Dan Sharp Talks about the UT Office of Technology Commercialization

Dan Sharp Talks about the UT Office of Technology Commercialization



Where are you from originally?

I grew up in the Willamette Valley in Oregon.


What university did you go to?

I received his J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law and B.S. in Electrical
Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin.


What brought you to Austin?

I came to UT in 1992 to study electrical engineering and have pretty much stayed here.


What is your group’s mission?

The Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) is the engine charged with ensuring an
efficient transfer of the university’s knowledge and discoveries into the marketplace for society’s
use and benefit. We protect, market and license the the university’s inventions and software.  We also
educate the university’s faculty on patent protection and commercialization processes as well as promote collaboration with industry,  investors and those within the tech commercialization ecosystem.


What need does it fulfill?

OTC serves many functions, but for purposes of this article, I think it is helpful to think
of OTC as the conduit from the lab to the private sector. We vet technology disclosures,
assume the risk of patenting the technology, locate partners, and in many instances, locate
funding sources for the underlying research to continue development.


What exactly does the OTC bring to startups?

Generally, the OTC will work with startups intended to develop UT intellectual property. This
typically is different from a startup that creates an app or a web portal. We are able to link a
startup company with technology that is being developed in a university lab, which is quite an
asset for a cash-starved startup.


What was the most challenging aspect of starting up the initiative?

There is a tendency to want to do too much and to lose focus on the core functions of the
OTC. It is vitally important that the OTC remains cognizant of the functions that it performs
well. We must focus on those functions and continue to develop those capabilities. There are
functions that we will never be able to perform particularly well and we need to make sure that
we outsource those functions to entities/people who can perform them well.


What advice do you have for entrepreneurs?

Entrepreneurship is awfully exciting. But it is also hard work and it is not a get rich quick scenario. The
advice I would give is embrace the difficulties and challenges since entrepreneurship is more art than
science. There is no way to truly learn how to start companies without doing it and struggling along the
way. Trite as it may sound, starting a company is a very hard way to make a living.


What Austin-based resource have you found to be the most helpful and why?

The people of Austin. The community in general is quite supportive. I think that is one of Austin’s
strengths.

Kyle Cox talks about the Austin Technology Incubator

Kyle Cox talks about the Austin Technology Incubator

Where are you from originally?

Atlanta, GA. Moved to Austin in 2006, left in 2008 and came back in 2009.

What university did you go to?

BSEE, Georgia Tech

MBA, Emory University

What brought you to Austin?

St. Jude Medical relocated the US Sales Division HQ here in Jan 2006 from Los Angeles

What is your group’s mission?

ATI has a dual mission of helping early-stage technology companies interested in Austin as a base with focus in the areas of BioSciences, Clean Energy, and IT/Wireless Enterprise Enabling Technologies along with providing a commercialization opportunity for UT-Austin students and faculty thru concepts and programs of applied entrepreneurship. 

What need does it fulfill?

ATI is a resource for entrepreneurs in the IT / Wireless, Clean Tech and Bio Tech industries or spaces at the University of Texas, the Central Texas region or for those who choose to move to Austin from other cities, states or countries.  We get our member companies connected to capital, talent, mentoring and professional services to make sure that their technology startup company has the best chance for long term success.

What exactly does it bring to startups?

As mentioned above, we get our member companies funded (ATI has an 85% success rate getting our member companies funded over the past 5 years).  We assist them in building their teams and finding talent, connections and introductions to potential customers, partners, professional services, mentors, talent and money.   We also assist them in the continuous discussion of strategy and direction of these companies.

What type of startup would benefit from your group?

Early-stage technology companies focused in the BioSciences, Clean Energy, and IT/Wireless Enterprise Enabling Technologies. ATI’s “sweet spot” for bringing a startup company on board as a member is one that is not too early or too late.  That means the founder(s) have spent some of their own money to get their idea into a prototype stage and are at the point of needing seed funding and mentoring to take their idea, product and company to that “next” stage.

