Innovate Fort Worth: Recent Episodes
UNT Health Science Center
Innovation is changing Fort Worth. Start-ups and a spirit of entrepreneurship are transforming the city known for Cowboys and Culture into a hub for innovative ideas and businesses. Innovate Fort Worth shares the stories of the city’s leading innovators, entrepreneurs and investors —and highlights the resources available to bring ideas to market.
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After 150 episodes covering all aspects of innovation in Fort Worth, the Innovate Fort Worth podcast is coming to an end. Thank you to all of our listeners, guests and supporters who have made this podcast possible over the last five years. Thank you to PNC Bank for serving as our faithful sponsor the last two years. And thank you to all of the HSC folks who made it happen: Kendel Rogers, Jamie Barnhart, Dr. Rob McClain, Alex Branch and Matt Havlik. Thank you also to Rob Upchurch from RobMakesPods Productions for making the show look and sound great for all 150 episodes.
To learn more about HSC Next and Innovation in Fort Worth, visit https://www.hscnext.com
Meet The Honorable Mattie Parker, the Mayor of Fort Worth, a staunch advocate for innovation in our city. Mayor Parker is one of the most innovative mayors in the country and is currently seeking her third term as the Mayor of Funkytown, having served as the 45th Mayor of Fort Worth since 2021. She has been successful in implementing key efforts and community partnerships to bolster Fort Worth’s development, improve public safety, expand access to education and workforce opportunities, and advance the overall quality of life for all residents. Mayor Parker is a licensed attorney, with more than twenty years of experience in national, state and local public affairs, including her service as the chief of staff for Mayor and the Fort Worth City Council where she helped shape major policy decisions on a variety of complex issues. She was the founding CEO of Fort Worth Cradle to Career and the Tarrant To & Through (T3) Partnership. Mayor Parker provides and update on some of the recent progress in innovation in Fort Worth and provides a glimpse into the future about where she thinks our city is headed.
To learn more about the City of Fort Worth, visit https://www.fortworthtexas.gov
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://www.hscnext.com
Meet Lourdes Ramboa, an expert in entrepreneurial mindset education and design thinking principles that is bringing a new course to healthcare professionals in Fort Worth. Lourdes is a Senior Program Manager at HSC Next, where she works with students to help them think more like innovators and entrepreneurs that can solve real world problems and advance solutions for a healthier community. Originally from Panama, Lourdes most recently taught business and entrepreneurship at Tarrant County College and worked at buy.com, Elevate and with clients such as YUM brands, The Dannon Company, and the US National Guard. She shares about her experience in training all of us, yes, all of us, about how we can think and act like an entrepreneur, no matter what our background or experience level may be.
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://www.hscnext.com
Meet Bobby Ahdieh, the game changing Dean who is bringing innovation from around the state to downtown Fort Worth. In this episode, we are talking about academic innovation from the flagship institution of the state, the Texas A&M System. He has been the driving force behind the new Texas A&M Campus in downtown Fort Worth that will not only bring five new buildings to the southeast corner of downtown, but will also bring a focus on innovation and research from the Texas A&M System to Fort Worth. In addition to his role as Dean, Ahdieh is also the VP of Professional schools and Programs and the COO of the Texas A&M Fort Worth campus. Before starting his career in law, Ahdieh also spent extensive time in Cold War Russia and speaks fluent Russian.
To learn more about Texas A&M Fort Worth, visit: https://Fort-Worth.TAMUS.edu
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://hscnext.com
Meet Kelly Baggett, the Innovation Coordinator for the City of Fort Worth’s Economic Development Department. She drives innovation in the city by helping foster policy recommendations to help innovation-led companies, assists companies in filling financing gaps through tax incentives and connects innovation districts around the city. A former librarian, Kelly is driving research and development tax credits for qualified companies to spur innovation and economic growth in Cowtown. Kelly also shares where she thinks innovation is headed in the future and shares a glimpse of some exciting projects on the horizon in Fort Worth. Kelly is also a published author of a children’s book of fables that help explain technology in the connected age.
To learn more about the City of Fort Worth's Department of Economic Development, visit https://fortworthtexas.gov/econdev
To purchase Fables for the Connected Age by Kelly Baggett, visit Monkey and Dog Books or https://a.co/d/8ONO811
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://hscnext.com
Meet Ned Carroll, who is taking the latest technology to the banking industry. He is responsible for overseeing all aspects of PNC’s data strategy that includes PNCs efforts to promote intelligent automation and artificial intelligence throughout their nationwide organization. He shares his views on what he thinks the future will look like for innovation and includes his assessment of AI, machine learning and the future of brick and mortar bank braches. Ned has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry with a focus on data, analytics and risk management. Before joining PNC, he held high level roles at Azimuth, TIAA and Bank of America.
To learn more about PNC Bank, visit https://www.pnc.com
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://www.hscnext.com
Meet Dylan Jones, a serial entrepreneur who wants to make sure your pets are heavy drinkers. His new company, called LYX is providing care for animals by making sure they stay well-hydrated, particularly during those hot Texas summers. LYX provides essential hydration for dogs and will be on the market in the next few months, just in time for summer. The pet nutrition market saw over $700 million in sales last year and Dylan thinks LYX is poised for a big year in 2025. To learn more about LYX, visit https://www.lyxhydration.com
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://www.hscnext.com
Meet Rob Lalka, Professor of Practice and Executive Director of the Albert Lepage Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Tulane University. An expert in entrepreneurship and innovation, Lalka authored The Venture Alchemists: How Big Tech Turned Profits into Power. He has held positions in the U.S. Department of State and organizations like Village Capital and the Howard G. Buffett Foundation.
To learn more about Rob, visit https://roblalka.com
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://hscnext.com
Meet Sasko Cuklev, Head of On-Road Solutions at Volvo Autonomous Solutions. He oversees Volvo's autonomous freight trucks operating in Fort Worth, serving destinations in El Paso and Houston. Volvo's new office in Fort Worth's South Main Street is driving innovation and advancing driverless technology.
To learn more about Volvo Autonomous Solutions, visit https://volvoautonomoussolutions.com
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://hscnext.com
Join us for a year-end review as we reflect on the highlights of 2024. Our producers, Kendel Rogers and Rob Upchurch, discuss favorite episodes, notable guests, and emerging trends in Fort Worth's entrepreneurial landscape.
To learn more about Innovate Fort Worth, vitist https://InnovateFortWorthPodcast.com
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://HSCNext.com
To learn more about RobMakesPods Productions, visit https://RobMakesPods.com
Meet Danny Bush, CEO and founder of Fun on the Run Plus One, an app connecting people seeking social activities. Inspired by her experiences as a Hurricane Katrina survivor, Bush created an app to foster lasting connections and turn strangers into friends.
To learn more about Fun on the Run Plus One, visit https://funontherun.co
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://hscnext.com
Meet Tom Chapman, founder of Chapman & Company, CEO of Peeq Industries, and a seasoned venture capitalist. He is a leading expert on measuring the health and performance of entrepreneurial ecosystems, having studied ecosystems across the nation and conducted extensive research on Fort Worth's entrepreneurial landscape.
To learn more about Chapman & Company, visit https://chapmanandcompany.co
To learn more about Peeq Pro, visit https://peeqpro.com and use code FTWORTH10 to save on your purchase.
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://hscnext.com
Meet Paulo Gregory, an entrepreneurial ecosystem builder in Baltimore, Maryland. A designer, inventor, consultant, artist, and performer, Gregory is also the developer of Cohado, a game that embodies community development and cooperation. He founded The Black Butterfly Network to support entrepreneurs of color in Baltimore and is an active member of the Startup Champions Network.
To learn more about Coahdo, visit https://cohado.com
To learn more about the Black Butterfly Network, visit https://blkbtrfly.network
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://hscnext.com
Meet Robert Litan, an attorney at Berger Montague and a distinguished economist, author, and public policy expert. With nearly four decades of experience, Litan has held significant roles in the U.S. government, including at the Office of Management and Budget and the Justice Department. He also served as Vice President for Research and Policy at the Kauffman Foundation and is currently a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution. Litan has authored over 30 books, including Good Capitalism, Bad Capitalism, Trillion Dollar Economists, and Better Capitalism.
Find Robert's book, RESOLVED: Debate Can Revolutionize Education and Help Save Our Democracy — and 30 other publications — wherever you purchase books.
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://hscnext.com
Meet Maria Meyers, founder of Sourcelink, a resource navigator assisting entrepreneurs and innovators. She also serves as Vice Chancellor for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Maria is a leading authority on building entrepreneurial communities, particularly for main street businesses and first-time founders. Her work emphasizes the importance of data-driven insights for understanding the health of entrepreneurial ecosystems.
To learn more about Sourcelink, visit https://joinsourcelink.com
To learn more about Sparkyard, visit https://sparkyard.co
To learn more about Startup Grind, visit https://startupgrind.com
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://hscnext.com
Meet Mark Lawrence, founder and managing partner of Inncuvate. This entrepreneurship-led economic development enterprise specializes in creating innovative hubs that transform communities. Mark is an advisor, investor, and active member of management teams for several promising Mid-Atlantic startups. He serves on the boards of organizations like the Startup Champions Network and mentors aspiring entrepreneurs.
