Through NSF I-Corps, Aurum Tech evolved from a technical concept into a market-informed venture with real-world potential.
Founded by Dr. Joshua Ortiz and Gabriel Garcia and supported by the Southwest I-Corps Hub and the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), Aurum Tech participated in the program’s hands-on customer discovery process, engaging directly with farmers, land managers, and industry stakeholders across arid regions. Through more than 30 customer discovery interviews, the team moved beyond the lab to confront the localized challenges of soil degradation and water scarcity. As the founders reflected:
“The customer discovery process allowed us to uncover a true, evidence-based market fit for our product.”
This realization led Aurum Tech to refine its focus on restoring soil health in harsh environments through a dual-action approach. At the core of their solution is the development of customized microbial communities designed to improve crop resilience, support nutrient cycling, and regenerate degraded soils.
To deliver these living systems effectively, the team developed a complementary biochar platform that converts organic waste, such as forestry brush, coffee grounds, and pecan trimmings, into high-performance material. This biochar not only improves soil structure and water retention but also serves as a stable delivery system for beneficial microbes, increasing both the effectiveness and scalability of the solution. By turning waste into a valuable resource, Aurum Tech has created unique opportunities for partnerships in land management and wildfire mitigation, generating both environmental impact and new revenue streams.
With guidance from experienced mentors and support from the Southwest I-Corps Hub network, the team strengthened its value proposition and defined a clear commercialization pathway. What began as a research-driven concept is now a venture positioned at the intersection of agriculture, biotechnology, and sustainability, with applications that extend from West Texas farmland to future space-based environments.
Today, Aurum Tech represents the kind of innovation the Southwest I-Corps Hub and UTEP aim to support: turning research into practical solutions that address pressing environmental hurdles while creating scalable economic impact. The work led by Dr. Ortiz and Mr. Garcia highlights UTEP’s commitment to advancing research that solves complex, real-world problems.
Learn more about Aurum Tech by visiting their website at: https://aurumbio.tech
For more information about the Southwest I-Corps Hub and to apply for an upcoming cohort, please contact Anna-Maria Escherich at amescherich@austin.utexas.edu.
