ic2

About the IC² Institute

The IC2 Institute was established at The University of Texas at Austin in 1977, as a think-and-do tank to explore the broad economic, technological, and human factors that drive economic development in regions. On the think side, IC2 is focused on innovation and entrepreneurship in rural areas and small isolated cities. As a do tank, IC2 creates programs that aim to have a positive impact on the world. In the U.S. and worldwide, the institute will continue to implement initiatives that lead to impactful and sustainable growth for communities and regions.

Leadership

Art Markman
Executive Director

Faculty Advisory Board

  • Dr Andrew Dillon
    UT School of Information
  • Dr Clay Spinuzzi
    UT Department of Rhetoric and Writing
  • Dr David Eaton
    LBJ School of Public Affairs
  • Dr Janet Ellzey
    UT Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering
  • Dr John Traphagan
    UT Department of Religious Studies, Anthropology
  • Doreen Lorenzo
    UT School of Design and Creative Technologies
  • Dr Luis Martins
    UT McCombs Department of Management

History

The University of Texas at Austin established the IC² Institute in 1977 to research the theory and practice of entrepreneurial wealth creation. The institute’s groundbreaking research defined strategies to build innovation ecosystems, including the Austin Model for community economic growth, while creating a body of work concerning the development of the technopolis.

The founder of IC², Dr. George Kozmetsky, emphasized the need for collaboration among the university, government, and private sectors and pushed the institute to address unstructured problems. Over the past four decades, the IC² Institute has been a leader in the creation of the modern business incubator, in the development of educational programs focused on innovation, and in sharing best practices for economic development in over 40 countries.

In 2018, The University of Texas at Austin appointed Art Markman, the Annabel Irion Worsham Centennial Professor of Psychology and Marketing, as director of the IC² Institute. Under Markman’s leadership the institute is advancing Kozmetsky’s vision of addressing significant new problems by focusing on the challenges of entrepreneurship in remote or rural areas and exploring new ways for business, government, and academia to work together on this issue.

About our name: In 1977 IC² was established as the Institute for Constructive Capitalism, and later the initials I, C, and C came to be associated with innovation, creativity, and capital. Today our name is simply IC² (pronounced “I C squared”) as we continue to use innovative methods to address issues of economic development.

Affiliated Programs

  • Austin Technology Incubator

    The Austin Technology Incubator (ATI) is the deep technology incubator of The University of Texas at Austin working with university and community entrepreneurs to commercialize their breakthrough innovations. Founded in 1989 at the IC² Institute by Dr. George Kozmetsky, ATI has used a customized approach to support entrepreneurs addressing the world’s most pressing problems by connecting startups with the expertise, relationships, and funding sources they need to succeed in the marketplace. ATI is home to a number of specialized incubators which include – circular economy, energy, food & agtech, healthcare, mobility, and water.

  • Global Innovation Lab

    To meet the needs of international partners and sponsors, IC² started the Global Commercialization Group in 2001, creating and delivering technology commercialization training and international business development programs around the world.  Now renamed the Global Innovation Lab, the team reports to the Senior Vice Provost for Global Engagement.  Global Innovation Lab trains and supports entrepreneurs in their communities to overcome local challenges, create jobs, and drive sustainable economic development.

  • Blackstone LaunchPad

    Blackstone LaunchPad at The University of Texas at Austin believes that entrepreneurship is for everyone. The LaunchPad is a centralized, cross-curricular, accessible hub for entrepreneurship on campus. They offer students, faculty, and staff a variety of resources at all stages of ideas and venture development

  • Human Dimensions of Organizations

    The University of Texas at Austin is proud to offer Human Dimensions of Organizations (HDO), which offers an Executive MA degree, Professional Training, and an Undergraduate Major. Drawing on an innovative combination of the humanities, behavioral sciences, and social sciences, HDO meets a need not addressed by existing education options: a deep understanding of people, the key components of any organization.

  • Master of Science in Technology Commercialization

    In 1996, the IC² Institute developed and launched the Master of Science in Science and Technology Commercialization degree program—the first ever technology commercialization degree program and the first UT Austin degree program with an option to take entirely online. Now at the UT Austin McCombs School of Business, the renamed Master of Science in Technology Commercialization (MSTC) program combines cutting-edge technology and hands-on entrepreneurship, resulting in the creation of innovative ventures and products.

Contact

The IC² Institute, The University of Texas at Austin 2815 San Gabriel St Austin, Texas 78705
512-475-8900 info@ic2.utexas.edu

Staff Directory

Name Unit/Title Office Phone Email
Jonathan Alba Social Science/Humanities Research Associate III IC2 2.112 512-475-8963 jalba@ic2.utexas.edu
Debra Dzwonczyk Director, Operations and Project Management IC2 3.114 512-305-0333 debra@ic2.utexas.edu
David Gibson Senior Research Scientist Emeritus IC2 3.112 512-475-8941 davidg@ic2.utexas.edu
James Jarrett Senior Research Scientist IC2 1.126 512-471-6990 jj@ic2.utexas.edu
Matt Kammer-Kerwick Senior Research Scientist IC2 1.120 512-475-8919 mattkk@ic2.utexas.edu
Bruce Kellison Director, Bureau of Business Research IC2 1.114 512-475-7813 bkellison@ic2.utexas.edu
Art Markman Executive Director IC2 2.110D 512-475-8900 markman@mail.utexas.edu
Gregory Pogue Deputy Executive Director IC2 2.110A 512-475-8961 gpogue@ic2.utexas.edu
Mary Rodriguez Administrative Services Officer I IC2 2.116C 512-471-0569 mrodriguez@ic2.utexas.edu
Dovile Vilkauskaite Communications Specialist IC2 2.104 512-475-8900 dovile@ic2.utexas.edu