What was the most challenging aspect of starting up the initiative?

ATI had been in business and a part of The University of Texas @ Austin for 24 years so we are not a start up and I was not around when this initiative was started.

What advice do you have for entrepreneurs?

Find experienced, smart individuals and talk to them about your idea and your plan for execution

What Austin-based resource have you found to be the most helpful andwhy?

Bijoy Goswami and his leadership with the ATXEntScene,  Bootstrap, and the ATXEquation.groups

Mitch Jacobson Talks about the Austin Technology Incubator

Mitch Jacobson Talks about the Austin Technology Incubator

Where are you from originally?  

Originally from Philadelphia, PA and grew up in Clearwater, FL

What university did you go to?  

 I have a business degree from University of Florida.

What brought you to Austin?  

I moved to Austin in 1989 to work for Dell and run one of the three sales organizations at Dell called Dell Direct.  I was with Dell for a total of 8 years.

What is your group’s mission? 

 The Austin Technology Incubator’s mission is to harnesses business, government and academic resources to provide strategic counsel, operational guidance, and infrastructure support to its member companies to help them transition into successful, high growth technology businesses. 

What need does it fulfill?

ATI is a resource for entrepreneurs in the IT / Wireless, Clean Tech and Bio Tech industries or spaces in the Central Texas region or for those who choose to move to Austin from other cities, states or countries.  We get our member companies connected to capital, talent, mentoring and professional services to make sure that their technology startup company has the best chance for long term success.

What exactly does it bring to startups?

As mentioned above, we get our member companies funded (ATI has an 85% success rate getting our member companies funded over the past 5 years).  We assist them in building their teams and finding talent, connections and introductions to potential customers, partners, professional services, mentors, talent and money.   We also assist them in the continuous discussion of strategy and direction of these companies.

What type of startup would benefit from your group?

ATI’s “sweet spot” for bringing a startup company on board as a member is one that is not too early or too late.  That means the founder(s) have spent some of their own money to get their idea into a prototype stage and are at the point of needing seed funding and mentoring to take their idea, product and company to that “next” stage.

What was the most challenging aspect of starting up the initiative?

ATI had been in business and a part of The University of Texas @ Austin for 24 years so we are not a start up and I was not around when this initiative was started. 

What advice do you have for entrepreneurs?

My advice for entrepreneurs is that once you have an idea for a product that solves a problem, make sure that you do a tremendous amount of research into the space that you are entering, and understanding the present competition that exists.  There is always competition no matter how good the ideal and technology may be.  Be persistent but not stubborn.  Be willing to change and pivot for the good of the long term success of the company.

What Austin-based resource have you found to be the most helpful and why?

The Austin Technology Incubator is just one resource in Austin and Central Texas for entrepreneurs.   Entrepreneurs in Austin are lucky in that many resources exist and we are partners with many other professional services companies, The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, The City of Austin, Austin Energy, The CleanTX Foundation, Symbiosis and The Rice Alliance, The Austin Technology Council, The Central Texas Angel Network, and many, many more. 

Cam Houser Talks about 3 Day Startup

Cam Houser Talks about 3 Day Startup

Where are you from originally?

Charlotte, NC

What university did you go to?

Davidson College for undergrad, grad school at UT.

What brought you to Austin?

I moved here to do two things that Austin is particularly famous for: doing tech startups and playing in bands.

The first company I worked is Amplifier (amplifier.com), a merch/ecommerce provider for folks with large online audiences. Amplifier’s largest customer at the time was Despair (despair.com), the makers of the most awesomely depressing stuff on the internet. As you might imagine, the founders of Despair had some pretty interesting philosophies about business and people and my worldview is still informed by knowing them. Paradoxically, I found it hugely inspiring.

I started playing in indie rock bands pretty much right away and did that for many years. Haven’t played a show in a while but it’ll happen again sooner or later.

What is your group’s mission?

Make entrepreneurship ubiquitous at the university level.  Right now there is only one Marck Zuckerberg—3 Day Startup wants to find thirty more at universities all over world and provide the greatest impact possible on finding success with their startup.