To learn more about Inncuvate, visit https://inncuvate.com
To learn more about Startup Champions Network, visit https://startupchampions.co
To learn more about Startup Grind, visit https://startupgrind.com
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://hscnext.com
Meet Kirby Smith, the CEO of Harnyss, a startup that aims to revolutionize the energy storage industry by offering innovative, sustainable, and reliable solutions. Their products and services are designed to address the growing demand for clean energy and grid stability. With a focus on cutting-edge technologies like solid-state hydrides and supercapacitors, Harnyss is positioned to become a leader in the energy storage market. Their focus on energy density and operational reliability help various industries reach scale with their hydrogen supply.
To learn more about Harnyss, visit https://harnyss.com
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://hscnext.com
The newest cohort of the Techstars physical health accelerator has arrived in Fort Worth. Meet two of the companies that are improving the physical, mental and whole health of patients through their innovative startup companies.
This episode features Mitchell Leshchiner from ElectroKare, Aleksandr Malashchenko from ReviMo, and Haroon Ahmad, M.D., from Proton Health.
To learn more about ElectroKare, visit https://electrokare.com
To learn more about ReviMo visit https://revimo.co
To learn more about Proton Health, visit https://proton-health.com
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://hscnext.com
The newest cohort of the Techstars physical health accelerator has arrived in Fort Worth. Meet two of the companies that are improving the physical, mental and whole health of patients through their innovative startup companies.
This episode features Daniel Yeboah from Revella Health and Nikhil Madan from FluteSpace.
To learn more about Revella Health, visit https://revellahealth.com
To learn more about FluteSpace, visit https://flutespace.com
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://hscnext.com
The newest cohort of the Techstars physical health accelerator has arrived in Fort Worth. Meet two of the companies that are improving the physical, mental and whole health of patients through their innovative startup companies.
This episode features Alex Heaton from Athlete and Tom Griffiths from Gale Payments.
To learn more about Athlete, visit https://lifeathlete.co
To learn more about Gale Payments, visit https://withgale.com
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://hscnext.com
The newest cohort of the Techstars physical health accelerator has arrived in Fort Worth. Meet two of the companies that are improving the physical, mental and whole health of patients through their innovative startup companies.
This episode features Abasi Ene-Obong from Syndicate Bio and Luis Pierpauli from Gisens Biotech.
To learn more about Syndicate Bio, visit https://syndicate.bio
To learn more about Gisens Biotech, visit https://gisensbiotech.com
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://hscnext.com
The newest cohort of the Techstars physical health accelerator has arrived in Fort Worth. Meet two of the companies that are improving the physical, mental and whole health of patients through their innovative startup companies.
This episode features Leon Jacobson from Nerveli and Tom Chapman from Peeq Pro.
To learn more about Nerveli, visit https://getnerveli.com
To learn more about Peeq Pro, visit https://peeqpro.com
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://hscnext.com
The adoption space isn’t known for innovation. But Mark Melson is changing that. The Gladney Center is an adoption center, connecting families and children to education, resources, cutting edge tools. For over 135 years, they have been a pioneer in the field of adoption. Committed to finding loving homes for children, Gladney offers a range of services to birth parents, adoptive families, and children. Through the use of technology, Gladney has facilitated connections between birth parents and adoptive families, ensuring a more efficient and supportive adoption process. After going through a recent acquisition, they now offer services outside of Fort Worth and have offices in Delaware, New York and Pennsylvania, just to name a few.
To learn more about the Gladney Center for Adoption, visit: https://adoptionsbygladney.com
To learn more about HSC Next, visit: https://hscnext.com
Meet Demetrie King, the local app builder who is working to connect customers with local merchants so they can make sure and stock their favorite brands. Pivoting from a company that stocked vending machines based on consumer preferences, Market Match gives customers the opportunity to customize their experience at smoke shops, wedding venues, travel destinations, concerts, and more. He is also using and innovative giveaway program to incentivize users to keep sharing their preferences. Similar to the swiping functionality of apps like Tinder, Market Match gives the power to the consumer to get when what they want, where they want it. To learn more about Market Match, visit https://marketmatch.app
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://hscnext.com
Nobody knows change like Jason McCann. CEO of Vari, the DFW based company revolutionizing office furniture, Jason discusses Vari's journey. From a simple sit-stand desk converter to a full-fledged office furniture leader, Vari is disrupting the industry with its direct-to-consumer model and focus on speed, simplicity, and flexibility. Jason shares his vision for the future of workspaces and wellness and Vari's role in shaping it, along with insights into his serial entrepreneur background and advice for aspiring innovators.
Learn more about Vari at https://www.vari.com/
Learn more about HSC Next at https://www.hscnext.com/
Victor Hwang is empowering entrepreneurs by improving state and local policy. As the CEO of Right to Start, he and his team are advocating for entrepreneurs in governments around the country to ensure their voices are heard. By initiating round tables and cross-country road trips, Victor is meeting and teaching entrepreneurs across the nation how to work with their local governments to inform change. Right to Start is leveling the playing field for starters, makers, doers and dreamers that are building our country.
Learn more about Right to Start: https://www.righttostart.org
Learn more about HSC Next: https://www.hscnext.com
Jenny McDonald is tackling policy on behalf of entrepreneurs across the country. She is the Assistant Director of Activism and Special Projects at The Institute for Justice (IJ) and IJ’s Cities Works program, where she is meeting entrepreneurs, getting to the root of business struggles, and helping local government find solutions to those problems. Jenny shares the discoveries from the 2023 IJ report for Fort Worth around local entrepreneur’s biggest hurdles and recommendations for the city on how to overcome those challenges.
Find the IJ Fort Worth report here: https://ij.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2023-Fort-Worth-Insights-Week-Report_web.pdf
Learn more about Institute for Justice here: IJ.org
Learn more about HSC Next here: hscnext.com
Explore the future of cancer care with Dr. Kartik Krishnan, CEO of OncoNano Medicine, a biotech company revolutionizing treatment with a new technology targeting solid tumors with high precision. Dr. Krishnan will discuss their innovative approach, leveraging the immune system and CPRIT grants to fast-track impactful therapies, while highlighting the supportive role of the Fort Worth entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Learn more about OncoNano here: https://www.onconano.com
Learn more about HSC Next at https://www.hscnext.com
Wade Myers is looking for entrepreneurs who are solving some of the world’s toughest challenges. He is the CEO of Eagle Venture Fund, a venture studio and investment firm, and they focus on opportunities that will positively impact other people. He sees innovation to tackle tough problems, like creating economic opportunities for entrepreneurs, fighting against human trafficking, and broadening healthcare access. Eagle Ventures is also innovating tools to support founders, through their Pro Forma pitch competition which allows founders to use their proprietary software to help entreprneurs and investors alike.
Learn more about Eagle Ventures at https://www.eagleventurefund.com/
Learn more about HSC Next at https://www.hscnext.com
Remember that baby gorilla that was born at the Fort Worth Zoo earlier this year? Meet Dr. Ja#122 mie Erwin, the human OB/GYN that performed the rare procedure to birth a gorilla, alongside a team of experts, that made national news. Dr. Erwin shares the story of her work at the Fort Worth Zoo consulting on several different medical issues that need assistance at the zoo, and she talks about her all-female obstetrics and gynecology practice called Vivi Women’s Health. Her practice is exploring an idea to develop one of the first birthing centers that is connected to a hospital in the state.
To learn more about Dr. Erwin and Vivi Women's Health, visit: https://www.vivifw.com
To learn more about HSC Next visit: https://www.hscnext.com
Peter de Silva is sharing his secrets on business and community leadership. After an extensive career in the banking and finance industry, Peter shares his experience on how he served his local community and helped establish Kansas City as “America’s Most Entrepreneurial City.” He also overcome the effects of a debilitating disease that he is now working to treat and raise money for research that can lead to a cure. Peter shares advice and observations in his latest book “Taking Stock: 10 Life and Leadership Lessons From My Seat at the Table” for business leaders investing in their companies, employees, and community.
Learn more about Peter de Silva at https://peterjdesilva.com
Learn more about HSC Next at https://www.hscnext.com/
When it comes to innovating the future for nurses, Dr. Cindy Weston is on the front lines. She is the dean of The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth’s new College of Nursing, launching in the fall of 2024. She shares her experience as a nurse and what it takes to build out a new nursing program to meet the statewide nursing shortage. Weston also shares how the nursing profession has changed in the past years as well as how she plans to support nurses in identifying problems in healthcare and thinking innovatively to find solutions.
Learn more about the HSC College of Nursing at https://www.unthsc.edu/college-of-nursing/
Learn more about HSC Next at https://www.hscnext.com/
Chris Rawley is finding innovative ways to invest in local farmers. Through Harvest Returns, people can micro invest to support farmers buying new equipment or services to grow and scale their farms. With Rawley’s unique background in the military and witnessing how the agricultural industry can be improved, he is introducing new ways to invest in securing our food supplies and getting involved in their local agricultural communities.
To learn more about Harvest Returns, visit: https://www.harvestreturns.com
To learn more about HSC Next, visit: https://www.hscnext.com/
When it comes to life science innovation in DFW, Kelly Cloud has a front row seat to it all. Kelly is the vice president of life sciences at the Dallas Regional Chamber, the organization that champions economic growth and development in the North Texas region. She shares the innovation happening with biotech companies, the future vision of the region’s economic growth, and what they are doing to foster and recruit companies in life sciences and biotechnology ecosystems.
