STAR One welcomes new businesses

Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) Park

Six companies have recently joined STAR One, the university’s technology business incubator/accelerator. STAR One is located in the Science, Technology and Advanced Research (STAR) park on Hunter Road in San Marcos, approximately three miles from the San Marcos Campus.

Varian Medical Systems and WATTRII joined STAR One as its most recent incubator clients. Varian will undertake product integration studies involving microspheres used in drug delivery. WATTRII, a startup firm developing alternative energy storage technologies, will create solid state battery prototypes for a variety of applications, including smartphones and electric vehicles.

In May, winners of the New Ventures competition were announced: Terra Solar, EnVault and Tripology. Each received one year of free space at STAR One, along with $20,000 in startup funding and mentorship from New Ventures’ entrepreneurs-in-residence.

An example of the close cooperation between companies and the university is Terra Solar. The startup is developing a DIY solar energy system for residential and commercial applications with the assistance of engineering students through a sponsored Senior Design project.

Terra Solar is developing a DIY solar energy system for residential and commercial applications with the assistance of engineering students through a sponsored Senior Design project. From left to right: Engineering students Staci Dindinger, Daniel Martinez, Luis Rivas, and Brooke Illig, and Terra Solar CEO Jennie Yoshimoto

EnVault is developing a new battery inverter system allowing conventionally fueled generators to be replaced with batteries in food trucks, utility, EMS, and recreational vehicles. Tripology provides a digital platform connecting teachers to field trip providers enabling selection of experiences, booking of events and management of activities.

DayLyte Batteries, another New Ventures finalist, is also joining STAR One. DayLyte is   developing air-sodium technologies to replace lithium ion batteries.

Texas State New Ventures is a joint initiative between the Material Applications Research Center (MARC), STAR Park, the Texas State NSF I-Corps Site, and the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

“The 36,000 square foot STAR One business incubator/accelerator at STAR Park is the largest lab-based facility of its kind in the state of Texas dedicated to supporting startup and growth companies,” said Stephen Frayser, executive director of STAR Park. “Such investments convey the message that Texas State is committed to the creation of the next generation of materials, chemistry and life science-based companies in the Innovation Corridor.

“STAR One directly addresses diversification of the regional economy through company formation, active collaboration between faculty and industry through applied research projects, and creation of a skilled workforce through experiential learning opportunities for our students.”