What need does it fulfill?

Other disciplines inside of universities provide practice-based approaches: chemistry students have labs, mechanical engineering students have machine shops, art students have studio sessions.  3 Day Startup provides answers this need for entrepreneurship by providing an environment and a model for learning-by-doing with an emphasis on customer feedback and mentorship.

On a more individual basis, university students face obstacles along their startup journey, whether it is finding cofounders, finding mentors, or learning what to focus on. Our program helps students with all of those challenges in a fast-paced, high-energy transformative experience.

On a community basis, university communities have a silo problem—CS students do not talk to Design students, who do not talk to Business students, and so on. 3 Day Startup brings these groups together in a meaningful way—there is very little in the way of meet-and-greet and smalltalk. It’s amazing how testing a business model and building a prototype at 3:00 am after too many energy drinks can bring people together. This bond holds long after the weekend and helps keep the disparate student clubs, groups, and classes connected and supports the ecosystem as a whole.

What exactly does it bring to startups?

3 Day Startup kickstarts student startups and connects them to the resources they need in university communities. We want these fledgling startups to experience 3 months of progress in 3 days and we do it with great people (students, mentors, facilitators) and a great environment where execution is everything.

What type of startup would benefit from your group?

We view the university as an amazing platform for startups and we provide huge benefits to early-stage startups led by students. We also help connect different members of the university ecosystem from clubs and groups to incubators and accelerators to professors and companies in the local community.

What was the most challenging aspect of starting up the initiative?

Managing our growth and scale worldwide has been difficult. I am certain that some of the individuals and partners behind our program have found improvements on our model that we have yet to scale out to the entirety of our global community.

What advice do you have for entrepreneurs?

1.      “Make something people want” (Paul Graham)

2.      “In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.” (Yogi Berra)

What Austin-based resource have you found to be the most helpful and why?

The University of Texas, Austin Technology Incubator, IC2, Capital Factory, and the companies that have sponsored 3 Day Startup programs in Austin have all been critical to our success.

Joe Zente Talks about the TAB Tribe

Joe Zente Talks about the Tab Tribe

Where are you from originally?  

South Orange, New Jersey. 

What university did you go to?    

 

New Jersey Institute of Technology, BS Chemical Engineering

What brought you to Austin?      

I was fortunate to travel extensively throughout my early 20s.   I felt that Austin would be the best place I could imagine to start a family and to launch businesses.

You lead the The Alternative Board (TAB) in Austin.  What is your group’s mission?  

Freedom Through Results, Results Through Responsibility…™

What need does it fulfill?     

The need of private business owners to be Free.  Free to pursue their Personal Vision and Business Vision—their own uniquely individual version of success.

What exactly does it bring to startups?   

Strategic Business Planning, Sales & Marketing Support, Best Practices, Coaching, Peer Advisory Boards, CEO Toolkit, Leadership Development, HR, Finance, Business Education, Entrepreneur Networking, Extensive CEO Resource Network.

What type of startup would benefit from your group?    

Any start-up entrepreneur who is unconditionally committed to improving their business and improving their life and to take action in the areas that need improvement.  Must also be willing to give and receive openly and honestly with a spirit of abundance.

What was the most challenging aspect of starting up the initiative?   

Attracting the Best and Brightest business experts in Texas to join our team to and become TAB Certified Facilitator Coaches. 

What advice do you have for entrepreneurs?  

Too many to list here, but for starters…:

·         Don’t try to re-invent the wheel.

·         Focused energy + unconditional commitment is overpowering.

·         You REALLY Don’t Know what you Don’t Know.      No matter how cool or unique you think your product or service is, ALL companies are Sales and Marketing companies.

What Austin-based resource have you found to be the most helpful and why?

The TAB-Austin and TABBoards International business owner community.  

The knowledge, wisdom, resources, abundance mentality, and spirit of sharing and spirit of sharing among the 10,000+ members of the TAB family never cease to humble and amaze me.

