November 2025

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 Office of Innovation & Economic Development recently presented at the Greater Hewitt Chamber business luncheon, highlighting how Baylor is driving innovation and economic growth across Central Texas through cyber initiatives and entrepreneurial support.

At the heart of our cyber initiatives is the Central Texas Cyber Hub, a collaboration between Baylor University, McLennan Community College, and Central Texas College.

This partnership was created to establish a center of excellence in Central Texas specifically designed to meet the growing cyber workforce demands of both industry and government sectors.

The Hub takes a comprehensive approach to cyber education and training by offering:

Our state-of-the-art cyber range facilities provide realistic, hands-on training environments where students and professionals can practice defending against real-world cyber threats in a safe, controlled setting. These facilities support everything from basic security training to advanced penetration testing and incident response scenarios.

Beyond cybersecurity, our New Venture Development team provides comprehensive support to entrepreneurs and innovators throughout the greater Waco area. We understand that starting and growing a business requires more than just a great idea. It requires resources, guidance, and community connections.

Our entrepreneurial support includes:

The Greater Waco area is experiencing exciting growth in both technology and entrepreneurship, and Baylor is committed to being a catalyst for this development. Through initiatives like the Central Texas Cyber Hub and our New Venture Development programs, we're not just preparing students for careers—we're building the workforce and business ecosystem that will drive our region's economic future.

We're grateful to the Greater Hewitt Chamber for the opportunity to share these initiatives with the local business community. The partnership between education, business, and community is essential for creating lasting economic impact.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) have issued a Notice of Allowance for a design patent on the "Universal SDS-PAGE Loader," invented by Dr. Bryan Shaw, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Levi Garza, a chemistry graduate student.

NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE

Be it known the Applicant Baylor University have invented a new, original, and ornamental design, entitled “Universal SDS-PAGE Loader”, for use in supplying biological samples into a Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) apparatus.

The Universal SDS-PAGE Loader is a device designed to supply biological samples into a Sodium Dodecyl-Sulfate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) apparatus—a common tool used in protein analysis. What makes this invention groundbreaking is its accessibility: the loader enables researchers with blindness or visual impairments to perform SDS-PAGE processes safely and efficiently, something that has been challenging or impossible with traditional equipment.

Beyond serving researchers with disabilities, the loader improves the SDS-PAGE process for everyone by increasing loading accuracy and precision, which enhances the quality of sample analysis. It also accommodates researchers with mobility or dexterity disorders, opening doors for scientists who have previously been unable to conduct this type of research.

Shaw and Garza have also filed a utility patent application for the invention. The technology is available for licensing through Baylor's Office of Technology Commercialization and can be viewed on Flintbox.

Recently in our Kauffman FastTrac course, Tara Smith, Director of Baylor's Entrepreneurship Clinic, shared the valuable services available to our entrepreneurial community. The Clinic provides affordable legal services at a discounted rate to support the growth of new businesses and nonprofit organizations in the Greater Waco area, serving McLennan, Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Hill, and Limestone counties.

The Entrepreneurship Clinic operates year-round as a clinical course at Baylor Law, where students receive class credit while performing work relevant to future corporate law practice. Under the supervision of Director Tara Smith, clinic students counsel clients, draft formation documents and related consents and agreements, and prepare service agreements according to clients' needs. As a result, participating students find themselves considerably ahead of their peers when they enter practice, reflecting Baylor Law School's strong tradition of producing practice-ready lawyers.

Several students from our programs have already benefited from this support.
We are grateful that Baylor provides such a valuable resource to our community.

The Department of Defense (DOD) is the largest funding source of all agencies participating in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, investing over $2.3 billion annually in small business innovation.

Join us for an upcoming workshop where you'll learn how to navigate the DOD's SBIR/STTR programs and position your technology for federal funding success. Our expert will provide up-to-date information on the solicitation cycle, help you identify the right opportunities for your technology, and show you how to connect with Technical Points of Contact (TPOCs) to influence future topics.

What You'll Learn:

Who Should Attend:
This workshop is ideal for entrepreneurs, researchers, and small business owners developing innovative technologies that could have defense or dual-use applications.

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