Program · Scout Program
Genesis Program UT Austin
Genesis Program is University of Texas at Austin's scout program offering mentorship and funding for student entrepreneurs.
- Application state
- Accepting
Overview
What Genesis Program UT Austin offers
What Genesis Program UT Austin is
Genesis is the University of Texas at Austin's student-run startup fund, created in 2016 by Cockrell School of Engineering alumni and students. The program provides mentorship, capital, and real-world investment experience to student entrepreneurs across all disciplines at the university. Operating under the philosophy "Backing the first spark," Genesis empowers UT Austin's 50,000+ students to pursue entrepreneurial ambitions.
Operational profile
Program status and context
Program status describes the program itself. Application availability and deadlines remain separate.
- Operational status
- Active
- Program type
- Scout Program
- Host organization
- The Genesis Initiative Austin
- Last reviewed
- March 16, 2026
What Scout program means
A scout program is a structured venture-capital program that recruits external people to help a fund discover, refer, evaluate, or sometimes invest in early-stage startups.
Open the glossary entryTerms and economics
Published program terms
- Investment
- $5,000
- Price
- Free
- Compensation
- Unknown
Compensation and economics
Participants do not receive monetary compensation for their involvement in the program.
Focus and fit
Who the program is for
Program thesis
Genesis represents a unique student-led venture capital model that democratizes investment experience. Unlike traditional VC programs that target MBA students or professionals, Genesis operates across all disciplines, creating pathways for engineers, business students, designers, and others to participate in startup investing.
Eligibility
Every full-time enrolled student at UT Austin across all schools, colleges, and degree programs (undergraduate, Master's, PhD) is eligible to apply for funding or join the investment team.
Selection approach
Every full-time enrolled student at UT Austin across all schools, colleges, and degree programs (undergraduate, Master's, PhD) is eligible to apply for funding or join the investment team.
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed
- Regions
- United States
- Audience
- Students
Format and cadence
How participation works
- Presence
- In Person
- Main location
- Austin, Texas, United States
- Engagement
- Part Time
Delivery model
The program operates in-person at the University of Texas at Austin.
Participation expectations
The program requires a part-time commitment from participants.
Availability and engagement
Application timing and route
- Application state
- Accepting
- Admissions
- Open
Value and support
What participation may provide
Publicly described support is context, not a guarantee of current delivery or future benefit.
What participants may receive
Genesis emphasizes mentorship alongside capital, connecting founders with experienced advisors and investors to guide them through early challenges. Student investors partner with alumni mentors to guide company development and troubleshoot operational challenges.
Common questions
Program details at a glance
Genesis Program UT Austin is published in Upseed as a scout program program hosted by The Genesis Initiative Austin. Upseed treats the Program and its host Organization as separate records so each can have its own status and sources.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 16, 2026
Known limits
Terms, deadlines, and application states can change. Confirm current details at the published destination before acting. Upseed does not yet classify every Program destination as official.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or the official representative of this program or its host.