Robyn Metcalfe Talks about The Food Lab at the University of Texas Austin

Robyn Metcalfe Talks about The Food Lab at the University of Texas Austin

Where are you from originally?

Los Angeles, CA

What university did you go to?

University of Michigan for undergrad, BA, American Culture, Boston University for MA and Phd History.

What brought you to Austin?

Husband Bob and I wanted to move to a different location where we could spend more time outside being active and where we’d be challenged with different problems, have opportunities to learn about a new place/culture, apply our experiences.

What is your group’s mission?

The Food Lab (TFL) at UT formed in 2012 in response to the need to improve our global food system. While UT has many food-related courses, student organizations, and faculty who are engaged in food-related research, the university lacks an organizational framework for this critical topic, one that is increasingly vital to provisioning urban populations. TFL will create a UT brand around food, leveraging Austin’s reputation as a site for food innovation. TFL will also coordinate, collaborate, and provide a platform that will integrate the many activities and individuals on campus that are pursuing food-related projects.

The principles of TFL include experimentation, science, creativity, and innovation. It is politically neutral and embraces curiosity. Aesthetics and utility, bringing the sciences and humanities together form the basis for all TFL programs.

As a multidisciplinary project, TFL serves heighten student and faculty awareness of food issues, encourage and motivate them to engage in the creation of new and innovative food systems research, and to provide support to startups that leverage University research. By Spring, 2013, TFL has launched a conference, engaged students with food startups, assisted with food studies projects, and has initiated projects for UT faculty and students. TFL has built a network of partners in the Austin, Texas, national and international community that will provide opportunities for collaboration in the future.

What type of startup would benefit from your group?

Early stage startup with a solution for food production, distribution, packaging, safety, nutrition.

What was the most challenging aspect of starting up the initiative?

Large institutional administration, risk adverse and without a food-related infrastructure.

What advice do you have for entrepreneurs?

Be clear about your motive, what problem you’re solving and why your solution is different from anyone elses.

What Austin-based resource have you found to be the most helpful and why?

Sustainable Farm Center, The University of Texas, and the network of startup incubators, such as the Incubation Station.  All were extremely helpful by providing introductions to the food-related community. 

TXEN announces its new crowdfunding platform for equity investments

Over the past three years, we’ve been helping entrepreneur raise funding through physical funding forums throughout the state of Texas, and in these events, up to 10 entrepreneurs pitch to a panel of investors. Our track record has been astounding! We’ve calculated that we’ve helped entrepreneurs raise over $65 Million in funding through this process already!

Since our database has grown to over 600 active, accredited investors around the state, we are extending our program to include a crowdfunding platform on our website. Entrepreneurs will soon be able to post their deal to our website and we will help promote those deals to our investor database in various ways, such as webinar pitch sessions, email blasts, personal introductions, profile promotions, and more.

Of course, our physical events such as funding forums and funded cocktail receptions will continue as planned, but this will open up your deal to far more investors that we can get in our current events and close the distance gap around the state.

How does it work?

Approved entrepreneur deals will be posted to our crowdfunding platform and include executive summary information and more to promote your deal. Accredited investors will login to see deals, and if they want to learn more about yours, they click on an “I’m interested” button and we’ll line up a followup.

What does it cost?

We are not a broker/dealer so we don’t take commissions, success fees, or equity. We do charge a monthly flat fee to post on our site/month. Entrepreneurs will pay $500/month (with a 3 month minimum). After all, it takes time to meet investors and build a relationship. In that first three months, we help you with your documents (executive summary, pitch deck, and five year financials) and mail to our investors on a regular basis about your deal. Investors interested in your deal will be able to click the “interest” button and we’ll line up a conference call, webinar, or in-person meeting.

Entrepreneurs that commit to six months on our crowdfunding platform will receive several added services from us: you will be invited to a physical funding forum and to one of our funded cocktail receptions.

