Austin Community College (ACC) opened the Bioscience Incubator in 2017 to support the growth of bioscience start-ups in the Central Texas region. The facility provides office and laboratory space, equipment, and resources to entrepreneurs in the life sciences industry, with the goal of fostering innovation and advancing medical research.
The Bioscience Incubator is part of ACC’s broader effort to promote economic development in the Austin area. By providing a supportive environment for biotech start-ups, the college hopes to attract investment and create high-quality jobs in the bioscience sector. The facility also offers a range of services to help entrepreneurs develop their businesses, including mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to capital.
The Bioscience Incubator is located on ACC’s Highland Campus, which is situated on the site of the former Highland Mall. The mall, which opened in 1971, was once a thriving retail center but fell into decline in the early 2000s. In 2006, the mall’s owners announced plans to redevelop the property into a mixed-use development that would include educational, retail, and residential components. ACC purchased a portion of the mall in 2010 and began a major renovation project to transform the site into a modern educational facility. The opening of the Bioscience Incubator was a key milestone in the transformation of the Highland Campus into a hub for innovation and learning.