Austin, TX – December 12, 2025 – From flexible solar films to AI-powered cancer screening tools, The University of Texas at Austin put the spotlight on the next wave of innovation this week during the Discovery to Impact Venture Showcase at the Innovation Tower. The event brought together alumni-, faculty-, and student-led ventures with leading investors, industry experts, and entrepreneurial mentors. The showcase served as more than just a series of presentations, it was a stage for UT-affiliated startups to tell their stories, demonstrate their technologies, and connect with the resources needed to take their ideas from discovery to real-world impact.

“Our goal was to create a bridge between the incredible talent at UT and the mentors, partners, and investors who can help scale these innovations,” said the program’s organizer Weston Waldo, assistant director for Longhorn Ventures, Discovery to Impact. “We wanted to give our entrepreneurs visibility, feedback, and connections that can truly accelerate their ventures.”

A Glimpse into the Future of Innovation
Ten startups took the stage during the showcase, each representing groundbreaking work across energy, healthcare, AI, and advanced materials. Rooted in deep-tech discovery, the majority of these ventures are commercializing intellectual property developed within UT’s research ecosystem, translating years of laboratory breakthroughs into market-ready solutions.

  • Shine Labs: Flexible, lightweight, perovskite solar films designed for low-load structures, opening doors to solar deployment where rigid panels aren’t feasible.
  • GaiaVerse Ltd: Graph-based decision-intelligence platform that reduces AI hallucinations in climate risk, logistics, and space systems.
  • Saight: AI-enhanced computer vision improving colorectal cancer screening accuracy and consistency.
  • Supra Elemental Recovery, Inc.: Innovative solutions for decentralized critical mineral recovery from mine tailings, e-waste, and industrial waste.
  • Nanoscale Labs: Manufacturing technology that reduces nanodevice production costs by nearly 1,000 times.
  • Materials Nova: Novel materials tackling global water purification and quality monitoring challenges.
  • IriSim: AI-driven platform for clinical communication training, integrating simulation, assessment, and analytics.
  • ARTS Surgical Inc.: Steerable drilling systems and flexible implants enabling curved-trajectory surgical access.
  • Turbo Power Semiconductor, Inc.: Advanced SiC and Si power chips enabling next-generation 800V architectures and solid-state transformers to power AI data centers with superior efficiency and lower cost.
  • CerebroSonic: Bedside 4D neuromonitoring system providing real-time visualization of brain structures and blood flow in critical care settings.


For participants, the event served as a critical validation point in their commercial journey.

“Transitioning from a researcher to a CEO has been a journey of rapid evolution, and events like this are vital for that growth,” said Dr. Gabriel Cossio, CEO of Nanoscale Labs. “The showcase allowed us to build relationships with partners who are ready to back science-led innovation.”

Investors Engaged with UT Innovation

The event featured a curated group of venture capitalists and angel investors, including Drive Capital, Lontra Ventures, Central Texas Angel Network, Silverton Partners, NuFund Ventures, Reflextion Capital, First Mile VC, Pappas Capital, Eco Sphere VC, and Live Oak VC. This diverse group represented a broad range of sectors and investment experience, offering startups access to funding, mentorship, and strategic connections.

For faculty founders, the quality of the audience was paramount. “For us, the challenge isn’t just finding capital but finding ‘smart capital’—investors who truly grasp the complexities of deep tech,” noted Dr. Sofia Hurtado, CEO/Founder of Saight. “This event successfully bridged that gap, putting us in front of venture groups that are as excited about the future of computing and healthcare systems as we are.”

Looking Ahead

“Bringing deep technology from the laboratory to the commercial market is a marathon, not a sprint,” said Dr. Donglei Emma Fan, founder of Materials Nova. “The showcase was a fantastic event which gave us the opportunity to connect with those who understand the transformative potential of advanced materials.”

Investors are also encouraged to apply to attend future showcases to connect with founders and participate in shaping the next generation of innovation.

“The showcase is as much about building relationships and catalyzing real-world impact as it is about the pitches,” Waldo emphasized. “Our goal is to help startups succeed while strengthening UT Austin’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.”



Want to showcase your startup?


Want to join as an investor or advisor?

Contact weston waldo


Have general questions?

send us an email