Texas - The Third Coast

Texas consistently ranks third nationally in the overall level of venture capital investment. And, according to Global Insight, only California outranks Texas in the number of jobs held by venture capital backed firms headquartered in the state.

According to the National Science Foundation, Texas ranked third among states receiving federal research and development grants in 2007 – behind California and New York, respectively. Texas universities, including medical schools, received $1.8 billion in federal research and development grants. Overall, $49.4 billion in federal research and development grants were awarded to colleges and universities, including medical schools in 2007. Texas ranked fifth in 2000. UT System institutions conduct the majority of university research activities in the state. In fiscal year 2007, the University of Texas System had $1.97 billion in total research expenditures; on third of which was academic in nature and two thirds of which was health related. Of this amount $1.1 billion came from federal sources, $257.4 million from State of Texas resources, and $550 million from the private sector.

The north Texas region is an outstanding location for technology innovation. Geographically, it is centrally located in the United States with DFW Airport serving the area.

North Texas is America’s fourth most populous metropolitan region, fifth largest in terms of gross production, and second only to Silicon Valley in terms of a technology trained workforce.

The region is home to six major public universities and two major private universities, including three University of Texas System campuses. Arlington is home to the Center for Innovation at Arlington, as well as the Institute for Nanoscale Science and Engineering Research and Teaching (INSERT) which is an umbrella for six major research facilities at the University of Texas at Arlington.

The Center for Innovation at Arlington serves the rapidly expanding business community in north Texas, providing a wide array of resources for companies of all sizes. The Center houses the Arlington Technology Incubator, UT Arlington Grants and Contract Office, the Center for Entrepreneurship, and the Venture Innovation Partnership.