Only in Austin does the journey from idea to market feel this seamless.
From cracking the code to Covid-19 to unlocking the power of lithium-ion batteries, the innovations that take shape at UT Austin grow from initial ideas into solutions that impact the world.
$968M
Cumulative amount raised.
104
Companies started.
Partnering with Discovery to Impact means accessing a simplified path to market-ready innovations. We’re here to cut through red tape (and burnt-orange tape, too) to bring research out of the labs and into the world.
Whether it’s semiconductors, cancer cells, or sustainable fashion, UT technologies lay the foundation for startups that change the world.
From a pen that detects cancer within seconds to waste treatment processes creating sustainable aviation fuel, the startups grown from UT Austin are rewriting the future today.
With access to mentorship opportunities and UT’s extensive research infrastructure, we help organizations connect with top talent to turn discoveries into impact.
Startup Spotlight
Founded by UT alums Jeff Cardenas and Dr. Nick Paine, Apptronik is a NASA-backed company that developed the world’s most advanced humanoid robot, now used by Mercedes-Benz in its manufacturing facilities.
September 24, 2025
AUSTIN, Texas — Discovery to Impact at The University of Texas at Austin has invested $250,000 from its UT Seed Fund in Nascent Materials Inc. Nascent is…
May 5, 2025
AUSTIN, Texas — South by Southwest Festival goers, local leaders and Longhorns recently gathered at UT’s Hook ’Em House at Antone’s to hear from an…
April 11, 2025
It’s safe, says UT’s Derek Haas, and getting safer and cheaper as a public-private team helps build a reactor worth its salt…
We built Innovation Tower to foster partnerships between university and industry that drive innovation and leave lasting impact. Located in Austin’s Innovation District, the tower sits at the intersection of cutting-edge UT research and Austin’s thriving marketplace, giving entrepreneurs the space to pursue fresh perspectives alongside industry leaders while providing Austin enterprises with unparalleled access to the university’s talent and technology.
READY TO CHANGE THE WORLD?
Whether you’re an investor interested in innovative startups or an entrepreneur looking for technologies to create a startup of your own, our Business Development team is equipped with all the resources you need to bring your vision to life — and to market.
Discovery to Impact partners with researchers, inventors, investors, and entrepreneurs at every step of their journey in relentless pursuit of changing the world.