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 College of Natural Sciences Catalyst Grants program is a College of Natural Sciences internal funding mechanism meant to inspire new interdisciplinary research collaborations in high-impact, emerging fields that will seed efforts to secure major external 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 Foundry provides access to makerspace equipment such as 3d printers, a laser cutter, mills, a VR headset, and a recording studio. The Foundry is designed to train and service entry-level makers. Students can join the Canvas course to learn more about how to get certified on the equipment. The Foundry cannot support large events or classes as equipment is limited.

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.

Global Innovation Lab partners with governments, universities and industries to train and support entrepreneurs in their communities to overcome local challenges, create jobs, and drive sustainable economic development. Services provided include support in developing incubator management, technology transfer, commercialization, and ecosystem development.

Interactive and experiential workshops feature entrepreneurs from various industries and on-campus experts. Ignite Startup Workshops enable students, faculty, staff, and the startup community to gain usable skills and insights in how to launch an idea into a startup.

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 Momentum is a student organization on a mission to create a vibrant entrepreneurship community for students. We run a semester-long startup accelerator that connects student-founders with product managers, software engineers, and designers to build, launch, and scale their venture. Membership in Momentum is open to all majors.

For companies that have participated in our proposal preparation workshops and on-demand webinars, select 1:1 proposal preparation support may be available. Inquiries may be sent to Andrew Worden, Entrepreneurship Program Manager at Andrew.worden@austin.utexas.edu