VISION

The ACC Bioscience Incubator aims to provide a fully equipped and affordable lab space to the Austin life science community. Our vision is to be the model incubator for developing workforce-ready students and successful bioscience innovations.

MISSION

Our mission is to create success through real world opportunities and experiences for students, and access to tools and resources for bioscience innovators.

HISTORY

1902

St John's Orphanage

Reverend Lee Lewis Campbell opened St. John’s Institute at the turn of the 20th century. Although the organization was met with prejudice, they succeeded in showing the importance of equal education and civic improvement. The Institute closed in 1940 and the building eventually burned down in 1956.

2016

HIGHLAND MALL

The land was developed into Highland Mall, Austin’s first indoor mall. The expedition thrived in its early years, flooded with austinites from all over town. As it aged, trouble keeping large investors arose alongside with social unrest. Parts of the mall became completely abondaned before it closed in 2015.

2015

acc highland campus

In 2012, ACC purchased and inhabited old department stores in the mall and repurposed them for edcuational purposes. Phase one rolled out in 2014, which built a varying range of learning environments. The surrounding area has been made into a community of apartments, retail businesses and endeavours which strengthen the college’s private-public relationships.

2017

ABI created

The innovative wet lab is the first part of phase two renovations inside the former Highland Mall. The first such facility at a Texas community college, the Bioscience Incubator provides critically needed research space for life science companies to develop products such as pharmaceuticals and medical devices while providing educational programs, internships, and real-world training to ACC students.

Present

Thriving incubator

Over the past several years, the ACC Biotechnology Program piloted biotech acceleration services with local start-ups. Companies utilized ACC interns and equipment, saving time and money during product development.

Leadership

Nancy Lyon

Director, ACC Bioscience Incubator

Nancy is the Interim Director of the Bioscience Incubator. In this role, she works with entrepreneurs, economic development interests, faculty and other partners to support the biotech economy. Prior to her appointment as the ABI Director, she served as the Lab Coordinator, where she managed the labs and equipment, as well as managed the successful internship program. With a degree in Microbiology from the University of Maryland, College Park, Nancy has been doing molecular biology research and managing labs for over 15 years. Nancy thrives in leadership roles but is also a team player who loves to help, teach and solve problems.

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Shane Allen

Lab Coordinator, ACC Bioscience Incubator

Shane is the Lab Coordinator of the Bioscience Incubator. In this role, he handles the day-to-day operations of the Incubator and internship program in addition to supporting the director’s efforts. Shane received a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin and a BS from the University of Michigan in Biomedical Engineering where his research focused on using materials science tools to investigate fibrotic disease. Prior to joining the Incubator, Shane worked at several early-stage biotechnology companies and developed technology from in vitro diagnostics to food and beverage products.

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Advisory Board

Lisa McDonald, M.D.

Co-Founder of PandemicTech; Founder of TEXGHS; Director of Healthcare at Austin Technology Incubator (ATI) at UT

Timothy Sullivan

President & CEO, Founder of Zeteo Biomedical; President, CEO, & Co-Founder of Mystic Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Samantha Croft, Ph.D.

Professor for Biology at Austin Community College

Jaya Srivastava, Ph.D.

Senior Director of Medical Strategy at Elevation Oncology

Shahram Shafie

Co-Founder and CTO of Circular Sustainability Innovation; CTO of Green Source Holdings

Partners

TEXGHS

The Texas Global Health Security Innovation Consortium (TEXGHS) is a consortium between academia, public sector, and private sector partners to coordinate efforts to support companies working towards pandemic preparedness and response in Texas.

Organized by the Austin Technology Incubator at The University of Texas at Austin, TEXGHS is leading the creation and long-term growth of a health security innovation ecosystem that supports innovators and innovations fighting COVID-19 and future pandemics.

BioAustinctx

BioAustinCTX is advancing the convergence of entrepreneurs, organizations, infrastructure, collaboration, capital, talent and quality of life creating a dynamic environment for a thriving and successful life science industry at regional, state, national and ultimately international levels in the Central Texas region.

The mission of BioAustinCTX is to foster a vibrant and prosperous life sciences community in the greater Central Texas Region where companies expand and flourish, start-ups germinate and grow, entrepreneurs are inspired and empowered.

Success Stories

BioBQ

ABI member company BioBQ is one of 45 MassChallenge finalists. BioBQ is a cultivated meat company, which means we grow meat using cells cultured in a clean facility, rather than from slaughtered animals. Based in Austin, Texas, known for BBQ, they aim to be the first in the world to offer cultured 100% beef brisket.

John Higley of EQO wins Erie Hack competition

“RNA was critical to the discovery of a coronavirus vaccine, and now the genetic messenger may be used to protect Lake Erie from harmful algal blooms.”

John Higley, CEO of member company EQO, and his competition team, RNA Power, have been awarded “the $30,000 top prize at the 2021 Erie Hack competition, which is designed to promote innovative solutions to pressing water-related issues.”

Read the full article at Cleveland.com. Learn more about EQO on our Science in the Mall, Y’all podcast.

FAQS

How do I apply?

ABI has rolling admissions. We encourage you to fill out our online application and if there is a fit, we will contact you.

How long can my company stay?

This varies with each company, but typical contracts are 6-18 months. Once the company achieves agreed upon milestones and outgrows the Incubator they successfully “graduate.”

Do I have to be affiliated with Austin Community College to join?

No. Although the ABI is part of Austin Community College, there is no requirement that your company has a connection.

What is the selection process?

We review online applications to identify companies that may be a good fit. We then evaluate these companies through our due diligence process which may include entrepreneur pitches, meetings, and other discussions between ABI affiliated staff, experts, and founders. A steering committee gives final feedback and recommendation for admission. Relationships generated through the process often add value to companies regardless of admission.

Does my company have to hire ACC interns?

Hiring of ACC interns is recommended but not required. We do require some level of educational agreement which can involve other activities like working with faculty to design curriculum or guest lecturing.

What types of companies does ABI accept?

We accept startup companies working in the life sciences and related fields.

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