The University of Texas at Dallas will soon showcase start-up companies created by students and faculty members using technology developed at the University.

The event, scheduled for April 20, is the first UT Dallas Research and New Venture Showcase to highlight UT Dallas start-up companies.  The companies are based on research spanning the range of technology from biosensors to new materials and software.

UT Dallas Venture Showcase

Celebrating the Venture Development Center’s opening last year were (from left) Robert Robb, associate vice president for technology commercialization; Bill Keffler, the city manager for Richardson; Dr. Andrew Blanchard, UT Dallas vice provost; and Dr. Bruce Gnade, the University’s vice president for research.

“The purpose of this event is to showcase UT Dallas innovations and to provide a forum for interaction between UT Dallas start-ups and potential collaborators, partners and investors in the region,” said Becky Stoughton, director of the UT Dallas Office of Technology Commercialization.

“Most of the companies are based on technology derived from research conducted at UT Dallas, said Madison Pedigo, associate director of innovation and entrepreneurship programs.  “We are also including one student presentation from the 2011 UT Dallas Business Idea Competition as an example of our student initiatives.”

“Start-up companies, play a major role in the U.S. and global economies and spur new innovations and job creation,” said Robert Robb, associate vice president for technology commercialization. The event will feature presentations by company executives, UT Dallas President David E. Daniel, and Lou Berneman of Osage University Partners, as well as breakout sessions at which attendees can interact with the companies one-on-one.

Research and New Venture Showcase

When: 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Friday, April 20.

Where: Davidson Auditorium in the Naveen Jindal School of Management

Registration: Available online. Cost of admission is $35 for the general public, $25 for faculty and $10 for students. The price includes breakfast, lunch and a networking reception.

More information: Email Becky Stoughton

“UT Dallas is committed to transferring commercially important technologies from the University to the marketplace and advancing its promising start-up companies,” Robb said.

The University’s Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) was created in 2008.  Since that time, 201 new inventions have been created and 23 patents have issued.  Moreover, 11 new companies have been formed and 21 licenses have been executed with those companies and others to facilitate the transfer of technology from the lab to the marketplace.  UT Dallas’ ratios both of licenses and start-ups to research expenditures are more than double the U.S. average for universities, according to data published by the Association of University Technology Managers.

Last fall, UT Dallas opened the Venture Development Center as a dedicated facility for housing spinoff companies affiliated with the University. Its goal is to facilitate the launch of companies by providing economical office and lab space, offering mentoring services, and facilitating access to interns close to campus.