The Economic Impact of Austin Technology Incubator Alumni Companies on Travis County, 2003–2012

The Austin Technology Incubator (ATI) is the business incubator of the IC² Institute at The University of Texas at Austin. ATI works with seed- and pre-seed-stage technology startups, helping to prepare these businesses for commercial success. This study estimated the value to the Travis County economy of ATI companies that graduated over a 10-year period from 2003 to 2012. The study analyzed ATI’s economic contribution in two ways: First, it used data-intensive IMPLAN input-output analysis to estimate quantitative economic and fiscal impacts, based on a survey of ATI alumni company CEOs. Second, short case profiles, derived from interviews with ATI alumni founders, identified qualitative impacts. ATI companies that graduated in the 10 years from 2003 to 2012 are estimated to have generated more than $880 million dollars in economic benefits, created more than 6,520 jobs, and produced more than $20 million in local tax revenue. In addition, many of the founders of the graduated ATI companies later created other companies, became angel investors in local startups, and made important civic contributions beyond their incubated company.