Please visit the Dallas Regional Chamber at https://www.dallaschamber.org
Please visit the DFW Economic Development Guide at https://lifesciencedfw.com/
Please visit Innovate Fort Worth at https://www.hscnext.com/
The future of transportation is taking to the skies. Meet Mark Lambright, the CEO of Trident Airships, the cargo transportation company that is innovating how we move products efficiently. Utilizing a hybrid lift system, Trident can enter remote locations using unseen maneuverability capabilities. Not only showcasing cutting-edge technology, Trident is reducing operating costs and carbon emissions in comparison to other cargo logistics options on the market.
To learn more about Trident Airships, visit: https://www.tridentairships.com
To learn more about HSC Next, visit: https://www.hscnext.com
Maëlle Gavet, CEO of Techstars, shares insights into the world of entrepreneurship and startup investing. Techstars has invested in over 4,000 startups globally, making them the largest seed investor in the world for the second year in a row. She was recently named as one of the 100 Most Influential Women in US Finance in 2024 by Barron’s. Maëlle discusses the diverse industries ripe for disruption and Techstars' ethos of "give first." Reflecting on her entrepreneurial journey and the global economic landscape, she offers practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and highlights the role of startups in addressing healthcare challenges and shaping the future.
Learn more about Techstars here: https://www.techstars.com
Learn more about the Techstars Physical Health Accelerator in Fort Worth here: https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/physical-health-fort-worth
Learn more about HSC Next here: https://www.hscnext.com
When it comes to diversity and inclusion in the workforce, auticon US is doing just that. David Aspinall, CEO of auticon US, shares how autistic individuals are thinking differently about solving their clients most challenging technological issues. By restructuring their hiring process, supportive job coaching and client management, autistic individuals are finding valuable careers in the workforce that fit their strengths.
Learn more about auticon US here: www.auticon.com/us/
Learn more about Innovate Fort Worth here: www.innovatefortworthpodcast.com
For cancer patients going through chemotherapy, hair loss can be a heartbreaking reality. Lisa Ferrand, CEO of Warrior Caps, is preserving hair from chemotherapy hair loss through her cold cap technology. Her cold caps are sub-zero gel-lined “beanies” that freeze the hair follicle and increases retention of hair during chemotherapy. As a cancer survivor herself, she understands the delicate relationship that people have with their hair and how helping them preserve this sense of normalcy can help them navigate this difficult disease.
Learn more about Warrior Caps here: https://warriorcaps.com
Learn more about HSC Next here: https://www.hscnext.com
When it comes to local community impact, banks play a big role. Meet Brendan McGuire, Regional President of PNC Bank in North Texas. Brendan oversees PNC's lines of business, sponsorship, philanthropy, and branding efforts that are crucial to PNC's national main street banking model. With active roles in various local community organizations, McGuire is recognized as one of the most influential leaders in North Texas. He sheds light on PNC's national footprint, small town feel and its longstanding commitment to supporting innovation and entrepreneurship. McGuire shares insights on where he thinks the North Texas economy is headed, shares advice for entrepreneurs with crazy ideas, and provides valuable banking insights for startups.
Learn more about PNC Bank at www.pnc.com
Learn more about HSC Next at www.hscnext.com
Panthera BioSolutions is a company that's reshaping the landscape of pharmaceutical and biotech innovation. Founded in 2021 by visionaries Hardik Patel and Jason Mastoris, Panthera stands at the forefront of addressing long-standing unmet needs in the industry. Their approach to include the introduction of first-to-market, ready-to-use, leasable cleanrooms in North Texas. Learn how these spaces empower local companies to seamlessly scale up to GMP standards, supporting clinical trial execution, and optimizing costs, as well as educating the future of biotech work force.
Learn more about Panthera BioSolutions at https://www.pantherabiosolutions.com
Learn more about Innovate Fort Worth at www.innovatefortworthpodcast.com
Learn more about HSC Next at www.hscnext.com
Most entrepreneurs are too busy innovating and growing their companies to advocate for themselves in our nation’s capital. But our guest on this first edition of a new series called “The Big Picture” is working to bring the message that entrepreneurship is critical to the future of the American economy to our lawmakers and policymakers in Washington, DC. Meet John Dearie, the Founder and CEO of the Center for American Entrepreneurship, a non-profit research, policy and advocacy organization that works to achieve a policy environment that promotes new business formation, survival and growth. John shares his work at the national level with our audience and sheds light on some local issues that startups and innovators face around the country.
To learn more about the Center for American Entrepreneurship, visit: https://www.startupsusa.org/
To learn more about the Innovate Fort Worth podcast, visit: https://www.innovatefortworthpodcast.com/
To learn more about HSC Next, visit: https://www.hscnext.com/
The producers who work behind the scenes of the podcast join our host to look back on the year that was 2023. Kendel Rogers from HSC Next and Rob Upchurch of RobMakesPods Productions share their experiences of making Innovate Fort Worth and growing it to over 100 episodes. They also share stories of their favorite guests that stood out throughout the year. Kendel, Rob and Cameron discuss some trends in innovation that they saw this year and they reveal the top five episodes of all time. They also share a sneak peek of what is to come in 2024!
To learn more about the Innovate Fort Worth podcast, visit: https://www.innovatefortworthpodcast.com/ To learn more about HSC Next, visit: https://www.hscnext.com/ To learn more about RobMakesPods Productions, visit: https://www.robmakespods.com/
One of the most impactful business organizations in Fort Worth in the past 50 years is the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FWHCC). And the president who is leading that charge through innovation and intentional community programs is Anette Landeros. The FWHCC has developed new programs to better serve their membership and the Historic Northside with revitalization and activation planning. With the announcement of the Main Street America pilot program, accessible pitch competitions, Lanzar Fort Worth featuring the Kauffman Foundation’s Fast Trac program, the Hecho en Fort Worth initiative, and much more, Anette is rapidly improving Hispanic business community in Fort Worth.
To learn more about the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, visit them at https://fwhcc.org
To learn more about Innovate Fort Worth, visit https://innovatefortworthpodcast.com
What started as a digital community space for women in her community, Victoria Wise realized she was on to something that could have much bigger impact. Tanglewood Moms was the platform that helped launch the media publication Madeworthy that shares original content for family audiences in Fort Worth. Her publications have created a new source for local information that are contributing to the growing culture of Fort Worth.
To learn more about Made Worthy and Tangelwood Moms, visit them at https://tanglewoodmoms.com/madeworthy-magazine/
To learn more about Innovate Fort Worth, visit https://innovatefortworthpodcast.com
When it comes to trash collection, Micah Stateson wouldn’t say it is his dream job. But owning his own business was. While working at a local defense contractor he dreamed of the day he could be his own boss. When he dove into research around multi-family trash collection, he saw an opportunity and decided to change how it was done. Through intentionality and quality service, Micah started Optimized Waste Removal and brought back the business operations and services that are lost in today’s world. He shares how he eventually took the plunge into entrepreneurship, the lessons he has learned he hard way, and how future entrepreneurs can follow in his footsteps.
To learn more about Optimized Waste Removal, visit them at https://www.optimizedwasteremoval.com
To learn more about Innovate Fort Worth, visit https://www.innovatefortworthpodcast.com
Healthcare is changing every day, and AmritaGen is pioneering the discovery of a new gene therapy for treating neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. James Simpkins is the CEO of AmritaGen, a company seeking to rebuild brain circuits and stimulate neurological activity in people with mild cognitive impairment. This therapy method can be utilized for delivering drug treatments for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), sporadic AD (sAD), Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and Traumatic Brain Injury.
To learn more about AmritaGen, vist them at https://amritagen.com
To learn more about Innovate Fort Worth, visit https://innovatefortworthpodcast.com
The newest cohort of the Techstars physical health accelerator has arrived in Fort Worth. Meet two of the companies that are improving the physical, mental and whole health of patients through their innovative startup companies. This episode features Laura Epstein from Pulse Charter Connect and Shivam Ramphal from Maya AI.
To learn more about Pulse Charter Connect, visit https://pulsecharterconnect.com/
To learn more about Maya AI, visit https://meetmaya.world
To learn more about the Techstars physical health accelerator in Fort Worth, visit https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/physical-health-fort-worth
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://www.hscnext.com/en/
The newest cohort of the Techstars physical health accelerator has arrived in Fort Worth. Meet two of the companies that are improving the physical, mental and whole health of patients through their innovative startup companies. This episode features Federico Casas from Somos and Isis Ashford-Swain from Xplosion.
To learn more about Somos, visit https://www.somos.me
To learn more about Xplosion, visit https://www.xplosionlive.com
To learn more about the Techstars physical health accelerator in Fort Worth, visit https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/physical-health-fort-worth
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://www.hscnext.com/en/
The newest cohort of the Techstars physical health accelerator has arrived in Fort Worth. Meet two of the companies that are improving the physical, mental and whole health of patients through their innovative startup companies.
This episode features Thiv Paramsothy from Hera Fertility and Luca Buratto from LUBU.
To learn more about Hera Fertility, visit https://www.herafertility.co
To learn more about lubu, visit https://www.lubu.ai
To learn more about the Techstars physical health accelerator in Fort Worth, visit https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/physical-health-fort-worth
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://www.hscnext.com/en/
The newest cohort of the Techstars physical health accelerator has arrived in Fort Worth. Meet two of the companies that are improving the physical, mental and whole health of patients through their innovative startup companies. This episode features Kristen Carbone from Brilliantly and Miller Morris from Comma.
