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 small or remote cities outside major urban corridors. 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
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Deputy Executive Director
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Director, Operations and Project Management
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Director, Bureau of Business Research
Advisory Board
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Duncan Stewart
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Sarah Riggs Amico
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Ellen RayStill Water Foundation
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Mario Espinoza
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Chris Jarvis
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Mark CalhounCalhoun Bhella & Sechrest LLP
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Jack MartinMartin Frost & Hill
Faculty Advisory Board
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Dr Andrew Dillon
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Dr Clay Spinuzzi
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Dr David Eaton
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Dr Janet Ellzey
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Dr John Traphagan
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Doreen Lorenzo
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Dr Luis Martins
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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.