Why UT Austin Is Becoming a Breeding Ground for Student Startups
Fresh bread from Stoya Bread & Co. (left) and late-night treats from Wampus Waffles (right) bring flavor to West Campus. Giorgy Ruiz/Reporting Texas
Forget everything you thought you knew about college side hustles. At the University of Texas at Austin, entrepreneurship isn’t just an extracurricular — it’s embedded in the campus culture. From late-night food pop-ups to full-blown business ventures, students aren’t waiting until after graduation to start chasing big ideas.
Take senior Michael Kobrosky, for example. What began as a simple waffle stand in West Campus has turned into Wampus Waffles, a student favorite known for $4.50 protein-packed sandwiches. But for Kobrosky, the waffles are only the beginning. He’s experimenting with new recipes and planning to scale into gyms and grocery stores.
That kind of ambition? It’s exactly what the University of Texas encourages.
UT consistently ranks among the top public schools for entrepreneurship. The university offers hands-on experience, funding, mentorship and a real shot at success through programs such as:
- Longhorn Startup Lab
- Herb Kelleher Center for Entrepreneurship
- LaunchPad at UT Austin
- Texas Global Innovators
- McCombs Entrepreneur Summer Fellowship
- Kendra Scott Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute
These programs are more than campus bullet points — they are launchpads for students with big visions.
“We connect students from different colleges to the right resources to help them succeed,” said Colin Ellis, assistant director of entrepreneurship programs. “We want them to have fun — and if they just need a hype man, I’ll be their hype man.”
The university’s programs don’t just hand students a roadmap — they offer a network of support. Through pitch competitions, guest speakers and mentorship from business owners, students gain confidence by watching others who’ve built their own companies.
“It’s scary,” said Sydney Stewart, a senior in UT’s entrepreneurship minor. “But in the program, we talk to a lot of people who’ve actually started businesses and invested thousands of dollars. Being able to see and talk to the people who made it work has been really helpful.”
Students at UT aren’t just applying for jobs — they’re creating them. Whether they’re baking bread, launching apps or selling handmade jewelry, one thing is clear: The next generation of founders is already here.