To learn more about Brilliantly, visit https://brilliantly.co
To learn more about Comma, visit https://yourcomma.com
To learn more about the Techstars physical health accelerator in Fort Worth, visit https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/physical-health-fort-worth
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://www.hscnext.com/en/
The newest cohort of the Techstars physical health accelerator has arrived in Fort Worth. Meet two of the companies that are improving the physical, mental and whole health of patients through their innovative startup companies. This episode features Sydney Robinson from Vessl Prosthetics and Lisa Voronkova from ComeBack Mobility.
To learn more about Vessl Prosthetics, visit https://vesslpro.com/
To learn more about ComeBack Mobility, visit https://comebackmobility.com/
To learn more about the Techstars physical health accelerator in Fort Worth, visit https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/physical-health-fort-worth
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://www.hscnext.com/en/
No one has done more to drive innovation in Fort Worth than the guest featured on our 100th episode... Meet John Goff, the real estate tycoon of Fort Worth. As a true visionary in Fort Worth, he's been a driving force for innovation in the city, and on this episode, we dive deep into his incredible journey. John's role to increase innovation started with the Fort Worth Now initiative, initiated by former Mayor Betsy Price in spring 2021. He delves into the charge from Mayor Price and the strategies he employed to make Fort Worth economically stronger in the wake in the COVID-19 pandemic. He shares about the Aggieland North project and the vision behind it, shedding light on its significance for Fort Worth. He also shares about his exciting commercial development project in the cultural district, The Crescent, which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2023. John shares his aspirations for Fort Worth and what he sees as the Fort Worth of the future.
To learn more about John Goff, visit them at https://crescent.com
To learn more about Innovate Fort Worth, visit www.innovatefortworthpodcast.com
Everyone has had the common cold. Often, the cause of the cold is a viral infection, but antibiotics only work on bacterial infections. But people are prescribed antibiotics for their viral infections 80% of the time. ENTVantage is working to change that. By creating a device that can diagnose if cold symptoms are bacterial or a viral, doctors are now able to prescribe the right medicine to their patients. Dr. Oriana Hawkins and Joe Skraba share how they aim to reduce the abuse of antibiotics and provide doctors the tools necessary to diagnose their patients in the clinics.
To learn more about ENTVantage, visit them at www.entvantagedx.com/
To learn more about Innovate Fort Worth, visit www.innovatefortworthpodcast.com.
Local dentist, Meilin Howard, was experiencing a problem. When it came to her dental mirror, it was hard for her to keep it clean during dentist appointments. She decided to solve her own problem and began looking into innovating her traditional dental tools. What she discovered was a larger problem than she suspected. Now she is looking for ways to fix the problems she and many other dentists face in the dental industry. Listen to how she is maximizing local resources to support her innovations in dentistry, how she identifies problems worth innovating, and how Fort Worth became her home.
Innovation and art share something in common: creativity. That is why DJ Perera is teaching students the value of utilizing innovation not just in the classroom, but for their future. As an immigrant and art student at Texas Christian University, Perera’s world widened from the opportunity education provided him. But he also learned the necessity of using creativity to be innovative in art, but also in life. Now, after recieiving many awards and honors, he is teaching his students about using technology in art, innovating the artistic space, and how creativity and innovation build off each other.
To learn more about DJ Perera, visit https://djperera.com/
To learn more about Innovate Fort Worth, visit https://www.hscnext.com/en/page/innov...
Hiring the right person for the right job can be difficult. And sometimes, our unconscious biases can unknowingly keep us from hiring the right candidate. Dr. Allison Silveus is leveling the playing field by using technology to make better hiring decisions, without human interference. Her startup, Unbent, is focusing on improving the hiring process through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to remove unconscious bias and improve hiring outcomes. Allison also shares how anybody can be an innovator by solving everyday problems and she shares her tips and tricks when pitching in pitch competitions.
To learn more about Unbent, visit https://unbent.io
To learn more about Innovate Fort Worth, visit https://www.hscnext.com/en/page/innovate-fort-worth-podcast-en
When it comes to reinventing old spaces in Fort Worth, look no further than the twins who are revitalizing Fort Worth through real estate. Jessica Miller Essl is co-president of M2G Ventures with her sister, Susan Miller Gruppi, and they are creating innovative spaces through human-centric design. They focus on commercial real estate, but also foster investment opportunities to bring in cool businesses that represent Fort Worth’s funky flair. Spaces like The Foundry District, Mule Alley in the Stockyards, and the innovations happening in the O.B. Macaroni building are embracing the history of the area while infusing a vision of the future. She discusses their approach to cultivating Fort Worth’s culture in their projects, what it’s like to work with family, and where they see the future of real estate in Fort Worth heading.
To learn more about M2GVentures, visit https://www.m2gventures.com
To learn more about Innovate Fort Worth, visit https://www.hscnext.com/en/page/innovate-fort-worth-podcast-en
Innovate Fort Worth is proud to announce their new website, www.innovatefortworth.com. Check out our current featured innovator, as well as all past podcast guests. While you’re there, fill out our podcast listener survey. Be the first 50 survey participants to win an exclusive Innovate Fort Worth Stanley travel tumbler.
When Dr. Tre Welch watched a traditional heart stent placed in a child with congenital heart disease, he knew there had to be a better way. He invented a bioresorbable heart stent made with materials that flex and grow with children, which results in fewer heart surgeries over time. Welch shares his experience pitching his idea and how he used Fort Worth’s biotech resources to support his startup, like the HSC Next SBIR Phase 0 program, Tech Fort Worth, and DesignPlex Biomedical.
To learn more about Tremedics, visit their website at www.tremedics.com
To learn more about Innovate Fort Worth, visit www.innovatefortworthpodcast.com
To learn more about HSC Next, www.hscnext.com
In the heart of Fort Worth’s historic Stockyards is a fast-growing, homegrown media tech company that is changing the digital advertising industry. Simpli.fi is disrupting traditional media buying by utilizing AI automation, machine learning, and integrated software to serve their clients. By providing cutting edge technology like mobile ad geofencing, strategic localized ad buying campaigns, and a platform to connect business owners and advertisers, Simpli.fi has made reaching customers easier than ever before. Spencer Traver, vice president of marketing at Simpli.fi, shares insights on how their software solutions automate workflow for businesses, what he thinks the future of adtech looks like, and the latest rebranding efforts of the company.
To learn more about Simpli.fi, visit their website at www.simpli.fi
To learn more about Innovate Fort Worth, visit www.innovatefortworthpodcast.com
To learn more about HSC Next, www.hscnext.com
When it comes to testing an idea and taking it to market in 30 days, Charlie Lass is the entrepreneur leading the charge. He is the CEO of Dallas.Inc and Fort Worth.Inc, companies that guide entrepreneurs finding product-market fit. Recently he launched Humble.Inc, a platform designed to support the mental health of entrepreneurs by creating a space of transparency and community. Hear how he uses his past entrepreneurial experience to make change, why Fort Worth is primed for disruption, and how he was once nominated for a BAFTA.
To learn more about Dallas.Inc, visit their website at https://www.dallas.inc/
To learn more about Humble.Inc, visit their website at https://www.humble.inc/
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://www.hscnext.com/
Listen to our continued conversation with Danguole Altman, CEO of Cx Precision Medicine and be sure to check out part one in episode 90.
More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s Disease, and even more with Dementia and Parkinson’s. Cx Precision Medicine’s CEO, Danguole Altman, is focused on tackling this big problem for an aging population. Based on Dr. Sid O’Bryant’s revolutionary research at HSC, Cx Precision Medicine is bringing this important diagnostic technology to help people all over the world. Through a clinical diagnostic, Cx Precision Medicine is conducting screening tests to detect Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases based on blood biomarkers, AI and machine learning. Cx aims to “Change eXpectations” around how doctors diagnose Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Want to learn more? Listen to episodes 20 and 21 with Dr. Sid O’Bryant to learn more about his research.
To learn more about Cx Precision Medicine, visit their website at https://cxprecisionm.com
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://www.hscnext.com
More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s Disease, and even more with Dementia and Parkinson’s. CX Precision Medicine’s CEO, Danguole Altman, is focused on tackling this big problem for an aging population. Based on Dr. Sid O’Bryant’s revolutionary research at HSC, CX Precision Medicine is bringing this important diagnostic technology to help people all over the world. Through a clinical diagnostic, CX Precision Medicine is conducting screening tests to detect Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases based on blood biomarkers, AI and machine learning. CX aims to “Change eXpectations” around how doctors diagnose Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Want to learn more? Listen to episodes 20 and 21 with Dr. Sid O’Bryant to learn more about his research.
To learn more about CX Precision Medicine, visit their website at https://cxprecisionm.com
To learn more about HSC Next, visit https://www.hscnext.com
Data is the new oil, and people are more invested in their data than ever before. Nick Goggans is the entrepreneur making sense of it all. Nick is the CEO of Pumpjack Dataworks, and he is guiding the sports and entertainment industry to better understand their audience. He supports sports teams on how to ethically organize and understand their audiences to better serve their fans. The DFW metroplex is home to over 20 professional sports teams, and is quickly becoming the sports center of the world. This foundation is propelling Pumpjack Dataworks into work on a global scale.
Learn more about Pumpjack Dataworks here: https://pumpjackdataworks.com/
Learn more about HSC Next here: https://www.hscnext.com/
Innovate Fort Worth is powered by PNC Bank.
