A group of UT Outreach-Austin high school students came to campus for a week-long crash course on social entrepreneurship during the inaugural UT Outreach Startup Week hosted by the Office of Inclusive Innovation and Entrepreneurship.  Throughout the week of July 15-19, they learned about Austin’s economic landscape, the power of entrepreneurism and the various ways they could improve economic and social mobility through innovation.

While working in groups, the students created their own startup prototypes and presented them before a panel of expert judges at the pitch competition. Although their products and services varied, they all served one purpose: to fulfill a growing need for underserved populations.

The class culminated with a day-long tour of Austin’s downtown startup companies. Their stops included Google, Indeed, Walmart Technology, Oracle, WordPress Engine and the Capital Factory.

The inaugural UT Outreach Startup Week was taught by Rubén Cantú, executive director of the Office of Inclusive Innovation and Entrepreneurship; and Christopher Cutkelvin, outreach center program coordinator. Visit this website to learn more about the DDCE’s Office of Inclusive Innovation and Entrepreneurship and its mission to provide students and Austin residents with tools of wealth creation, innovative thinking and community stewardship.