About this programme
Austin Technology Incubator (ATI) is a deep tech incubator run out of Discovery to Impact at The University of Texas at Austin. Dr. George Kozmetsky founded it in 1989 with initial funding from the City of Austin, the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, Travis County, and an anonymous donor, and it calls itself the longest continuously operating technology incubator in the United States.
ATI focuses on deep tech ventures built on breakthrough scientific research and engineering, in sectors it groups as circular economy, energy, food and agtech, healthcare, microelectronics, mobility, and water. It does not provide cash funding directly. Instead it gives member companies customized mentorship, connections to expertise and professional networks, access to investors and funding sources, and educational and research laboratory opportunities through partnerships with the university and the Austin community.
Over its history ATI reports more than 300 member companies have graduated from the program, a combined $3 billion economic impact on Central Texas, 10 IPOs, more than 50 mergers and acquisitions, and $1.7 billion raised by member companies over the past 12 years.
How it works
ATI runs three separate tracks: Company Membership, which is the primary incubation program for deep tech startups; IMPACT Lab, a manufacturing prototype collaboration run with Austin Community College; and Student Associates, an educational role for students rather than a company program.
Admission is rolling and relationship-based rather than cohort-based. Applicants submit an online form, then the ATI team follows up for more detail, meetings are set up between the founders, ATI staff, and community experts, and the company goes through a due diligence review before being accepted as a member.
Who can apply
ATI looks for deep tech ventures grounded in breakthrough scientific research or engineering, with priority given to sustainability (circular economy, energy, food and agtech, mobility, water), healthcare, and microelectronics.
Applicants should have a working prototype that demonstrates the concept is feasible, and ideally a minimum viable product that shows evidence of customer demand.
No affiliation with UT Austin is required. The site states any company can apply.
How to apply
- Submit the online application, which asks for company name, website, and contact details; a description of the product or technology in 150 words or less; development stage from concept through commercial use; industry vertical; funding history and amounts raised to date; the type of support you need from ATI; and how you heard about ATI.
- The ATI team follows up for additional details on your application.
- You meet with founders, ATI staff, and community experts as part of the review.
- ATI conducts due diligence before deciding on membership.
Frequently asked
Does ATI invest cash directly into startups?
No. ATI's own pages describe its offering as mentorship, expert and investor connections, and lab or educational access, not a direct cash award.
Do I need to be affiliated with UT Austin to apply?
No. ATI's application page states that any company can apply, regardless of university affiliation.
What stage of company does ATI accept?
ATI expects at least a working prototype that shows the concept is feasible, and prefers applicants who already have a minimum viable product showing customer demand.
Is there a deadline to apply?
The official pages describe a rolling, relationship-based admissions process rather than fixed application deadlines.
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Reviewed 2026-09-25. Programmes change, so check eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private firm and is not part of any government body.