Austin Technology Incubator2027 deadline, funding, equity and how to apply
UT Austin's deep tech incubator, active since 1989. It takes a 2% equity stake, gives no direct funding and admits about 8% of applicants for 1 to 3 years of support.
- No cash investment
- Funding
- 2%
- Equity
- 1 to 3 years on average
- Program length
- Rolling
- Applications
About Austin Technology Incubator
The Austin Technology Incubator (ATI) is the deep tech incubator of The University of Texas at Austin. It is a unit of Discovery to Impact, UT's commercialization group, and is based at 2815 San Gabriel Street in Austin. ATI started in 1989 and calls itself the longest active technology incubator in the United States. It is an incubator, not a funded accelerator.
ATI's terms are specific. It does not provide direct funding to member companies. Instead, it requires a 2% equity stake in each company it accepts. In return, members get co-working space with desks, conference rooms and presentation rooms, access to talent they could not otherwise afford and introductions to funding sources. Companies stay one to three years on average.
ATI works across circular economy, energy, food and agtech, healthcare, microelectronics, mobility and water. It describes its energy program as one of the longest established clean tech incubation programs in the country. ATI also runs IMPACT Lab, hosted by Austin Community College, Southwest I-Corps, student programs and TEXVMS, a venture mentoring service.
Admission is selective. ATI says it admitted 8% of about 1,000 applicants over five years. Any company can apply. There is no need to use UT technology or to be based in Austin, though most members are local. Founders must be able to work legally in the US. ATI reports a $3B economic impact in Central Texas over 30 years. Alumni include Yotta Energy, which was selected for the GSA Green Proving Ground program.
What Austin Technology Incubator looks for
ATI looks for deep tech startups with breakthrough technology in its focus sectors: circular economy, energy, food and agtech, healthcare, microelectronics, mobility and water. Any company can apply, and UT technology is not required. Individual founders can apply if their technology fits the deep tech model, and the company does not need to be formed yet, since ATI partners can help with setup. Founders must be eligible to work in the US. With an 8% admission rate, a clear technical edge matters.
How the Austin Technology Incubator program works
ATI uses rolling admissions and has no fixed cohort calendar. Accepted companies join as members and stay as long as the support helps, usually one to three years. Members use ATI's co-working space, with desks, conference rooms and presentation rooms.
Since ATI does not invest cash, its role is to give access to talent and to introduce companies to funding sources. Support is organized by sector, with focus areas from energy to microelectronics. Related programs sit alongside the incubator: Southwest I-Corps, TEXVMS for venture mentoring, IMPACT Lab hosted by Austin Community College, and student programs at UT.
ATI does not sign NDAs, so plan what you share in early conversations.
How to apply to Austin Technology Incubator
- 1Fill in ATI's short online form about your company and technology.
- 2If ATI sees a fit, complete the more detailed application.
- 3Meet with ATI staff for an internal review meeting.
- 4Give a formal presentation to ATI staff and Austin business and technology experts.
- 5If accepted, agree to ATI's 2% equity stake and join as a member company.
Startup perks after acceptance
Accelerator startups qualify for most startup credit programs. These are the ones founders claim first.
Austin Technology Incubator vs similar accelerators
| Program | Funding | Equity | Location | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Technology Incubator | No cash investment | 2% | Austin | Rolling admissions |
| Antler | Up to $500K | Varies | 30 locations including New York, San Francisco, Austin, London, Singapore, Sydney | Rolling admissions |
| Capital Factory | No cash investment | Common stock for All Acce… | Austin, TX | Rolling admissions |
| Wayra (Telefónica) | Up to $5.8M | Minority stake | Madrid | Rolling admissions |
| EIC Accelerator | Up to $2.9M | None on grant | EU | November 4, 2026 (8 days left) |
| PearX | Up to $2M | ~7% | San Francisco Bay Area | Rolling admissions |
Austin Technology Incubator FAQ
When is the Austin Technology Incubator application deadline?+
Austin Technology Incubator reviews applications on a rolling basis, so you can apply at any time.
Does the Austin Technology Incubator take equity?+
Yes. ATI requires a 2% equity stake in each company it accepts. It does not provide direct funding to members. In exchange for the equity, companies get co-working space, access to talent they could not otherwise afford and introductions to funding sources over a typical stay of one to three years.
Do I need to be a UT Austin student or use UT technology?+
No. Any company can apply, even though ATI is part of UT Austin. There is no requirement to be based on UT technology. Individual entrepreneurs can also apply if their technology fits ATI's deep tech model. ATI runs separate student programs for UT students as well.
How selective is ATI?+
Quite selective. ATI says it admitted 8% of the roughly 1,000 applicants it received over the past five years into membership. Admissions are rolling. The process moves from a short online form to a detailed application, an internal staff meeting and a final presentation to staff and local experts.
Do I have to be in Austin to join ATI?+
No, but most members are local. ATI's FAQ says an Austin location is not a requirement. Founders do not need to be US citizens, but they must be legally eligible to work in the US. Members get the most from ATI by using its co-working space in Austin.
Sources: ati.utexas.edu, ati.utexas.edu, builtinaustin.com