image: UTA's MavPitch competition, where students can win startup funds.
Credit: Photo courtesy UT Arlington
Universities are engines for economic growth that today are supporting technology development, innovation and economic advancement as never before.
With the launch of its Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology Development (CETD), The University of Texas at Arlington is beginning a new era of support for student and faculty entrepreneurship. The center, whose mandate also includes supporting the region’s vibrant innovation economy, will expand UTA’s engagement with public and private partners everywhere.
“CETD fosters a vibrant and supportive atmosphere for anyone seeking to innovate, commercialize new technologies or launch companies for the betterment of our North Texas communities and the global economy,” said Paul Corson, executive director of CETD. “Over the coming years, we will expand the tools and resources we offer to campus and to the community—from educational and networking opportunities to mentorship and startup support programs—to help grow our exceptional innovative capacity.”
Since joining UTA in September, Corson has focused on revitalizing UTA’ s entrepreneurship support offerings. CETD’s new initiatives include specialized programming, like a series of workshops for the recently established Arlington Latino Chamber of Commerce, as well as the relaunching of UTA’s Student Entrepreneurship Club.
CETD has also begun collaborating with 101 Center Street to explore a 1 Million Cups program for Arlington. The community-based program provides a supportive, inclusive space for entrepreneurs to gather and connect as they work through business challenges and identify opportunities. In addition, MavMarket, another campus-based project, provides applied entrepreneurial learning opportunities for student entrepreneurs to market and hone their product and service offerings.
These new efforts enhance existing opportunities like EpicMavs, which connects UTA with the North Texas business community through expert speakers; an intensive summer program for entrepreneurs called Deep Dive; and the MavPitch competition, where students can win startup funds.
“North Texas is such fertile ground for entrepreneurship and innovation. It is incredible to see how excited UTA and Arlington are to advance home-grown talent, technologies and startups,” said Corson.
“It’s exciting to see the engagement and enthusiasm from UTA’s entrepreneurial community ramp up,” said Kate C. Miller, vice president for research and innovation. “CETD’s emphasis on mentoring our young and emerging business leaders by connecting them with resources on and off campus will transform UTA-generated research and ideas into the real-world solutions that our society needs and wants.”