The Central Texas Regional Center of Innovation and Commercialization (CenTex RCIC) is a virtual center that operates out of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and serves as a catalyst for emerging technology research, development, commercialization, and start-up incubation. In an effort to keep Texas globally competitive, the CenTex RCIC is an enabler for coordinating the region’s research entities and technology firms in regards to the Emerging Technology Fund. The center focuses on integrating technology development and commercialization.

Serving a 15-county region, the CenTex RCIC acts as the operational platform for the submittal and management of commercialization project application. Commercialization Subchapter D applications are accepted from Travis, Hays, Williamson, Caldwell, Bastrop, Lee, Fayetteville, Milam, Burnet, Bell, Falls, Lampasas, Mills, Hamilton and Coryell counties of Texas.

The CenTex RCIC is managed by the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce under arrangement with the Office of the Governor of Texas. Members of this center’s advisory council include representatives from SEMATECH, University of Texas at Austin Office of Technology Commercialization, Heart of Texas Defense Alliance, Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce, Temple Economic Development Council, Texas State University, Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, Austin Technology Council and Temple College. The CenTex RCIC is dedicated to using these resources to provide the infrastructure to create the most effective innovation and ecosystem for technology companies in the world.

• Isaac Barchas, Austin Technology Incubator
• John Clary, Temple EDC
• Bill Covington, Texas State University
• John Crutchfield, Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce
• John Doggett, The University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business
• Randy Goodall, SEMATECH
• Neil Iscoe, The University of Texas at Austin, Office of Technology Commercialization
• Jeff King, Haynes and Boone
• Marc Nigliazzo, Temple College
• Bill Parry, Heart of Texas Defense Alliance
• Dave Porter, Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce
• Jamie Rhodes, Perceptive Sciences
• Dan Sullivan, Image Trends, Inc.
• Pete Taylor, Heart of Texas Defense Alliance

In fulfilling its mission, the CenTex RCIC :

• Cultivates collaboration between technology companies and researchers and the investment community,
• Identifies technologies within research institutions or companies that have market potential and could generate significant economic growth in Texas,
• Facilitates incubation and other services that accelerate the commercialization process,
• Acts as the operational platform for the submittal and management of commercialization project applications requesting grants from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund,
• Grows the innovation ecosystem in both Central Texas and the state.

In June 2005, at the request of Governor Rick Perry, the Texas Legislature approved HB1765 creating the $200 million Emerging Technology Fund (TETF). The primary goals established for the TETF are:

• Expediting innovation and commercialization of research
• Attracting, creating or expanding private sector entities that will promote substantial increases in high quality jobs
• Increasing Texas higher education applied research capabilities

Additionally, Governor Perry appointed an Emerging Technology 17-member advisory committee to make recommendations to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House on collaborations, investments, research grants and recruitment associated with the TETF.

Priority is given to emerging technology projects that have a reasonable probability of enhancing Texas global competitiveness, that are collaborative and/or matched with non-state funds, that have a demonstrable economic development benefit, and/or that may result in a significant medical or scientific breakthrough. The TETF funds are allocated:

• $100 million is reserved to Regional Centers of Innovation and Commercialization project activity (Subchapter D)
• $50 million is reserved for emerging technology research matching grants (Subchapter E)
• $50 million is reserved for acquisition of research superiority grants (Subchapter F)

The CenTex RCIC accepts commercialization Subchapter D applications from Travis, Hays, Williamson, Caldwell, Bastrop, Lee, Fayetteville, Milam, Burnet, Bell, Falls, Lampasas, Mills, Hamilton and Coryell counties of Texas.

Regional review panels made up of technology, commercialization, and economic development experts will score all valid proposals and nominate the top submissions to the Governor’s Office for further consideration by the statewide TETF Committee.

Special Notes:

• Applicants are directed to apply to the RCIC in the region in which a demonstrable economic benefit will result.
• In order to be considered for funding under the Commercialization grants program (Subchapter D), all submissions should be a collaborative effort with a public or private institute of higher education in the state. This is in accordance with the intent specified in Sec.490.151 of the enabling legislation- "Sec. 490.151. USE OF MONEY FOR INCENTIVES. (a) Amounts allocated from the fund for use as provided by this subchapter shall be reserved for incentives for private or nonprofit entities to collaborate with public or private institutions of higher education in this state on emerging technology projects with a demonstrable economic benefit to this state."
• Examples of collaboration include but are not limited to: licensing university technologies; contracting for sponsored research; teaming with a business school for market research or business plan development; developing university or community college internship/ training programs; and contracting for prototype testing.

