas Venture Labs Investment Competition with one or more U.S. military veteran cofounders. The award is named after James D. Pippin, a Retired Command Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army who served with RideScout co-founder and CEO Joseph Kopser. Sergeant Major Pippin is the only active duty serviceman to have conducted three airborne combat jumps.

Texas Venture Labs works campus-wide across disciplines to transform graduate students into entrepreneurs and business leaders, take their innovations to market, and accelerate startups in our ecosystem. We do this through our Practicum course and Fellows program that provide experiential learning for grad students, our Investment Competition, and our Accelerator. Let us help you build your skills while launching your dreams.

Interested in SBIR/STTR funding but not sure where to begin? Writing your proposal and looking for expert guidance? On-demand webinars about SBIR/STTR programs and agency proposal requirements are available to the UT Austin community at no cost through our collaboration with BBC Entrepreneurial Training & Consulting.