From a back-of-the-napkin idea to a functioning prototype, DesignPlex Bio is the full-service development company helping entrepreneurs take their idea to the next step. Robert Benkowski is the CEO of DesignPlex, and he is just as innovative as the innovators he serves. Building medical devices and prototyping is essential for healthcare innovators who have to meet strict requirements from regulators. His team supports researchers and entrepreneurs by guiding them through the regulatory process to take their ideas from the napkin to the patient.
Learn more about DesignPlex at https://designplexbio.com
Learn more about HSC Next at https://www.hscnext.com
The future of electric, self-driving delivery vehicles has arrived. Meet Meelis Anton, the COO of Clevon. Clevon is the Estonian company bringing autonomous delivery vehicles to Fort Worth from their US headquarters at Alliance Texas. They aim to meet the delivery driver labor shortage by operating self-driving cars to deliver groceries and food in local neighborhoods, even in bad weather. The vehicles are fully electric, and while driverless, they can also be driven through teleoperation. This means a driver, located at the headquarters can see through cameras and control the vehicle using a remote steering wheel. Currently, they are focusing on the logistic and warehouse industries, but see applications in other areas.
To learn more about Clevon, visit: https://clevon.com
To learn more about Innovate Fort Worth, visit: www.hscnext.com
Scotty Scott has a story that many entrepreneurs share. He started with aspirations in politics, though his passion was in his hobbies like hosting dinner parties and telling stories. CookDrankEat is Scotty’s food journey from a hobbyist to an influencer, author, and entrepreneur. He shares how influencers are innovating, his inspiration for writing his cookbook “Fix Me A Plate”, and how Fort Worth supported Scotty Scott and other creatives entrepreneurs become successful.
Follow Scotty Scott at @ CookDrankEat
Follow Innovate Fort Worth at @ InnovateFortWorth
From Shark Tank to successful exit, hear the story of how Supply sold from the cofounder himself, Patrick Coddou. We brought back our guest from episode 66 to share what happened since he was on the show and how and why he decided to sell the company. Founded in 2015, Coddou shares stories of the highs and lows of building the ecommerce company throughout the years. He explains why it’s his employees that make the company great, what to expect when a company is getting acquired, and some lessons learned as an entrepreneur building the company.
HSC is harnessing the power of simulation to teach medicine in a different way. Karen Meadows is the director of HSC’s Simulation Center an interactive, immersive space that offers virtual reality, augmented reality, robotic mannequins, hololens, and 3D simulated experiences. Students use this space of the future to confidently train for different healthcare situations in a safe atmosphere. The Sim Center also focuses on supporting public health by offering additional trainings around emergencies, natural disasters and new technologies to existing healthcare providers.
Where community development meets economic development, you will find Co.Starters. Jose Alfaro, CEO of Co.Starters, has a passion for artists, creative entrepreneurs, and small business owners. He says that entrepreneurs who are a part of a supportive community have a higher success rate, and through Co.Starters, a 90% success rate. Co.Starters aims to supply the education, resources, tools, but especially a community, to the entrepreneurs and business owners that are the bedrock of unique and vibrant communities in various cities.
Every entrepreneur knows that finding funding is difficult. And sometimes, investors want you to give away tons of equity in exchange for their capital. That’s where “America’s Seed Fund” or SBIR grants, come in! In this episode, Dr. Robert McClain, Assistant Vice President of Research and Innovation at HSC, explains his findings around the lack of SBIR grants awarded in Tarrant County. He dives into the details around why Tarrant County is not winning more of these awards, and what can be done to change this. He believes that assisting entrepreneurs to tap into these grant awards will catalyze innovation in Fort Worth.
The producers who work behind the scenes of the podcast join our host to look back on 2022. Kendel Rogers from HSC Next and Rob Upchurch of RobMakesPods share their experiences of making Innovate Fort Worth and growing it to 80+ episodes. They also share stories of their favorite guests that stood out throughout the year. Cameron, Kendel, and Rob discuss what Innovate Fort Worth has grown into and what it means for the community. They will also share a sneak peek of what is to come in 2023!
Cam Sadler, an Innovate Fort Worth alum and founder of NewCraft, is back in the hot seat to answer questions around his exit experience. Cam shares what he has been up to since his move back to Fort Worth from San Francisco, what trends he has seen in the startup space from coast to coast, and what he plans to do next.
It takes a big heart to tackle a big problem. Meet Munatsi Manyande, the executive director of the DASH Network, an organization with an innovative approach to helping asylum seekers. People seeking asylum arrive with nothing and aren’t eligible for government benefits, and this is where the DASH Network steps in. They provide housing, food, language training and more in one of the largest program serving asylum seekers in the country. Munatsi explains the difference between asylum seekers and refugees, how the DASH Network is holistically serving people who are often overlooked, and what is next for the nonprofit.
When it comes to making Fort Worth a world class city, Carlo Capua has some ideas. He is the Chief of Strategy and Innovation at The City of Fort Worth, and has already found ways to infuse innovation into the culture of Cowtown. He discusses how the bitcoin mining operation that has opened Fort Worth to be a “living laboratory” by trying new things and not being afraid to fail. Carlo is also exploring how to innovate current infrastructure and processes to strengthen and improve various communities in Fort Worth. He also shares how Fort Worth is embracing and changing for the better by taking on new opportunities in media, education, sports, technology, and global relations.
How do you scale our food supply for the future? Eddy Badrina from Eden Green Technology is doing just that. Redefining how produce is traditionally grown, Eden Green uses greenhouses, powered by the Texas sun and tons of technology, to provide local, nutritious, and sustainable leafy greens. Using their patented hydroponic system to ensure quality, flavor and freshness, Eden Green lettuce is grown with no pesticides or preservatives in their controlled environment. Eden Green is innovating how to grow food for the masses faster, healthier and more efficiently than ever before.
The first class of the Techstars physical health accelerator program has arrived in Fort Worth. Meet two of the companies that are improving the physical, mental and whole health of patients through their innovative startup companies. This episode features Brendan Sullivan from Zama Health and Alex Theodorou from Neurofit.
The first class of the Techstars physical health accelerator program has arrived in Fort Worth. Meet two of the companies that are improving the physical, mental and whole health of patients through their innovative startup companies. This episode features Dave Sekowski from Wellest, Stefan Weiss from Straffr, and Hamza Shaikh from Stabl.
The first class of the Techstars physical health accelerator program has arrived in Fort Worth. Meet two of the companies that are improving the physical, mental and whole health of patients through their innovative startup companies. This episode features Dave Sekowski from Wellest, Stefan Weiss from Straffr, and Hamza Shaikh from Stabl.
The first class of the Techstars physical health accelerator program has arrived in Fort Worth. Meet two of the companies that are improving the physical, mental and whole health of patients through their innovative startup companies. This episode features Josh Rabinowitz from Articulate Labs and Anna Shuford from BOOMROOM.
The first class of the Techstars physical health accelerator program has arrived in Fort Worth. Meet two of the companies that are improving the physical, mental and whole health of patients through their innovative startup companies. This episode features Josh Rabinowitz from Articulate Labs and Anna Shuford from BOOMROOM.
The first class of the Techstars physical health accelerator program has arrived in Fort Worth! Meet three of the companies that are improving the physical therapy industry, mental and whole health of patients through their innovative startup companies. This episode features Dr. Celeste Austin from GoManda, Peter Weisz from Pulsewave and Jonathan Truong from Recovr Health.
Fort Worth Native, Sarah Castillo, is a serial entrepreneur who has built an empire across North Texas. It all started with making breakfast tacos for golfers at Marine Creek Golf Course, which led into literally having a dream that she owned a food truck. How wild is that!?! After gaining restaurant experience working at Eddie V’s(shout out) - she ventured out (with her mama) selling delicious tacos out of a trailer in the West 7th area of Fort Worth. Over the last decade, her trailer evolved into a food truck 'Taco Heads', and she gained enough notoriety to expand the brand through brick and mortar locations in both Fort Worth and in Dallas.
There’s nothing Sarah can’t do - in fact, back in 2018, she underwent major renovations of a historical building in the Near Southside and opened an upscale Mexican restaurant and bar called Tinie’s Mexican Cuisine, named after her mother, Christina. As if she didn’t have enough on her plate, Sarah contracted with 87W to open Sidesaddle Saloon in 2021 - a renovated 108-year-old complex of course and mule stables in the Stockyards National Historic District.
Tune in to hear how travel has inspired her menu, building relationships golfing gave her an advantage, and owning who she is.
A big thanks to everyone who helps make this podcast happen!
Producer: Rob Upchurch, RobMakesPods Productions
Founding Sponsors: First Financial Bank and M-PAK
Studio: BLANC Cowork + Studio
Our Media Partners: Madeworthy Media & Tanglewood Moms
The memories made at a football game or a concert are special. And Cameron Fowler is finding ways to personalize the experience to the audience. Cameron is CEO of Digital Seat Media, a tech startup putting QR codes in stadiums and venues to enhance the fan experience by customizing features specific to each seat. Whether it is ordering food or merchandise, accessing exclusive behind the scenes content, or playing interactive games, Digital Seat Media is enhancing the live entertainment experience.