Application: The application has been revised by the state ETF Committee for the third round of submissions. Please download application version 5 (.doc).

Submission Process: Send the completed application form and all required attachments (in electronic format) to: applications@austinchamber.com If your application and associated attachments are over 5MB in size, send the MS Word application and the attachments in separate emails.

Submission Fee: Submission Fee: A $250 filing fee is required for each proposal submitted to an RCIC. No filing fee is required for Research Grant Proposals submitted directly to the Governor’s office. Payment by check (made payable to GACC/Central Texas RCIC) is due at the time of proposal submission. The evaluation of a proposal will not proceed until payment is received. Payment must be postmarked on or before the quarterly submission deadlines. Pease send checks to:

Jan Riepen
GACC/Central Texas RCIC
210 Barton Springs Rd., Suite 400
Austin, TX 78704

Nomination Periods & Deadlines: The CenTex RCIC accepts proposals continuously; however, grants are awarded by the state on a quarterly basis. The submission period for the next scheduled award period will close September 26^th at 5:00pm CST.

Guidance: For further background: 1) download a copy of the state's Emerging Technology Fund Presentation (.ppt), 2) read the ETF legislation itself (.doc) (HB1765), 3) review the fund's Guiding Principles (.doc) and, examine the state's proposal Scoring Criteria (.xls). The state has also issued a sample capitalization table (.pdf), a cap table is a required element of the new application.

• Aerospace
• Biotechnology
• Computer & Software Technology
• Defense
• Energy
• Information
• Life Sciences
• Manufactured Energy Systems
• Medicine
• Nanotechnology
• Petroleum Refining & Chemical Processes
• Semiconductors
• Other Pursuits (as determined by the Governor in consultation with the Lt. Governor and Speaker of the House)

Subchapter E funds (Research Matching Grants) are for matching non-state funding. RMG awards will be prioritized for significant technology commercialization projects undertaken by industry in partnership with Texas public and private institutions of higher education. Strong preference will be given to those projects that 1) leverage major federal matching grant opportunities and address critical industry needs that enhance the competitiveness of existing and new technology companies in Texas or 2) leverage federal commercialization grant opportunities (i.e., SBIR, STTR, Nist ATP). While strong preference is given to federal matches, other non-federal matching sources will be considered. The major grants can be made to either the consortia or a higher education institution. Click here for Research Matching Grant FAQs(pdf).

Submission Process: Send the completed application form and all required attachments (in electronic format) to: applications@austinchamber.com If your application and associated attachments are over 5MB in size, send the MS Word application and the attachments in separate emails.

For more information on the Research Matching Grant, visit the state’s website or contact the Office of the Governor, Economic Development and Toursim, 512.463.1473. The application is available for download here (.doc).

Subchapter F funds (Research Superiority Acquisition of Talent Grants) are to be used to acquire new or enhanced existing research superiority (talent) at public institutions of higher education in this state. These applications are to be submitted to the Office of the Governor at the above address.

For more information on the Research Superiority Acquisition of Talent Grant, visit the state’s website. Contact the Office of the Governor, Economic Development and Toursim, 512.463.1473 for application information.

The CenTex RCIC would like to thank Jeff King, Partner, Haynes and Boone LLP, for offering pro bono legal services to the center. Click on the logo below for a flyer (.pdf) with more information on the firm's services.

Our appreciation also goes out to the IC² (Innovation, Creativity & Capital) Institute through the MSSTC (Masters of Science Program in Commercialization of Science & Technology) at the University of Texas at Austin for their expert technology and commercialization reviews. Click on the links below for more information.

Susan Davenport
512.322.5657
sdavenport@austinchamber.com

Meredith Tenney
512.322.5663
mtenney@austinchamber.com

Send completed applications to: applications@austinchamber.com