UT Dallas • Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
CometX Accelerator
A six-week co-curricular accelerator designed to help you develop innovations and become go-to-market ready with expert sessions, mentoring, and a final pitch week.
Program Snapshot
Dates, Time, Location
Summer 2026 Schedules will be posted soon!
Program Dates
July 15 – August 26, 2025
6 weeks + bonus pitch week
Session Time
Tuesdays • 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Weekly in-person sessions
Location
JSOM Executive Education Classroom Area
Naveen Jindal School of Management
Cost
Free
UTD affiliation required
Registration Window
June 1 – July 11, 2025
Apply on StartupTree
Why CometX
Learn from Experts. Build with Momentum.
CometX is led by Terry Russell and brings in experienced CEOs, business leaders, investors, and partners to help founders sharpen their venture and build the skills to launch.
Foundations for Launch
- How to launch your startup concept
- How to properly scale your startup
- How to build the best team
- How to distribute equity (founders, advisors, employees)
- Best practices when pitching to investors
Hands-on, Cohort-Based
Weekly sessions include industry experts, personalized mentoring, and learning from successful founders.
Curriculum
Weekly Topics + Final Pitch Week
A six-week in-person program with a bonus week to pitch your concept to mentors and leaders.
6-Week Core
- The Entrepreneurial Mindset
- Finding and Managing Your Market Opportunities
- Due Diligence and Evaluating Your Opportunity
- Business Models and New Venture Architecture
- New Venture Construction: Legal and Financing
- Communicating and Presenting to Stakeholders
Go-to-Market Readiness
- Validating your idea & product-market fit
- Due diligence & in-depth legal strategy
- Building a strong team
- Financial forecasting
- Pitching investors & fundraising
Eligibility & Apply
Who Can Participate?
Participation is open to all currently enrolled students of any classification/major as well as UT Dallas faculty, staff, and alumni.
Open to UTD Community
Students (any major), faculty, staff, and alumni are welcome to apply.
Apply on StartupTree
Summer 2026 Program dates and application will be posted soon!
Facilitator
Terry Russell, Ph.D.
Dr. Terry Russell is the Managing Director of Interface Ventures, a Texas-based venture studio partnering with
national laboratories, universities, and corporations to build companies solving important problems in energy,
healthcare, and national security.
He has co-founded, financed, and led multiple technology startups; advised government agencies, universities, and corporations on new venture creation; and serves as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at UT Southwestern Medical Center. :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}
Ph.D. in Physics (Boston University) with postdoctoral research at Harvard University. :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}
He has co-founded, financed, and led multiple technology startups; advised government agencies, universities, and corporations on new venture creation; and serves as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at UT Southwestern Medical Center. :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}
Ph.D. in Physics (Boston University) with postdoctoral research at Harvard University. :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}
FAQ
Common Questions
What is an accelerator?
A business accelerator is a fixed-term, cohort-based program that gives developing companies access to mentorship,
educational components, and other support that help them become stable, self-sufficient businesses.
Is this program for me?
If you’re a UT Dallas student, alumnus, faculty member, or staff with a business idea and you want help with target market,
business plan, business model, or revenue model—and want to learn from proven entrepreneurs—CometX could be a great fit.
What can I gain from the program?
You’ll develop an entrepreneurial mindset and skills like creativity, persuasiveness, resourcefulness, problem-solving,
communication, leadership, collaboration, and presentation.
Does the program cost money? Can I earn academic credit?
The program is free to participants (UTD affiliation required) and does not qualify for academic credit.
When and where does it take place?
The program is offered annually in the summer and takes place on-campus at UT Dallas.
Why do you ask questions about the stage of my venture?
The Institute provides programs and resources at no charge; the “cost” to participants is sharing progress data
(e.g., job creation and revenue) so impact can be measured and communicated.
Will the university own my idea or take equity?
If you are a student, the short answer is no. Faculty or employees may need to consider intellectual property rights.
The page points to UT System Board of Regents intellectual property rules for more details.
Contact
Questions about CometX?
Reach out to the program contact listed on the page.
Carol Marcus-Rehtmeyer
Executive Director, Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
carol.marcus-rehtmeyer@utdallas.edu
carol.marcus-rehtmeyer@utdallas.edu