Learn more about Digital Seat Media: https://www.digitalseat.com
Follow Innovate Fort Worth on social media: @hscinnovates
The memories made at a football game or a concert are special. And Cameron Fowler is finding ways to personalize the experience to the audience. Cameron is CEO of Digital Seat Media, a tech startup putting QR codes in stadiums and venues to enhance the fan experience by customizing features specific to each seat. Whether it is ordering food or merchandise, accessing exclusive behind the scenes content, or playing interactive games, Digital Seat Media is enhancing the live entertainment experience.
Learn more about Digital Seat Media: https://www.digitalseat.com
Follow Innovate Fort Worth on social media: @hscinnovates
In the pursuit to find a healthier, but still tasty snack, Quentin Crawford is making jerky out of fish. The Good Jerky is providing meat lovers a chewy, smoky fish-based jerky that tastes like more traditional beef jerky. Stemming from Quentin’s interest of eating more health-conscious snacks, The Good Jerky has now opened new doors for Quentin in the startup space. Recently, The Good Jerky was accepted into MassChallenge, a global, zero-equity startup accelerator. Before that, The Good Jerky participated in Impact Ventures’ Local Entrepreneur Accelerator Program in April 2022.
In the pursuit to find a healthier, but still tasty snack, Quentin Crawford is making jerky out of fish. The Good Jerky is providing meat lovers a chewy, smoky fish-based jerky that tastes like more traditional beef jerky. Stemming from Quentin’s interest of eating more health-conscious snacks, The Good Jerky has now opened new doors for Quentin in the startup space. Recently, The Good Jerky was accepted into MassChallenge, a global, zero-equity startup accelerator. Before that, The Good Jerky participated in Impact Ventures’ Local Entrepreneur Accelerator Program in April 2022.
What started as a family business with Austin Laramore and his grandfather has grown into an innovative mechanism to help rodeo roping cowboys in the arena. The ChuteHelp Fully Automatic Chute uses solar power and gravity to manage cattle in chutes and make animal management much more efficient. Austin shares how one startup led to another through his creation of BotBros, an automated robotic welding service company, to help him fill orders for ChuteHelp.
When it comes to understanding the CDFI program in Fort Worth, Christina Brooks is the person to know. She discusses how investing patient and accessible funding into unrepresented communities can create a positive impact for Fort Worth. This can be capital to start a business, loans to help buy a house, or investments in development projects. And CDFI Friendly Fort Worth has already left a huge impact on the community.
To learn more, visit www.cdfifriendlyfortworth.org.
Follow us on social media at @hscinnovates
He’s a serial entrepreneur, TCU’s Entrepreneur in Residence, and one of the most seasoned innovators in DFW. Michael Sherrod talks about his career in media, how a car accident changed his life, getting acquired by America Online and selling the internet’s first digital ad. From starting a lifestyle magazine in West Texas to navigating the dot com boom, this local entrepreneur has done it all.
When it comes to healthcare startups, Josh Robertson does it all. From a young age, he saw some of the biggest problems in healthcare, and he wanted to do something about them. His passion for helping people led to building startups by infusing empathy into the patient’s healthcare experience. This philosophy grew into several healthcare startup companies, an investment group, and even a nonprofit.
In search of a better shave, this local entrepreneur designed a cutting-edge version of a classic product. Meet Patrick Coddou, the aerospace engineer turned entrepreneur who started a new, single blade razor company called Supply. Patrick discusses how he created an alternative to the multi-blade razors that have become prevalent in the personal care industry. Patrick took Supply to Shark Tank in 2019 and did a deal with one of the sharks. Hear how Supply has gone viral on TikTok and how he attracts new customers through digital advertising.
Innovation is taking to the skies…in the form of drone delivery of essential products. Wing is a drone delivery service that is currently delivering first aid, pet medications and ice cream to neighborhoods in Little Elm and Frisco. Jacob Demmitt explains how Wing, a sister company of Google, works with local partners like Walgreens and Blue Bell to ship products quickly and safely through the air in ten minutes or less.
When it comes to putting smiles on faces, John Merris knows a thing or two about how to do that. Whether it is sitting around a campfire, kayaking on the lake, or even wearing some crazy shorts, he is building the lifestyle brand that brings family and friends together. As CEO of Solo Brands, the company that went public in the fall of 2021, John Merris shares how he became CEO of Solo Stoves, what it is like collaborating and acquiring three different brands, and how he is “creating good” through his products.
Fort Worth recently announced that it is the first city government to mine bitcoin. Alex Brammer, the VP of Business Development at Luxor Technologies, one the city’s partners on their new bitcoin mine, does a deep dive to explain what the City of Fort Worth’s new bitcoin mining operation is and why it could have great outcomes for all Fort Worthians.
Abexxa Biologics is changing how we treat cancer. Using immunotherapy, Jon Weidanz is treating cancer through novel biotechnology that targets cancer cells and boosts immune systems of patients. Jon and Debra Weidanz are the co-founders of the biotech company Abexxa Biologics, that was acquired by Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) in 2021. Jon shares how he raised capital from BI venture funds, how Abexxa won their “golden ticket” competition and how they went from lab discovery to acquisition in just a few years.
What started off as a class project at TCU grew into a health food company that spans the nation. Austin Patry and Sophia Karbowski are the cofounders of Rollin’ n Bowlin’, the first acai bowl establishment in Fort Worth, who sought to provide nutritional food to their fellow university students. These two are taking over college campuses by providing healthy smoothies and acai bowls and have begun offering their products on grocery store shelves.
When it comes to renewable energy, Matthew Ciardiello is in rarified air. He is the CEO of Terrastor, a solution for dependable, carbon neutral energy storage in the ground. His team’s extensive knowledge of the energy sector is paving the way for a new form of energy storage and generation. He is harnessing the power of pressurized air, stored in porous rock, to create energy for high-demand use. He is one of many innovative entrepreneurs who are is making Fort Worth the “electrification capital” of the world.
Darlisa Diltz is famous for her dedicated work with local entrepreneurs in the DFW region. She is connector, a supporter, an educator, a cheerleader, as well as an entrepreneur herself. She is offers resources through the North Texas Entrepreneurial Education & Training Center as well as her shared work space, The Center NTX, to nurture entrepreneurs at any stage they may be. Dive into how she finds opportunities to help those find success in their dreams as well as what big plans she has next!
Meet the new Managing Director of the Techstars Physical Health Accelerator in Fort Worth, Trey Bowles. Trey brings his knowledge as an entrepreneur, investor, advocate, and ecosystem builder to the this new program in our city. He dives into his rich past as an entrepreneur and how he built the local entrepreneurial ecosystem from his role as one of the founders of The DEC Network. He also explains what a Techstars accelerators is and why Fort Worth is the prime location for the world’s first accelerator focused on physical health.
SaferCare Texas is working to reduce medical errors and preventable harm in healthcare that affect 20 percent of the American population. John Simms and Lee Ann Cunningham are working to bring innovative solutions to market in Texas that can improve patient safety through patient advocacy, challenging conventional thinking and increasing collaboration in the medical field.
Luke Hejl and his team at Timely MD were building a telehealth company focused on college students when the pandemic of 2020 hit. They had the right solution at the right time that allowed students to see doctors digitally for their mental and physical health concerns. As schools began to shut down due to the pandemic, students’ needs for mental health services rose and TimelyMD was ready to scale, fueled by over $60 million in early-stage growth capital. Universities like Duke, John Hopkins, Notre Dame, and Abilene Christian partnered with TimelyMD to provide healthcare for students in uncertain times. Now, with over 150 partnerships, TimelyMD is transforming healthcare on college campuses around the United States.
Local, pre-clinical biotech company AyuVis is at the forefront of finding new ways to fight diseases through immunotherapy. Former Alcon employee, Dr. Suchi Archarya, has discovered a method to enhance the body’s immune system at the molecular level. AyuVis’ advisor, Ranjan Misra, explains how and why Dr. Archarya’s discovery is an innovative new way to fight both common and rare diseases.
In this episode, we literally flip the script and put our host in the hot seat. Marco Johnson, our very first guest on the show, serves as guest host as we interview our very own host Cameron Cushman about his work to build the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem in Fort Worth. He talks about his work in the George W. Bush Administration, his time at the Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City and about his failed startup, My Groom Room. And about that time he met Bono too.
From his early years at TCU investing in real estate and flipping houses to buying large industrial complexes, Chris Powers has built himself into of the largest real estate moguls in Fort Worth. On this episode, he tells the story of how he grew his real estate business through Fort Capital from residential to commercial and industrial, and he shares how he started his podcast, The Fort with Chris Powers. Listen to his advice in thinking big and remaining hyper focused on niche markets. This episode is a part of a LIVE podcast recording for Global Entrepreneurship Week Fort Worth.
It all started with tequila. Rikki Kelley, Founder and CEO of EGO Tequila, shares her story of how she went from wanting to own her own business as a child to launching her own brand of tequila. She shares her experiences in making high quality sipping tequila, launching during a global pandemic and the lessons she learned through starting her own business.
After a career in technology, Edward Morgan was always thinking about advanced technologies that he could bring to market. When the electric car industry boomed, he saw an opportunity to improve the market for home and commercial charging stations and Revitalize Charging Solutions was born. His newest product, a dual charger for home use, was recently approved for UL certification. He also shares his vision of giving back to the community by someday turning into a venture capitalist himself.
He is the football player turned venture investor who is making a difference in North Texas. Benjamin Vann from Impact Ventures is removing barriers to capital for women and entrepreneurs of color through inclusive entrepreneurship. Through his work, he aims to tackle real world problems by making sure every entrepreneur has a chance to succeed and bring their dreams to reality, no matter their circumstances.
