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.

Annual grant for one faculty member to explore an industry related to their area of research with the goal of discovering near-term commercialization opportunities. Over a 12-month period, the faculty member receives a $30,000+ grant to lead a team consisting of a graduate student, undergraduate researchers / market analysts, and paired with an Industry Guide to support their efforts.

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.

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.

When a UT researcher has a personal financial interest or association with a company that aims to further develop and commercialize their UT-owned technology, there can be a perceived or actual conflict of interest. The Office of Research Support and Compliance helps researchers address personal, financial conflict(s) of interest related to their research activities, through the implementation of financial conflict of interest management strategies.

The Office of Technology Commercialization has an expert team dedicated to helping interested parties find the best UT technologies for their specific needs. Through utilization of a powerful web-based search tool, or connecting one-on-one with a team member, we can provide a tailored list of available UT intellectual property. Our team works with potential partners to transfer university technology or discoveries to the marketplace for the benefit of society.

Nine-month program for 2-3 recent graduates to discover an entrepreneurial opportunity in an industry of their choice and explore potential solutions with the goal of launching a venture. Each GY Founder receives a $15,000 stipend and $10,000 budget for travel and material expenses.

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.

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.

The UT System Board of Regents Rule 90101: Intellectual Property provides guidance on timely and efficient processes to manage intellectual property. These fundamental principles are intended to be adaptable to the highly varied circumstances that characterize the private sector and the portfolio of research at UT System institutions.