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At the University of Houston, we don’t expect every founder to follow the same path, and we’re built for that. UH Innovation meets entrepreneurs where they are—whether it’s a back-of-the-napkin idea, a pitch deck in progress, or a research breakthrough ready for market. Our layered programs guide you from concept to commercialization, with personalized support at every step.
Not every researcher or aspiring entrepreneur walks in ready to launch a company. Some arrive with an idea and a question. Others have a plan but don’t know how to pitch it. That’s why UH Innovation’s startup programs aren’t linear, they’re layered. Each one meets the founder exactly where they are, offering the right tools to take the next step.
The first stop in the journey is Discovery Lab, a four-week, one-on-one experience designed for faculty or innovators who need space to think. The goal isn’t to launch yet, it’s to ask the hard questions, vet feasibility, and refine the idea. The final deliverable? A simplified business model that helps founders visualize their pathway to impact.
This program is where people begin to transition from research into real-world thinking.
Once a founder has clarity, they can move into the Innovator to Founder program, a structured, three-month accelerator that focuses on execution. They build a full business plan, craft their story, and prepare for Pitch Day, where they present to a panel of judges, potential funders, and partners.
More than just exposure, this phase offers visibility, confidence, and often momentum.
Every founder’s journey looks different, and UH embraces that. Some show up with fully formed prototypes, while others arrive with nothing more than curiosity. UH Innovation has programs for each phase of the startup process.
If a team is still exploring, they’re welcomed into Discovery Lab, a four-week program focused on brainstorming and idea refinement. For those who are ready for a more structured program, they can explore Innovator to Founder, a 3-month accelerator focused on building business models, preparing for funding, and pitching to investors.
And for those chasing federal SBIR or STTR grants? OTTI can help them with grant writing support and peer mentors who’ve done it before.
UH Innovation serves from the pre-seed, seed, and early-stage. Once startups begin to scale, they slowly migrate out of the ecosystem.