Dr. Brian Dixon is no stranger to startups. He is solving the problems that he is personally facing as a mental health care provider by starting several companies to fill the gaps that he sees in his own industry. With a vision that everyone should be able to access mental health care, Dr. Dixon is innovating the psychiatry industry by creating startups like Gide, SimplyPsych and Forward Together. He also shares how he wants to make Fort Worth a “Feel Good City” by connecting mental health providers in a single space.
Linkedin meets Match.com…for nonprofits? That is what Pam Cannell set out to do with BoardBuild, a platform designed to educate, match and strengthen board members for non-profits. Pam shares her vision for using innovative technology and education to strengthen non-profits in Fort Worth and around the country.
Mike Berry, the President of the Hillwood Group, knows a thing or two about innovation. As the leader of the Mobility Innovation Zone at Alliance and as the man behind the largest in-land port, he shares how drones, robots and autonomous vehicles are changing the way that freight moves from warehouses to our homes.
The Grand Berry Theater, in Fort Worth’s Foundry District, celebrates art and culture through movies. Jimmy Sweeney, owner of The Grand Berry Theater and co-host of the 817 Podcast, is an entrepreneur who loves cinema and wants to share his love for movies by showing passion project films. Sweeney discusses why Fort Worth needed an independent theater, how The Grand Berry battled the pandemic and streaming platforms, and the revitalization of The Foundry district.
One of DFW’s best kept secrets is Gore Range Capital. Ethan Rigel is the founding partner of Gore Range, a venture capital firm focusing on skin innovation. Ethan explains how he became an investor, why they moved Gore Range from New York to Southlake, and what he is looking for in companies before he invests.
If you are an entrepreneur in DFW, then you know about Tech Fort Worth. And Hayden Blackburn is at the center of it all. TechFW supports entrepreneurs through various programs, like an accelerator, an incubator, mentorship, and through the Cowtown Angels investing network. With big exits like ZS Pharma, Encore Vision, and Exact Diagnostics in their past, TechFW is helping connect entrepreneurs to build a strong biotech entrepreneurial ecosystem in Fort Worth today and into the future.
Despite being an accomplished MD, DO and MBA, the President of the UNT Health Science Center at Fort Worth is an entrepreneur at heart. Michael Williams is using his background and position to transform Fort Worth into a hub of entrepreneurial activity, not only through the work of HSC, but also through his work in the community to solve complex problems and bring new innovations to market. He is not only creating solutions for healthier communities, but is also creating economic opportunity for our region.
Only 25% of Americans with hearing loss use hearing aids. But three TCU students are working to solve this problem through technology that is changing the way people with hearing loss can hear the world around them. Devan Peplow and Mavis Tang are co-founders of Sounde LLC, a phone application that utilizes the built-in microphone to amplify specific sounds and frequencies. Through cutting edge AI within the app, Sounde transforms how people with hearing loss manage their ear health.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is re-making how we do just about everything. One local company, Smart Action, is trying to improve the quality of the customer experience every time you have to call a support line for help. After just moving the company from Los Angeles to Fort Worth, Gary Davis, the President and CEO, shares how he is interpreting human language using machine learning for better customer care experiences. Davis also discusses how he is plugging into the Fort Worth community and how he plans to help the local tech industry grow.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is re-making how we do just about everything. One local company, Smart Action, is trying to improve the quality of the customer experience every time you have to call a support line for help. After just moving the company from Los Angeles to Fort Worth, Gary Davis, the President and CEO, shares how he is interpreting human language using machine learning for better customer care experiences. Davis also discusses how he is plugging into the Fort Worth community and how he plans to help the local tech industry grow.
Local journalism is changing. The explosion of social media and declining print advertising have hurt the industry that traditional created fair and factual reporting at the local level. That is where Chris Cobler, Publisher of the new Fort Worth Report comes in. Chris discusses the importance of serving the community by providing high quality, objective local journalism through a nonprofit. He also dives into the need of a free and independent press and why the Fourth Estate is critical to our democracy.
It can be difficult to stay in touch with family, friends, and other important relationships in your life. Chuck Bouligny talks about the latest app hitting the tech scene in Fort Worth. Juggle helps people balance their relationships and build authentic connections. Through gamification, Juggle makes connecting with people easier than ever in the city “where relationships matter.”
What started with an overwhelmed insurance office resulted in a productivity tool that changes how we get work done. Yanira Borges created an innovative digital platform called Sidekick Checkins that helps staff members handle simple tasks…all by asking a few simple questions. This fun and refreshing software builds positive workplace culture, encourages personal and professional development, and increases revenue for businesses. Yanira talks about the importance of checking in on your coworker, and about her experience as an #indiehacker in the tech space.
What do scientists and entrepreneurs have in common? They solve problems! Mike Mathis, PhD, EdD and Thomas Cunningham, PhD from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) at the HSC in Fort Worth join us to talk about their new Graduate Certificate in Biomedical Entrepreneurship. Centered around individual passion, this virtual, four course certificate program provides additional skills for the next generation of biotech leaders in Fort Worth.
To learn more, visit the link: https://bit.ly/3gZVMaf
Jonathan Morris is making Fort Worth funky by bringing his various visions for cool spaces to life. He is the owner of the Fort Worth Barbershop and Hotel Dryce, and now, he’s the host the brand new show on Magnolia Network’s Self-Employed. A serial entrepreneur, Jonathan talks about his earliest entrepreneurial ideas as a child, how he builds culture into his business ventures and what it is like to be a television host showcasing small businesses.
Texas is a leader in many industries, including energy production. But one local innovator wants to turn Fort Worth into the sustainability capital of the world. Joseph Horn is the driver behind the city-wide collaboration building EcoPlex in Fort Worth, with the vision of turning our city into the center of sustainability in the U.S. He discusses the intersection of innovation and entrepreneurship with sustainability and environmental advocacy through the development of invention showcases and eco-incubators for startups companies and new technologies.
Mia Moss is more than the owner of Black Coffee in Fort Worth, she is a driving force for revitalization on the eastside of Fort Worth. She has taken her love of coffee, expertise and skills and poured them back into her community. From connecting with customers about different coffee beans to pivoting in the face of COVID-19, Mia is proving that coffee and culture go hand in hand and can be the key to bringing new life into a local neighborhood.
From veteran to entrepreneur, Dylan Jones is working to monitor animal health through technology. Animal Cloud Device Connectivity is a cloud-based technology, licensed from the US Air Force that is monitoring the health of service animals that work ~~on~~ in the field. Animal Cloud tracks the health of dogs, horses and cows in real time, transferring information to a database available for caregivers and veterinarians to review digitally.
You've been served…coffee? The Legal Cafe is the brand new coworking space and cafe for lawyers just a few blocks from the Tarrant County courthouses in Downtown Fort Worth. Co-Founder Jeff Rattikin aims to provide essential legal services to attorneys who need a home base near the courthouse and a private location for lawyers and clients to meet. The Legal Cafe also provides services like marketing, web development and they even have a room for video and podcast recording! While serving the legal profession, Rattikin also wants to make law more accessible to people through his website getlegal.com and connect people to the right legal expert for their need.
After a 10 year tenure as a public leader in Fort Worth, Mayor Betsy Price is passing the torch. But before she left office, Innovate Fort Worth had the honor to sit down and discuss all things entrepreneurial in our city. Reflecting upon the great innovators throughout the years that helped make Fort Worth what it is today, Mayor Price shares why Fort Worth is still a great city for startups and small businesses. As a final goodbye, the Innovate Fort Worth team thanks Mayor Price for her dedication to Fort Worth and wishes her well as she spends time with family.
This is part 2 of the two part podcast series with Farukh Aslam, the man who has transformed the historic Sinclair Hotel to become The World’s First All-Digital Hotel. Aslam discusses working on commercial projects with household brand names, and how he envisions the future of powering everyday electrical items to be more innovative and efficient. If you haven’t listened to Part 1, you can listen to part 1 of The Hotel of the Future now wherever you get your podcasts.
From the podcast room in The Sinclair Hotel in Downtown Fort Worth, meet the engineer turned hospitality leader. Farukh Aslam is changing hotels by using low voltage power over ethernet, making The Sinclair 30% more efficient than other hotels. He is using smart sensors and dc powered LED lighting to reduce electricity usage in this century old art deco building. But The Sinclair is only the beginning, Aslam wants to take the technologies he’s developed here in Fort Worth to the world.
In today’s world of fast-paced technology, Pinatagrams is changing how we approach “snail mail.” Nathan Butorac always knew he was an entrepreneur at heart, he just needed to find his big idea. On this episode, he shares his past experiences with starting different companies, how he found success in the middle of a pandemic, and how something “Better Than A Letter” can really spice up your marketing campaigns.
A family business that inspired a trio of brothers to change how we see product return and support sustainability efforts through re-commerce in retail. Dennis Hoang is the co-founder of Patturn, a company that is creating retail sustainability for small businesses by managing returned items to prevent landfill waste. Hear the story of how these UTA grads transformed their parent’s resale computer shop into a digital platform to resell returns rather than being thrown away.
CAGEBio is developing deep eutectic ionic liquids for use in dermatology. Dr. Nitin Joshi shares his experience in the biotech industry, the impact of ionic liquids as an anti-COVID sanitizer and about moving his company from Silicon Valley to Fort Worth, Texas.
