About Startups

In Texas, emerging technology is not only enhancing Texas' global competiveness, but it is igniting the economy by attracting the best scientists and researchers to Texas, increasing the number of high-tech jobs, and helping with the formation of start-up companies.

OTC works closely with university inventors and a network of entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and angel and corporate investors, as well as the State of Texas Emerging Technology Fund, law firms, ATI, and other members of the technology ecosystem, to form new ventures that serve the public interest by finding practical applications for university-developed technologies.

The university actively supports the creation of startups and encourages experienced entrepreneurs and investors to submit startup proposals. OTC will give due consideration to all fiscally sound proposals. OTC is geared to get licenses completed quickly and on terms that are supportive to the startup's business model. University technologies have been licensed to traditional startups as well as LLCs, partnerships, subchapter S companies, and other corporate structures. The University of Texas at Austin leads the state in institutional startups, with over 35 active startups currently working to commercialize UT Austin technology.

In FY 2006 (latest reporting year from THECB), The University of Texas at Austin created more new companies than any other Texas institution of higher education.

Source: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board report, 2005-06

Selected UT Startups

CardioSpectra was created, received ETF funding, and sold within a four-year time frame.
Molecular Imprints has received $60+ million in out-of-state investment, $36 million in Federal funding, and $3 million from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund and continues to sponsor research at UT.
LabNow is a UT startup that has received over $36 million in venture funding and continues to sponsor research at UT.