What do the Dallas Mavericks, Texas Instruments, State Farm, Lennox and over 700 other companies have in common?

They’ve all discovered that their next big idea might come from a college classroom. These forward-thinking businesses have tapped into a unique resource at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), where student teams have completed north of 5,000 industry projects — setting a new bar for university-industry collaboration.

Texas Instruments, for example, partnered with UTDesign to tackle a persistent manufacturing issue. The students developed a real-world solution that’s now saving the tech giant both time and money.

It’s a scenario that plays out repeatedly across North Texas, thanks to UTD’s Capstone programs. The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) offers a unique opportunity for businesses to harness the creativity and talent of senior students through its Capstone programs. These programs — UTDesign®, UTDiscovery, and UTDsolv — connect companies with multidisciplinary teams of students from engineering, computer science, data science, and management, providing a diverse force multiplier that delivers real-world, award-winning solutions.

The result? Fresh perspectives that often lead to practical, industry-recognized solutions. For companies, sponsoring a Capstone project is a strategic investment in both business innovation and future talent acquisition.

[Photo: UTDesign]

Multidisciplinary Teamwork

The brilliance of UTD’s Capstone programs lies in the multidisciplinary collaboration that takes place, according to Priya Narayanasami, assistant professor of instruction in computer science and mentor for UTDesign® Capstone teams. Senior students, each bringing their own academic backgrounds, experiences, and strengths, come together to tackle real-world business challenges.

“A diverse set of students come together, each bringing their strengths and ideas to approach the project,” Narayanasami says. “They’re eager to contribute and find innovative solutions.”

That innovative spark from students—unencumbered by industry norms—can yield solutions that reimagine what’s possible. “The students’ fresh perspective allows the teams to approach problems in ways the companies may not have considered,” she adds.

[Photo: UTDesign]

From Technical Solutions to Executable Business Plans

UTD’s Capstone programs offer tailored solutions for businesses of all sizes and industries, each focusing on different aspects of business challenges:

UTDesign, at the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, pairs companies with engineering and computer science students. These teams drive technical solutions from prototype to production, tackling complex challenges in fields like robotics, embedded systems, AI/ML, and AR/VR.

UTDiscovery harnesses the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics’ Data Science students’ cross-curricular, project-based learning for real-world business challenges. Teams develop predictive models for forecasting, create machine learning algorithms for process optimization, and build data visualization tools. Their work transforms raw data into insights that guide critical business decisions.

UTDsolv, through the Naveen Jindal School of Management, connects companies with business students to address a wide range of issues. Projects span social media and marketing campaigns, business plan development, website optimization, pricing models, inventory analysis, and financial systems improvements. Teams produce professional-quality reports and executable strategies tailored to each company’s needs.

These partnerships deliver more than ideas. They consistently yield tangible, implementable solutions—many recognized by industry awards—that equip companies with strategies and innovations to maintain a competitive edge.

[Photo: UTDesign]

Test-driving Talent Benefits Companies and Students

According to Cynthia Heyn, corporate relations director at UTDesign®, the Capstone programs offer businesses a unique dual benefit. “When businesses collaborate with us, they’re not only solving real-world challenges but also identifying future talent for their organizations,” she says.

Capstone sponsorship provides companies with a cost-effective way to test-drive top-tier talent in real-world scenarios. It’s a low-risk environment that allows organizations to preview potential future hires, assessing how students perform under real business conditions. “Participating companies convert their Capstone students into full-time employees after seeing their value firsthand,” Heyn says.

“It’s an opportunity to see how these students handle complex challenges and collaborate effectively across disciplines,” she emphasizes, “When companies partner with us, they’re investing in their future workforce.”

A former industry mentor for UTDiscovery shared, “The students bring remarkable motivation, enthusiasm, and a strong sense of ownership to the project, along with the skills to analyze data, experiment with models, and validate results. While the capstone provides an excellent learning experience for the students, the host company also benefits from significant exposure in this field.” The company went on to hire one of the students from the mentored team.

[Photo: UTDesign]

Ready to Innovate?

“Sponsoring a UTD Capstone project goes beyond addressing immediate challenges,” Heyn says, “It’s a forward-looking strategy that can position your company for future growth.” Whether you need cutting-edge engineering solutions, game-changing data insights, or innovative business strategies, UTD’s Capstone programs offer unmatched value.

The UTD programs have helped companies develop new products, streamline processes, and uncover insights that open new markets. “Each project is tailored to align with specific business goals, ensuring relevance and impact,” Heyn notes.

Why North Texas Innovators Should Get Involved

In North Texas, in particular, the business ecosystem thrives on collaboration, innovation, and talent development. UTD’s Capstone programs embody all three. Companies that engage with these programs also strengthen the region’s pipeline of future-ready talent.

This is your chance to shape the next generation of innovators while solving real challenges. If your company is ready to accelerate innovation, reduce recruitment risks, and stay ahead of industry shifts, there’s no better way than partnering with UTD Capstone programs.

Many North Texas companies are already reaping the benefits of UTD’s Capstone collaborations. Innovation waits for no one—are you ready to seize it?

Apply now to ensure your spot for the Spring 2025 semester

Learn more and apply to UTD’s Senior Capstone Programs — including UTDesign, UTDiscovery, and UTSolv — here. 

To secure your UTDesign spot for the Spring 2025 semester, submit your project proposal here.

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