The Austin Technology Incubator (ATI) seeks highly motivated UT Austin students for exciting professional experiences working with early-stage, rapidly growing companies in our deep tech portfolio. Students may focus on sustainability or healthcare startups as well as supporting internal ATI projects. We offer both paid and unpaid positions and participation may count towards class credit, internship requirements, or volunteer hours. Graduate and undergraduate students from all majors may apply.

Membership in the Austin Technology Incubator is open to early-stage "deep tech" startups from inside and outside UT. By deep tech we mean scientific and engineering breakthroughs, particularly in healthcare and sustainability. Membership provides a uniquely customized experience including ongoing expert support, connections to capital, access to testing and prototyping labs, and in-depth student projects. Members usually join when they have working technology and are preparing to raise money.

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 Convergent Incubator program connects founders with engineers, designers, and business analysts needed to take ventures to the next level. Founders work with a technical project manager, a designer, and a team of engineers to build, add features, and scale the product. In unison, our team of business analysts set founders up for success in raising capital. We partner with organizations like Genesis to streamline the process for funding.

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 Entrepreneurship Minor teaches students how to become innovative leaders and make meaningful impact in their communities. Our curriculum requires students to learn fundamental skills in ideation creation, business plans, marketing, pitching, and product development. In summary, students learn how to plan and launch new projects, products and startups.

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!

Hosted by the Texas Innovation Center, KS WEL Institute's Female Founder Pitch Competition showcases emerging businesses and technologies that are paving the way to have a significant impact on the world. Open to all UT Austin undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, alumnae, and startup ecosystem women-founders, this startup competition aims to highlight innovation happening in the heart of Texas.

The Foundation Relations team is here to assist faculty in identifying potential foundation funding sources for their research, programs, and projects, as well as developing strategies to approach funders. Office Hours are held every Thursday to give UT faculty the opportunity to meet with one of our gift officers to discuss their projects and potential funding avenues. Faculty are encouraged to use the ‘request a meeting’ form on our website to efficiently engage with our team.

Genesis is a student-alumni partnership with over $1.8 million to distribute to student-founded companies through non-dilutive grants, along with the time and talent of our diverse and entrepreneurial leadership team. Genesis has helped founders develop their businesses, build their products, generate their first revenue, recruit cofounders and early employees, brainstorm ideas, and raise future funding from top investors. All students can apply for funding and mentorship.