The University of Texas at Austin is launching its 10,000-square-foot Innovation Labs startup incubator in North Austin. (Courtesy Discovery to Impact at The University of Texas at Austin)
The University of Texas at Austin opened a 10,000-square-foot laboratory facility in North Austin, UT Innovation Labs, to support emerging health care and life sciences companies.
The overview
The lab space for UT researchers and private sector tenants was announced in 2023 and is now launching under UT's Discovery to Impact startup program. The new wet lab—a research-oriented space where liquids such as chemicals or other biological matter are present—is aimed at accelerating the development of technologies in the life science space as that sector sees "expansive growth" in Central Texas, according to UT.
“We are excited to open the doors to UT Innovation Labs and welcome the next era of innovation in Austin underpinned by UT Austin’s academic leadership,” Mark Arnold, Discovery to Impact associate vice president, said in a statement. “UT Innovation Labs serves as a launchpad for companies that are merging the power of computation and AI with the intricacies of life sciences to bring to market products and treatments that will transform health care and benefit society.”
The modular UT Innovation Labs features 33 benches with a variety of "top-of-the-line" equipment and office spaces, according to the university. (Courtesy Discovery to Impact at The University of Texas at Austin)
The modular space features 33 benches with various lab equipment as well as offices and a dining area. Companies that join the labs will also have access to:
Discovery to Impact entrepreneurial resources, such as business development support and mentorship
UT's Discovery to Impact is actively seeking early-stage companies working on biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical projects to fill the space as part of a "thriving startup ecosystem" in the Austin area's vibrant life sciences community, the university said. UT marked the labs' opening with its inaugural BioBash life sciences event Nov. 6.
Zooming out
The UT Innovation Labs is part of the Parmer Labs development from Karlin Real Estate at 12829 Parmer Ridge Drive, Austin.
