The Greater San Marcos Partnership and Texas State hosted the Greater San Marcos Innovation Summit to introduce investors to local research opportunities.
Attendees discussed new innovations in engineering and business before Peter French, master of ceremonies, introduced San Marcos Mayor Daniel Guerrero.
“This is an event we do annually with Texas State University and Star Park, and it’s an event that really highlights the importance of university research on our regional economy,” said Adriana Cruz, GSMP president. “A lot of people are not aware of Texas State’s engineering program or Star Park’s advanced material incubator.”
Star Park and Texas State’s Office of Commercialization were involved with hosting the summit.
Texas State is Hays County’s largest employer, but the city has recently seen major business investments such as Amazon Fulfillment and Epic Piping.
Gene Bourgeois, provost and Academic Affairs vice president, reminded the community that the Carnegie Foundation reclassified Texas State as a doctoral university Feb. 1. He said this is proof Texas State is quickly growing in the research sector.
In 2012, Texas State was named one of eight emerging research universities.
“The technology sector is contributing to a significant portion of our economy,” Bourgeois said.
Keynote speaker Claire England, Central Texas Angel Network executive director, spoke about the possibility of Angel investing with Texas State sometime in the future, particularly with the recent Carnegie recognition.
England assessed Texas State could anchor CTAN to the San Marcos community and other partnership opportunities.
San Marcos does not currently have an angel investment connection. However, there are currently 12 angel groups located throughout Texas, England said.
“The vast majority of start-ups fail; however, networking is just as important as the money to start-ups,” England said.
CTAN investors help close the funding gap for start-ups, England said.
Hope Shimabuku, Texas Regional U.S. Patent and Trademark Office director, said the state approved 10,000 patents in 2014, the second highest in the U.S. after California.
Texas is known for finance, oil, gas and fashion design with a high number of engineering and military pursuits, Shimabuku said.
Shimabuku discussed a program encouraging K-12 students to seek STEM educations.
“The K-12 program boosts the economy. These students are the pipeline of the future,” Shimabuku said.
It was mentioned that SXSW will be hosting an Innovation Lab with Texas State 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. March 11 to 15 to display inventions created by students.
Tom Meyers, Texas State Industry Engagement and Innovation director, mentioned a student entrepreneur program offering business plan competitions and student access to Star Park through his company.
Jose Beceiro, Texas State Strategic Corporate Partnerships director, mentioned interest in scholarships, new facilities, research investments and a senior design project through the SXSW Innovation Lab. The lab would put students’ works on display W.
“(The lab) will help students engage with the industry,” Beceiro said.
This article originally published by University Star.