TechLaunch: From invention to impact
Through this 40-hour online advanced training, 15 teams will have the chance to learn entrepreneurial skills to transform their cutting-edge research into market-ready solutions. Learn more and apply.
Through this 40-hour online advanced training, 15 teams will have the chance to learn entrepreneurial skills to transform their cutting-edge research into market-ready solutions. Learn more and apply.
The UT Austin Portugal Program fosters entrepreneurial thinking in academic research to create a thriving innovation ecosystem throughout Portugal. Therefore, it is organizing the first edition of TechLaunch – a groundbreaking, hands-on online advanced training program inspired by the successful NSF I-CorpsTM program in the United States. Certified U.S. instructors will support participants in Portugal in conducting deep customer discovery to explore the commercial viability of their deep technology solutions and spur innovation in the marketplace.
TechLaunch provides an introductory foundation for participants to explore the viability of business ideas. This bootcamp is open to all entrepreneurial minds — researchers, engineers, scientists, artists, musicians, and business and creative minds — who are ready to solve problems and turn their ideas into potential businesses. Applicants can be affiliated to universities, research labs, interface institutions and companies, as long as those organizations are based in Portugal.
The bootcamp is intentionally oriented to simulate the time- and cash-constrained environments in which startups operate, with instructors who will push, challenge, and question your business idea to provide direct, open, and constructive feedback. Teams will conduct customer discovery interviews to gain real-world insight into their customer bases and learn how to adjust their proposed business models based on market needs.
This 40-hour online bootcamp will happen between December 10, 2024, and February 21, 2025 comprising a pre-launch event, workshops, webinars, and a closing event. You may find more details about the program below.
To participate, you must apply as a team. Each team should have 2 to 4 participants. There are three types of team members: Entrepreneurial Lead (EL), Technical Lead (TL), and Team Mentor (TM), plus any additional co-Entrepreneurial Leads (co-ELs), co-Technical Leads (co-TLs), or co-Team Mentors (co-TMs). At least one EL and one TL are mandatory for a team to be eligible.
Nine out of ten startups fail.
Half of all failures are attributed to the lack of market need for the product or service.
You’ll explore the viability of your business ideas through the customer discovery process, gain real-world insight into customer bases, and learn how to adjust your proposed business model based on market needs.
TechLaunch helps you learn the ropes of entrepreneurship, understand industry requirements and challenges, and ultimately transform your research from ideation to commercialization.
Applications are open until November 18 (11:59 p.m., Lisbon time). Make sure to secure your seat, by filling out the registration form.
*All hours according to Lisbon time zone (GMT). Virtual participation using Zoom Platform.
Monday, January 13 (3.30 pm – 7.30 pm)
Tuesday, January 14 (3.30 pm – 5.30 pm)
Wednesday, January 15 (3.30 pm – 9.30 pm)
Thursday, January 16 (3.30 pm – 5.30 pm)
Friday, January 17 (3.30 pm – 5.30 pm)
Fridays
*Lectures will be led by one instructor each week (alternating)
Thursday, February 20 (3.30 pm – 7 pm)
Thursday, February 21 (2pm – 6 pm)
More information soon.
Check out a Success Story involving a UT Austin Portugal team that has been through the I-CorpsTM program:
Curious about other success cases? Click here.
Deep technology (deep tech) describes technologically based enterprises that work to overcome scientific and/or engineering challenges through fostering innovative solutions and approaches. Deep tech centers research and development focused on the successful commercialization of innovative ideas and valuable intellectual property.
This program requires a substantial time commitment. All team members are required to attend program sessions, however, the time investment varies for each role. Team Mentors (TMs) will commit approximately 5-10 hours/week, Technical Leads (TLs) will commit approximately 10 hours/week, and Entrepreneurial Leads (ELs) will commit approximately 30 hours/week to TechLaunch programming and customer discovery.
Yes, the TechLaunch bootcamp is open to individuals affiliated not only to universities but also research labs, interface institutions and companies, as long as those organizations are based in Portugal.
Teams are required to participate in all sessions and conduct a minimum of 100 customer discovery interviews by the closing workshop.
Each team should have 2 to 4 members. There are three types of team members: Entrepreneurial Lead (EL), Technical Lead (TL), and Team Mentor (TM), plus any additional co-Entrepreneurial Leads (co-ELs), co-Technical Leads (co-TLs), or co-Team Mentors (co-TMs). At least one EL and one TL are mandatory for a team to be elegible.
Entrepreneurial Leads should be a postdoctoral scholar, graduate, or other student or other personnel with relevant knowledge of the technology and a deep commitment to investigate the commercial landscape surrounding the innovation. This role is responsible for the transition of technology should the project demonstrate the potential for commercial viability.
The Technical Lead will typically be a faculty member, senior research scientist, or postdoctoral scholar with technical expertise in the team’s technology. This role also serves as the proposal Principal Investigator (PI).
The Team Mentor will typically be an experienced entrepreneur with proximity to the institution and previous experience in transitioning technology out of academic labs and into the commercialization process; they must be a third-party resource. This role is responsible for advising the team through the TechLaunch process and helping the team navigate the business ecosystem.
In most cases, teams perform better if they have a TM. Hence, TMs are highly recommended but not mandatory. Teams do not have to identify a mentor prior to program application. Teams can apply with one EL and one TL and try to find a TM before the bootcamp’s kickoff.
Yes, our team can assist with program applications. Please contact Marco Bravo, Co-Principal Investigator and Executive Director at UT Austin (bravo@austin.utexas.edu).
If a faculty member does not have the time to participate in the TechLaunch bootcamp, they can consider involving a co-investigator or collaborator who can take on the role of the Technical Lead (TL) or Principal Investigator (PI). The TL/PI is responsible for representing the academic/research institution/company and overseeing the project. It is crucial to identify someone who has the necessary time availability, expertise, and commitment to fulfill the responsibilities of the TL/PI role.
TechLaunch teams will have 2-4 members who can participate in all interviews, office hours, and online sessions workshops, and customer discovery efforts; proficiency in the research or innovation, with an idea to incorporate it into a product or service; and the rights to practice intellectual property. Teams must have at least one EL and one TL.
The innovation or research should be R&D&I-based intellectual property; demonstrate promise for commercialization; and/or be a “deep tech discovery” from fundamental STEM-based research.
For any further queries, send an email to Marco Bravo, Co-Principal Investigator and Executive Director at UT Austin – bravo@austin.utexas.edu.