Texas Venture Labs Investment Competition (TVLIC)
Objective
The Texas Venture Labs Investment Competition mimics the real-world process of raising venture capital, giving University of Texas System graduate students the chance to gain real experience developing and growing new ventures while receiving feedback from entrepreneurs and investors.
Description
Overview
The Texas Venture Labs Investment Competition (TVLIC) mimics the real-world process of raising venture capital. Graduate students from the University of Texas System present new business ideas and receive feedback from entrepreneurs and investors.
Eligibility
- Open to current, degree-seeking University of Texas System graduate students
- Teams may include non-student members on the management team, but only UT graduate students may compete
- Individuals may only compete with one company per competition
- Companies must be operating or intend to launch within six months of the competition
Format
- Teams submit a written business plan (max 21 pages)
- Semifinal rounds held in the morning (30-minute pitch and Q&A per team)
- Top teams advance to Finals in the afternoon
- All teams also give a 2-minute elevator pitch without audio-visual aids
- Public Awards Ceremony follows the Finals
Notable Details
- Held twice yearly, at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters
- Special award categories include Sustainability Innovation, Health Innovation, Energy Innovation, Technology Commercialization, and Elevator Pitch awards
- Notable past competitors include uShip, Ordoro, BeatBox Beverages, Phurnace Software and Qcue
Eligible Schools
University Of Texas At Austin - McCombs School Of Business
Fall 2026 competition, Rowling Hall, UT Austin
April 13, 2025
Private
Business School
Entrepreneurship
Finance
International
infoTVL@mccombs.utexas.edu
University Of Texas At Austin - McCombs School Of Business
Jon Brumley Texas Venture Labs, Brumley Institute for Graduate Entrepreneurship, McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin
Texas Champion: $15,000 cash award plus Capital Factory membership, LeanStack.com access
Texas Superstar (2nd place): $5,000
Sustainability Innovation Award: $5,000
Energy Innovation Award: $5,000
Health Innovation Award: $5,000 plus ScaleHealth membership
Discovery to Impact Award for Commercialization: $10,000
Experian Legacy Leader Pitch Awards: $2,500 / $1,500 / $1,000
James D. Pippin Veteran Entrepreneurship Award: $1,000