Eligibility

Companies interested in applying for Commercialization Awards from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund are strongly encouraged to review the Governor's ETF website.

Companies interested in applying for Commercialization Awards should be beyond the formative research phase and ready to begin or expand commercialization efforts.

Companies must be legally formed and should have some prior scientific or technical validation - either via protected IP or prior grant funding.

Companies must be collaborating with at least one Texas university.

The goals of the TETF are to:

• expedite innovation and commercialization of research,

• attract, create or expand private sector entities that will promote a substantial increase in high-quality jobs, and

• increase higher education applied research capabilities.

Established companies may apply for an award for a specific project, if they meet all of the following criteria:

• are you commercializing emerging technology?
  Emerging technology industries include semiconductors, information, computer & software technology, energy, manufactured energy systems, micro-electromechanical systems, nanotechnology, biotechnology, medicine, life sciences, petroleum refining & chemical processes, aerospace, defense, and other areas as determined the State Leadership (Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House).
   

• are you partnering with a Texas public or private university?
  This must be a well defined, documented partnership clearly impacting the technology being commercialized (such as through licensing or joint research or assistance from a business school or Small Business Development Center on the company's business strategy).  While it is preferred that collaboration already be underway, it may also be acceptable to define future collaboration, contingent upon receiving an ETF award.  If you are interested in contacting universities about potential collaboration, click here for a list of contacts at Gulf Coast region universities.

• may result in a scientific or medical breakthrough, or a breakthrough in clean energy technologies?
  Is this disruptive technology, that could have a significant impact?  NOTE that the technology must be breakthrough - not only that the technology will be disruptive in the marketplace.  Do you have independent validation of the specific technology for this project?  (SBIR/STTR, peer review, technical review from faculty not involved in the project, ...)

• is there a defined project scope, commercialization path and business plan?
  This documentation will be required as part of the application submission.  Companies applying for Pre-Seed Commercialization Awards will probably be earlier stage than companies seeking the larger Commercialization Grants.   

• will you have funding from other sources?
  The matching funding requirement varies depending upon the type of grant being requested.  The matching funds must be at least as large as the grant request size.
  
  Pre-Seed Commercialization Awards - It is not required companies have prior equity investments.  The ETF will match cash, equity investments from external investors - these cannot be in-kind contributions or funds provided in exchange for services or products.  A matching equity investment must be raised within 30 months of receiving an ETF award.
  
  Commercialization Awards - Companies must have received prior cash, equity investments from an external investor (probably at least $500K).  The matching funding must be hard equity - not in-kind contributions.  Matching funding includes funds raised recently (within past six months), funds that are currently in the process of being raised, or future funds raised within 18 months of receiving an ETF award.
  
  If you are looking for investors who could match an ETF award, click here for a list of contacts for Gulf Coast region investors interested in helping ETF funded companies.

• will there be a demonstrable economic impact in Texas?
  The company's success with the funded technology must have an impact to the economy in Texas.  This could be through the creation of high-paying jobs (at least $18 per hour), beneficial impacts to other Texas partners or improving the national or global competitiveness of Texas in emerging technologies.

Due to the amount of competition for ETF awards, applicants should carefully consider how much will be requested.

Pre-Seed Commercialization Award requests must be for no more than $250K (the company will be authorized to receive up to $1M, and can submit subsequent requests for the additional funds).  Commercialization Award requests are typically in the range of $500K to $2.5M, and may not exceed $5M.

Additional detailed information is available on the FAQs page on this website.

Special note to public companies - While public companies may be eligible for funding, public companies may be at a disadvantage when applying for funds from the ETF, unless they can demonstrate their inability to raise additional public funds for their project.

If you have any questions about eligibility for Commercialization Awards, click here to send an e-mail to the Gulf Coast RCIC for assistance.