Why Innovation and Entrepreneurship Matter

UNT aims to serve as a platform for innovation and entrepreneurship, developing student, faculty, and alumni potential while simultaneously driving economic impact for our region. By fostering an entrepreneurial culture across campus, we advance our mission to create enduring value for the public good by preparing graduates who launch businesses and improve industries, while directly translating university research into innovations that create jobs and address complex challenges. This commitment to entrepreneurship connects directly to UNT's strategic priorities: developing talent through experiential learning, discovering solutions through applied research, and driving regional progress through partnerships that transform ideas into ventures powering North Texas' future.

These efforts will remain critical well into the future. Texas ranks as the world's eighth-largest economy, with North Texas leading the charge. Home to 24 of the 54 Texas Fortune 500 company headquarters, the North Texas economic landscape spans financial services, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, healthcare, and emerging technologies. North Texas is home to more top-tier research universities than any other Texas region — making UNT and our partner institutions essential components of the infrastructure powering this economic engine. This vibrancy creates both resilience and opportunity: entrepreneurs here can access talent, capital, and markets across virtually every industry. Dallas ranks 16th among the nation’s 100 best big cities to start a business, with Fort Worth at No. 11, Arlington at No. 15, Irving at No. 22, Garland at No. 29, and Plano at No. 43.

Unpacking the Data: Innovation and Entrepreneurship at UNT

This dashboard shows the number of new ventures and startups formed each year with a breakdown of who founded the startup — faculty, student, or alum.

Understanding these ventures requires seeing them as part of a larger entrepreneurial ecosystem: a network of people supporting entrepreneurs, along with the culture of trust and collaboration that allows them to interact successfully. The essence of an entrepreneurial ecosystem is its people and the culture that allows for the fast flow of talent, information, and resources, helping entrepreneurs quickly find what they need at each stage of growth.

UNT's entrepreneurship efforts are growing, with improved support and resources available to aspiring entrepreneurs across campus. Students gain entrepreneurial skills and experience through a combination of academic programs, mentorship, competitions, and hands-on learning opportunities. Faculty researchers receive guidance and resources to translate discoveries into commercial ventures. Strong partnerships with regional businesses, investors, and economic development organizations provide pathways for ideas to reach the marketplace. Through the Division of Research and Innovation and the Murphy Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, UNT provides integrated support across the entrepreneurial journey from initial concept to market-ready venture.

Strategic Priorities to Grow New Ventures and Startups

UNT is committed to serving as the platform for faculty, students, and alumni to launch new ventures, startups, and public impact projects. To ensure UNT offers the proper support and opportunities, the university will:

  • Build the entrepreneurship ecosystem by expanding educational programs, mentorship opportunities, pitch competitions, and networking events that prepare students as both entrepreneurs and informed investors.
  • Recognize faculty innovation and impact by broadening promotion and tenure guidelines to recognize and reward faculty who engage in entrepreneurial activities, such as but not limited to startup creation, patent development, technology licensing, and industry partnerships, ensuring these activities are valued alongside traditional research metrics.
  • Advance entrepreneurship scholarship by publishing in top-tier journals and supporting research that elevates UNT's standing in global entrepreneurship rankings while fostering a culture that values both theoretical and applied contributions. Learn more about UNT’s ranking in global entrepreneurship research.
  • Strengthen strategic partnerships with funding entities, regional employers, and economic development organizations to expand resources for entrepreneurship education while leveraging new federal and state funding opportunities.
  • Develop comprehensive tracking systems to track new ventures across disciplines and founder types, measure impact, and support a culture of creative collaboration and knowledge exchange across the university.

Methodology Notes