Remember, we are helping you raise funding, and not raising funding for you. Investors pay nothing to participate in our crowdfunding platform, but they must be accredited to have access to the deals on the site.

Find out more

Space on our crowdfunding platform will be limited and we will be taking only the deals that we believe we can help.

On March 22 at 2:00 CT, we will be hosting a webinar to go into detail about how our crowfunding platform works and give you the opportunity to ask questions. If you think your deal would be resonate with our investor network, we urge you to Apply Now our crowdfunding platform and participate in the webinar!

Jennifer Bullard Talks about Captivate

Where are you from originally?

Upstate New York, Hudson Falls specifically

What university did you go to?

SUNY Potsdam

What brought you to Austin?

Opportunities in the video game industry

What is your group’s mission?

Celebrate creativity, convergence, education and entrepreneurism in games, film and music.

What need does it fulfill?

Captivate provides a place for a variety of groups who do not have venues to showcase their work.  By providing a low-cost entry point pre-seed companies can gain market validation, students can compete for prestigious nation-wide prizes allowing the colleges validation of their programs.  Professors and teachers will have professional development and can interact with professionals, finding the support they need.  Conference material will have heavy focus on career development, hands-on professional development, entrepreneurial skills and much more.  

What exactly does it bring to startups?

In two words: Market Validation.  Captivate has a unique system that will provide each exhibitor with real data that can be used to validate a product.  Nowhere else can you get the opinion of thousands of people who have experienced your product for such a low price.

What type of startup would benefit from your group?

Any start up that utilizes digital media of any kind.  Whether traditionally tagged as games, social, web, film, animation, education or music all of these start-ups have more in common than is often thought. 

What was the most challenging aspect of starting up the initiative?

Getting everyone on the same page about what the conference will shape up to be and ensuring Captivate does not cross lines with SXSW and RTX.  Our goal is to enhance the culture of the creative industries, not detract from any other operating group.  Captivate’s offerings are distinctly different from other conferences.  One of our goals is to feed start-ups into SXSW’s exhibition floor.

What advice do you have for entrepreneurs?

Make networking one of your Rocks.  That is, figure out what types of people you don’t know and then go make them your friends.  A strong network will connect you to resources, provide feedback and often help you out in ways you haven’t considered.  I mentioned Rocks – you need to focus on the big stuff and keep it 2-3 at most.  Any more and you’ll lose focus on what is important and miss opportunities.

What Austin-based resource have you found to be the most helpful and why?

The City of Austin, Chamber of Commerce, Texas Film Commission, Music Commission and Texas Entrepreneur Networks have all been extremely helpful in getting Captivate off the ground!  Each organization has offered support and advice in some excellent ways.  I recommend all of these groups to anyone.

Best regards,

Hall T. 

Natalie Betts, Talks about the International Economic Development Program for the City of Austin

Natalie Betts, Acting International Economic Development Program for the City of Austin

Where are you from originally?

Tucson, Arizona.

What university did you go to?

I got my bachelor’s at Emory University in Atlanta, GA and my Masters of Public Affairs at Indiana University.

What brought you to Austin?

As an undergrad, I did a summer internship in Austin and fell in love with the city.  Austin was my top choice when looking for jobs after graduation from IU.

What is your group’s mission?

The City of Austin Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services Office’s (EGRSO) mission is to create a cultural and economic environment that enhances the vitality of the community in a manner that preserves Austin's character and environment.

What need does it fulfill?

We are the point of contact for businesses within the City government. We help small businesses navigate through the development process, oversee incentive deals, and help companies of all sizes expand in many ways, by promoting a strong quality of life, a healthy business climate and through international trade.

What exactly does it bring to startups?

Our office is a great connector and information provider for startups. It is our job to know the business landscape and connect businesses to the resources available to them. Through our business education classes and technical assistance we make sure that startups are armed with the knowledge and business acumen they need to be successful. We also provide market research information at our Business Solutions Center, calendars of events in our various newsletters, and information fairs like Meet the Lender. 

What type of startup would benefit from your group?