When Dr. Vanessa Bouche was challenged to provide meaningful employment for survivors of sexual exploitation and sex trafficking in Delhi, India, she started an essential oils company to put women with few skills to work. Dr. Bouche discusses the challenges she faced in starting Savhera, the challenges she faced in applying for B Corp certification and how to “Live Well, Do Good'' for her customers and employees.
Bringing Fort Worth’s first woman-owned coworking space was a labor of love for Tamara Payne. She’s turned her career as a newscaster and marketing expert into a creator of community for local startups in the Near Southside and beyond. Up next for Tamara is her work serving the people of Burleson on their City Council.
This local entrepreneur leveraged a career in fashion and big pharma into a startup that is tackling an unmet medical need with a big potential market – earwax impaction. Their first product, EarWax MD, is now in stores across the country and relieving the symptoms of earwax buildup for kids, adults and pets. Elyse Dickerson, co-founder and CEO, has built the company as a practitioner of Conscious Capitalism, setting out to do more for customers, investors and the environment than just maximize profits.
For companies operating in or around healthcare, compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is required. Many companies aren’t sure how to navigate this complex federal law and non-compliance can bring steep penalties. Kevin Henry, Founder and CEO of Accountable has solved that problem, providing online training for such employees. Accountable participated in the Techstars Austin accelerator program, making them the only Fort Worth-based startup with Techstars backing.
Our host, Cameron Cushman, is featured as a guest on the new 817 podcast, a show that covers local news, events and politics. This rebroadcast of their episode touches on all things innovation and entrepreneurship in Fort Worth, including early stage funding levels, job creation by startups and how Fort Worth’s entrepreneurial ecosystem ranks among other peer cities. Tune in to this bonus episode of Innovate Fort Worth and be sure to check out the 817 podcast.
Dr. Sid O’Bryant believes research on the complex disease Alzheimer's has been headed in the wrong direction for too long. Dr. O’Bryant recently received a $45M grant which will accelerate his research and allow him to move his technology into the clinic. Dr. O’Bryant also discusses his work with his collaborator and wife, Dr. Leigh Johnson, and his career as an amateur bodybuilder. Learn why his approach will revolutionize the way neurogenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s are diagnosed and treated.
This bonus episode focuses on brand new research which quantifies the number of jobs created by new companies - those less than one year old - in Tarrant County from 2012-2018. In 2018, new companies created 25,157 jobs and the study showed that this number had been pretty consistent over the last few years. This interview with the report’s author, Kate Hodel from Sourcelink in Kansas City, originally ran during Global Entrepreneurship Week Fort Worth.
Dr. Sid O’Bryant is leading the charge to use blood biomarkers to bring the first-ever primary care blood test to market for America’s seniors. His work runs counter to the areas of focus of many other researchers, but his discoveries could pave the way for significant advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. He just received a $45 million grant to continue to study the ways that Alzheimer’s Disease impacts people of different ethnicities and his work could hold the keys to understanding these complex diseases.
This is part one of a two part series featuring Dr. Sid O’Bryant and his work to address senior citizen’s biggest fear – developing dementia.
Meet EJ Carrion, the founder of The Student Success Agency, author of How to Create a Future and Stand Out When College is Not Enough, and now co-host of The 817, a podcast of all things Fort Worth. His company serves as a force multiplier for high school guidance counselors to help students increase their chances for success and get into college. Carrion explains what it means to pick a city with opportunities to build your startup and connecting with the younger crowd by sharing the pulse points of news, politics, trends, and culture in Fort Worth.
Meet the innovative minds that are repurposing surplus materials to “fill a classroom, not a landfill.” Vanessa and Taylor are life-long best friends that started a non-profit called The Welman Project. Through creativity, they find ways to take the waste output from corporations and adapt it for use in the classroom. The Welman Project were also past winners of a the United Way’s KERNEL competition for programs fostering ideas to solve community issues.
A father and son tinkering in their garage led to an invention that will reduce global energy consumption, all based on the same principles that power the windmills that dot the Texas prairies. Brad Hunstable, co-founder of Linear Labs, wants to make Fort Worth the “Electrification Capital of the World.” His plan to build a smarter energy company is one that will change the way we power the world, all from their home base here in “Fort Worth/Dallas.”
Growing up, Jakayla Dixon saw her aunt struggle with picking out her clothes, due to her visual impairment. So she started her own company in high school to change the way the visually impaired put
fashionable outfits together. Dixon, the founder of Feel the Color, is helping those with visual impairments “see” color through innovative tags to help people feel confident and fashionable.
In the quickly growing digital landscape of cloud-based systems, Linux Academy was training coders and developers through self-paced courses to stay on the cutting edge of digital technology. Meet Hunter Ferrell, former CFO of Linux Academy, a tech startup all about “putting students and learning above everything else”. They approached teaching students by “learning through doing”, and eventually had 1.5 million users of expert cloud engineers and trailblazing tech skills.
“People need people more than stuff,” says Melissa Ice, founder of two local non-profits, The Net and The Worthy Co., She lives by these words as she serves the homeless and women and children who have been exploited. She empowers people by employing those who cannot find work to provide a stable income for themselves and their families. Relationships are the key to her work that makes a difference in our community.
In hard times, people turn to sweet treats for hope. And nobody knows that better than Melt, a local ice cream company that “delivers happiness.” Founder Kari Crowe believes that treats can change a day, and a day can change the world. Melt has three locations across DFW and specializes in custom, craft ice cream flavors.
We’ve all done it. You buy something at a big box store and you realize you can’t get your new purchase home in your car. Gozova was created to solve this problem and serve customers who need to move anything, anywhere. Their services include a fleet of vehicles that can handle any move and the labor that can get your heavy or bulky items to their destination, simply and safely. Gozova is now scaling throughout Texas and is planning its next move to take the country by storm.
Sheryle Gillihan is a force for good by helping changemakers solve their toughest technical challenges.
How do you translate a language that has never been written? Or help corporations make better decisions for the planet and their consumers?
Could technology be used as a force for good to help improve people’s lives? Sheryle Gilihan is the CEO of CauseLabs, a social enterprise that works with leading changemakers to grow positive impact.
Plants grow best under red and blue light. What if you could convert sunlight from all colors of the spectrum into red and blue to decrease harvest time, increase crop yields and improve plant quality? Tyler Sickels’ company SolGro licensed technology from the University of Texas at Arlington to help farmers do exactly that through a special greenhouse material that uses nanoparticles to transform sunlight.
When COVID-19 struck, one local entrepreneur pivoted to creating solutions that fill gaps in our healthcare system. Among three companies created by Albert “Ab” Deweese are Hepius Equipment, which makes microwave-sized medical devices that sterilize N-95 masks, and a fractional Chief Medical Officer company to help small businesses reopen safely.
How did Jamey Ice, the long-haired, tattooed Millennial guitarist from Green River Ordinance, arrive at the center of Fort Worth’s entrepreneurship scene? By innovating everything from coffeehouses to how people buy, sell and rehabilitate homes — and now he’s helping other local entrepreneurs tell their original stories.
6th Avenue Homes
Brewed: The locals living room
Green River Ordinance
Patricia Zilliox could have chosen any city as U.S. headquarters for her French biotech startup Eyevensys, which recently raised $30 million to develop eye disease treatments. She chose Fort Worth. That’s because Alcon and the North Texas Eye Research Institute at HSC have turned Cowtown into a world-renowned hotbed of eye research innovation.
Learn more:
North Texas Eye Research Institute
Eyevensys
The (Alcon) Family Tree: How One Company Seeded a DFW Life Science Legacy
Miguel Harth-Bedoya loves music and hates waste. The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra conductor was so discouraged by how much compostable food waste goes into the landfill that he followed a garbage truck one day to see where it went. Soon he launched Cowboy Compost, an innovative business that helps residents, businesses and event venues reduce their environmental impact.
Who doesn’t know Mr. Mucus? The slimy green character representing a head cold is the face of Mucinex ads. But the man who brought the cold remedy medicine to market and created a $2.3 billion North Texas company is John Adams, who shares the inside story of how a former Kansas pharmaceutical salesman turned a cold remedy into a household name.
Meet Les Kreis, one of the few venture capitalists in Fort Worth. The managing partner and co-founder of Bios Partners hears hundreds of startup pitches from entrepreneurs every year. He spills the secrets on what makes a successful pitch – and the surefire way to leave empty handed.
Veena Somareddy was a PhD student when she met businessman Bruce Conti. A tragedy had left Conti’s son with a brain injury that required advanced treatment. Together, they turned an old Fort Worth furniture store into a state-of-the-art rehab center and founded Neuro Rehab VR, which uses virtual reality to transform the lives of people with brain and spinal injuries.
Cam Sadler was a teacher at Dunbar High School with big ideas. One summer break, he cashed in his retirement savings and started a company that helps job seekers get offers from tech businesses. Soon he was in Silicon Valley, the first Fort Worth entrepreneur accepted into Y Combinator, the startup funder of AirBnb and DropBox.
Fort Worth is the City of Cowboys and Culture. But for the country's 13th-largest city to compete in today's economy, it must also become a City of Innovation. Marco Johnson spent years sparking innovation in faraway places like East Africa. Now he's at UNT Health Science Center connecting Fort Worth entrepreneurs with the right resources for their startups.