DENTON, Texas — The University of North Texas (UNT) has initiated a pioneering course that equips graduate students with the necessary tools to transform their academic research into viable business startups. The course, aptly named STEM Startups, enrolls students primarily from the College of Engineering, College of Science, College of Information, and the G. Brint Ryan College of Business. It aims to guide students through developing business plans and creating market-ready products.
Information science graduate student Ian Abeyta emphasizes the practical impact of this course, stating, ‘My research tends to stay within my own academic bubble. This course has connected me with others who can help turn that research into something practical and impactful beyond academics.’
The course is the brainchild of Professor Neal Smatresk. He underscores the importance of connecting university-based discoveries with practical innovations to benefit the public. ‘Research universities like UNT have a responsibility to turn discoveries into innovation that benefit the public,’ Smatresk remarked.
Participants in the course form teams early on and start working on tangible projects. This semester features a diverse mix of initiatives, including an app for managing freshwater shrimp farms, a blockchain-based insurance system, and a body movement tracker aimed at injury prevention. For team STRIDE, led by Data Science graduate student and active-duty U.S. Army Major Mike Chastain, their movement-tracking project has personal significance, particularly in aiding soldiers to avoid injury during training.
Chastain comments on the military’s recent challenges with soldier injuries, noting, ‘A big problem for the military is new soldiers getting hurt, and that percentage keeps increasing. We need every technique we can to figure out how they’re getting injured. STRIDE has the potential to be a training tool that helps new recruits stay safe and avoid injuries.’
The program also offers students avenues to connect with industry leaders and venture capitalists. One such collaborator is PCDworks, a technology development company founded by UNT alumni Mike and Donna Rainone. Donna Rainone, the president of PCDworks, stated, ‘We’re constantly looking to create more partnerships in innovative technology. The students in this class are driven, smart, and full of good ideas.’
The weekly spring course marks a first for UNT and there are plans for expansion. While currently targeting graduate students, the course may soon be accessible to upper-level undergraduates with significant research experience. Marcus Wolfe, academic director of the Murphy Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, notes that ‘The STEM Startups course is a first step in developing entrepreneurship across the UNT ecosystem. Students will build a dynamic, entrepreneurial mindset essential for innovation and leadership in any field.’
For Professor Smatresk, the ultimate aim is broader than simply launching startups; it is about embedding an entrepreneurial spirit within UNT’s culture. ‘I’ve always wanted to help transition the creativity, discovery and innovation from this campus into the public domain. I consider this a personal mission and this course is a step in becoming a more entrepreneurial university,’ Smatresk concluded.