All of them! We have different services for different types of startups. We have our BizOpen service for startups that are opening a storefront, our Emerging Tech Program for technology startups, an International Trade and Investment Program for startups who are interested in utilizing international markets. If there is a service gap in the community, we want to hear about it, so get in touch! It’s our job to make sure every business has a strong foundation for growth.

What was the most challenging aspect of starting up the initiative?

Our current initiative is a funding forum that will take place at the International Association of Science Parks (IASP) North American Division Workshop here in Austin. Local, national, and international companies will be able to pitch to Austin investors.  The most challenging aspect of this initiative is that it is the first of its kind for this organization (IASP). We are introducing the concept of a funding forum and have to make the case for its relevance to science parks and areas of innovation around the world. Because of its newness, it is also putting Austin on the global map as a destination where startups can find funding to grow their business. This initiative would be MUCH more challenging if we didn’t have our partnership with TEN; we’re so glad to be bringing TEN’s expertise to this event.

What advice do you have for entrepreneurs?

Take advantage of the resources available at the City of Austin! Having a great business idea and being knowledgeable about running a business are not the same thing. We’re here to help you develop the business skills and connections necessary for your product or service to be successful in the marketplace and start bringing jobs and wealth into our community.

What Austin-based resource have you found to be the most helpful and why?

In my work at EGRSO I have focused mostly on international economic development. In that area, the Austin U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) is the most helpful resource available to Austin companies.  The USEAC provides free export counseling to businesses and can link local businesses to country, industry, and financing experts through their network of embassies around the world.

Robert Dobyns Talks about Funding Conzortia

Robert Dobyns Talks about Funding Conzortia

Aurora, Illinois (just outside Chicago)

What university did you go to?

What brought you to Houston?

I moved to Houston in 1989 (from Austin) to partner on a startup endeavor. My partner & I sold that business in 1993. I guess Houston kind of stuck to me, cause I’m still here.

What is your group’s mission?

To assist small businesses and creative individuals with achievement of their goals for capital acquisition via crowdfunding.

What need does it fulfill?

The most basic need of all businesses – startup & growth funding. The passage of the JOBS Act opens up a whole new financial market that entrepreneurs can tap to acquire the resources needed to start or expand their business. Equity crowdfunding will be a vital force in America’s financial future for the bracing of our economic stability and the creation of jobs.

What exactly does it bring to its members?

We offer online formats to allow individuals and businesses to present their financial needs using  social media sites likes like Facebook, Twitter, Tootzie and LinkedIn thereby aggregating funding from their “crowd” via our software platforms.

Who would benefit from your group?

We have a different online solution for different groups depending on their needs and focus:

For entrepreneurs , creatives, artists and app & game developers – CrowdWOWzer.com

For teen entrepreneurs 13-19 years of age – CrowdfundingKids.com

For businesses seeking equity funding in 2013 via their own mini IPO – Conzortia.com

For non-profits seeking funding for their projects – FundMyWish.com

We also have a free angel investor & venture capital search engine available at AngelInvestorSearchEngine.com that lists over 400 angel and venture capital groups that have funds available.

What was the most challenging aspect of starting up the initiative?

Finding the proper tech talent was one. We developed software with one team and totally scrapped it after testing, in favor of a more flavorful tech design with a different team.

Another issue that was a bit challenging was payment processing integration. Some of the more conventional payment processing solutions have steered away from crowdfunding platforms, not fully understanding the process. Others, like WePay, have openly courted our industry, realizing the tremendous benefits that we offer.

What advice do you have for entrepreneurs?

Just do it…. fix it later. Life & business are both about change. It will never be perfect, so get going & morph as needed. And if you need funding, consider how crowdfunding may fit into your plans.

What Houston-based resource have you found to be the most helpful and why?

S.C.O.R.E. Houston has many resources available to small businesses at little or no cost, including experienced mentors. They partner with Houston Community College on several initiatives to promote and grow small business in the Houston area, as well as nationwide.