Turning Ideas into Impact

Whether you're a student with a bold idea, a faculty researcher pursuing a breakthrough or a startup looking to grow your company, figuring out what's next can feel overwhelming.

At NEXT, we empower innovators to take their next step by providing the tools, connections, resources and support needed to bring transformative solutions to life.

What's NEXT for you?

Our work is focused on efforts that support your success:

• Exploring Opportunities & Protecting Inventions
• Connecting You with Resources and Collaborators
• Supporting Your Growth & Testing Ideas

Who we work with

We believe everyone can be an innovator. No matter where you are on your journey, we're here to assist in ways that include:

• Helping students explore the commercial potential of capstone projects
• Partnering with faculty on patent applications that protect breakthrough discoveries
• Supporting biotech entrepreneurs as they grow their companies on campus
• Connecting industry R&D teams with UNT Health collaborators

Ready to take your next step?

Contact us or click a link below to learn more

Career Development

The Career Development program at HSC Next is designed to help you expand your innovative thinking and enhance your ability to navigate the ever-changing healthcare and life science industries. By registering for HSC’s Cultivating an Innovative Mindset in Healthcare micro-credential, you will gain the critical skills needed to lead, adapt, and drive meaningful change in these dynamic fields. This program equips you with the tools and knowledge to think creatively, solve complex challenges, and make a lasting impact on the future of healthcare innovation.

Disclosures & Licenses

Our tech transfer team helps innovators transform ideas into impactful solutions for a healthier community. HSC Next manages the entire invention lifecycle—from patents and marketing to commercial partnerships—offering programs, resources, and learning opportunities to bring innovations to life. Explore promising inventions in development or take the first step toward yours by submitting an Invention Disclosure.

Innovation Labs

The Innovation Labs supports biotech innovators by providing three levels of lab access, along with programs, resources, and learning opportunities to bring new technologies to life. Located in a thriving life science campus, our labs help turn ideas into impactful solutions for a healthier community.

SBIR Phase 0

Launched in 2022, the award-nominated HSC Next SBIR Phase 0 program has helped over 100 companies secure non-dilutive federal funding to bring new technology to market. In just 18 months, it has hosted 410 outreach events, supported 112 local small businesses, submitted 84 proposals, and achieved double the national funding success rate—while 59% of participants are woman- or minority-owned businesses.

Innovation Challenge

Our Innovation Challenges provide comprehensive support to help you transform your idea into a real-world solution that strengthens and improves our community’s health. From concept refinement to implementation, we offer tailored programs, resources, and learning opportunities to assess your idea’s viability and commercial potential, ensuring you have the guidance needed at every step.

Podcast

Innovation is reshaping Fort Worth, transforming it from a city of Cowboys and Culture into a thriving hub for entrepreneurship and new ideas. Innovate Fort Worth showcases the stories of the city’s top innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors while highlighting the resources that help bring ideas to market.