Office of Innovation & Economic Development February 2026

Baylor University's Office of Innovation & Economic Development supports institution- wide efforts to increase the quality and quantity of activity and outcomes around innovation, startups, and job creation with an emphasis on enhancing Waco's technology & innovation economic ecosystem.

Our team recently had the pleasure of attending Marlin ISD's Media Day to celebrate the launch of their K–12 Cybersecurity Pathways Program. As the lead institution for the Central Texas Cyber Hub (CTCH), Baylor University is proud to witness the enthusiasm of the teachers, staff, and students who make up the program's inaugural cohort.

We spent the day engaging with students eager to dive into the world of digital defense. The event reinforced the strength of our partnership with Marlin ISD, which is focused on removing barriers to high-tech education and equipping students with industry-recognized certifications, including CompTIA Tech+, Network+, and Security+.

This program is a vital step in our mission to address the national cybersecurity skills gap by cultivating talent right here in our local communities. We are grateful to Marlin ISD and look forward to the incredible things this partnership will accomplish as these students begin their journey toward high-demand tech careers.

We're excited to highlight two new invention disclosures submitted.

Nutrition Guide for Parents of Children 0 to 5
Inventors Izzy Darwin and Mickey Langlais have developed a resource designed to support parents during one of the most critical windows of child development. This disclosure reflects Baylor's commitment to research that strengthens families and communities.

In-Situ Nondestructive Testing Scanning System
A multidisciplinary team including Nathan Emerson, Pruthul Kokkada Ravindranath, Rachel Van Lear, and David Jack have created an innovative scanning system that enables real-time, nondestructive testing. An advancement with exciting potential applications across engineering and manufacturing industries.

We celebrate these faculty innovators for taking the important step of disclosing their work and look forward to supporting them on their commercialization journey. If you have research with commercial potential, we invite you to connect with our office to learn more about the invention disclosure process.

This spring we will be offering three free webinars to help researchers and entrepreneurs navigate federal and private funding opportunities. All sessions run from 2:00–3:30 p.m. CST and are hosted in partnership with BBC Entrepreneurial Training & Consulting.

University Participation in SBIR
March 5th
This session is a must for any researcher considering SBIR or STTR funding. Topics include eligibility rules, Principal Investigator requirements, subcontracting limitations, and compliance considerations unique to federal small business programs. (Registration Link Below)

Working with DoD & Speaking Their Language
March 26
Learn how to position your research for Department of Defense SBIR/STTR opportunities. The session walks through how projects fit into DoD's procurement process and offer practical tips for strengthening Phase I and Phase II proposals.

Basics of Private Funding for Technology Companies
May 7
Not all funding comes from federal sources. This session covers the private funding landscape from seed rounds to venture capital helping innovators understand what investors are looking for and how to prepare for fundraising conversations.

Stay tuned for registration links or contact our office for more information.

Launch Lab Wednesdays are back! Stop by the Launchpad in the Student Union Building, open every Wednesday from 2:00–5:00 p.m., to share your startup idea, get real feedback, and map out your next steps. No appointment needed. Whether your idea is fully formed or just a spark, our team is here to help you move it forward.
See you there!