The University of Texas at Austin has reported significant progress in turning its research discoveries into commercial products and services, according to the inaugural annual report from Discovery to Impact. The report outlines efforts to transfer university research into the commercial sector through startup formation, industry partnerships, and technology licensing.
“Research breakthroughs discovered by UT faculty and innovators produce life-changing products and services that benefit people across Texas and around the world,” said UT President Jim Davis. “From the forefront of AI and deep tech to reimaging material sciences and the future of health care, UT remains committed to investing in innovation, cultivating a culture of entrepreneurship, and recruiting world-class talent.”
In 2025, university researchers submitted 300 invention disclosures, marking a 15% increase over the previous fiscal year. These disclosures led to 154 new patent applications, 112 new licensing agreements, and 16 corporate-sponsored research agreements.
Andrew Maas, assistant vice president of technology transfer for Discovery to Impact, credited both researchers and staff for these results. “The credit for these achievements goes to our amazing researchers and scientists as well as to the Discovery to Impact team who analyze market opportunities and technology readiness to determine an invention’s commercialization potential,” Maas said. “This leads to discoveries with more meaningful real-life applications that are better positioned for licensing or other partnerships for commercialization.”
Currently, the university maintains over 850 active license agreements with companies using its intellectual property. There are also more than 650 technologies available for licensing in fields such as emerging technology, advanced materials, energy solutions, and health sciences.
Mark Arnold, associate vice president of Discovery to Impact and managing director of Longhorn Ventures, highlighted how increased invention disclosures have contributed financially. “This fiscal year, we have grown UT’s invention disclosures, patents, technology licenses, and industry research agreements that result in millions of dollars in revenue that is reinvested back into UT’s research enterprise to further innovation and venture creation,” Arnold said.
The university has also developed a strong pipeline for startups. According to PitchBook 2025 rankings, UT Austin is second among public universities nationally in startup creation and eighth globally among all universities. Over the past three academic years, it launched 48 startups led by students or faculty members. Hundreds more startups have received support from Discovery to Impact over three years.
Financial support for early-stage ventures comes from the $10 million UT Seed Fund managed by Discovery to Impact. In 2025 alone, four new startups were funded across computer science, physical sciences, and life sciences.
A new faculty ambassador program was launched in 2025 with faculty members serving as peer resources within colleges and schools. Fernanda Leite, interim vice president for research at UT Austin said: “By activating trusted faculty liaisons in every school and college, we aim to accelerate translation of research into real-world impact — strengthening , enabling seamless licensing, and scaling up innovations that change lives across Texas and beyond.”
Discovery to Impact also manages innovation spaces including the Texas Innovation Center as well as recently opened facilities like Innovation Tower and UT Innovation Labs.
“We have big ambitions to invest early and strategically in the most promising ideas and inventions while scaling up the support, programs and spaces that allow UT innovators and entrepreneurs to grow and thrive,” Arnold said.
