The DEC Network’s State of Entrepreneurship Award Nominees Announced, Vote Now

From startup evangelists to rising founders to investors fueling growth, The DEC Network's State of Entrepreneurship event and awards recognize key contributors driving DFW’s dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem. See the nominees across 9 compelling categories—and vote now for who you believe should win.

Mark your calendar for March 7: The DEC Network's annual State of Entrepreneurship event has become a tradition for celebrating the people, places, and passions that keep the North Texas startup ecosystem thriving. Plus, the organization will announce its 2024 award winners in nine categories.

Dallas-Fort Worth’s entrepreneurial community is gearing up for a night of accolades on March 7, as The DEC Network hosts its annual State of Entrepreneurship event and awards. Local entrepreneurs, influencers, and supporters will be coming together in one place to celebrate the region’s startup ecosystem.

But before the spotlight shines on Dallas-Fort Worth’s State of Entrepreneurship Awards at the upcoming event, the community gets to vote for this year’s winners. From startup evangelists to rising founders to investors fueling growth, these awards recognize key contributors driving DFW’s dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem. Your vote counts, but hurry: The deadline is Friday, Feb. 23, at 11:00 p.m. CT.

Who will take home the honors this year? Here are the 2024 categories and nominees:

Startup Evangelist of the Year

Honors an influential champion devoted to community-building among entrepreneurs, mentors and investors.

BIPOC Entrepreneur of the Year

Celebrates a standout Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color founder making strides in the community.

 

Woman Entrepreneur of the Year

Recognizes a woman business leader advancing innovation while empowering others.

 

Student Entrepreneur of the Year

Highlights an undergraduate or graduate student running a promising venture.

 

Rising Entrepreneur of the Year

Distinguishes an exceptional founder running a startup for less than 7 years.

 

High-Growth Entrepreneur of the Year

Honors an established innovator demonstrating impressive expansion for 7+ years.

 

Angel Investor of the Year

Honors an angel investor providing critical early capital and connections.

 

Institutional Investor of the Year

Recognizes an investment firm accelerating startups through capital and guidance.

  • Cowtown Angels
  • Golden Seeds
  • Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce ScaleUp Accelerator
  • Horned Frog Investment Network
  • Republic
  • Techstars
  • The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
 

Corporate Supporter of the Year

Celebrates an organization actively supporting entrepreneurship across DFW through mentoring, funding, and resources.

  • Capital One
  • Charles Schwab
  • HSC Next
  • JPMorgan Chase
  • Justworks
  • Lendarch
  • Mary Kay
  • Mavs Take Action
  • PNC Bank
  • Texas Woman’s University Center for Women Entrepreneurs
 

Go here to vote by Friday, Feb. 23, at 11 p.m. CT.

Tia Nayar, right, was Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 at SOE 2023. The Women’s Business Council – Southwest was named Corporate Supporter of the Year 2023 at the same event. [Photo: The DEC Network]

Award winners to be announced at the 2024 State of Entrepreneurship event

The innovators and enterprises propelling Dallas-Fort Worth’s startup scene will be celebrated at the 2024 State of Entrepreneurship awards on March 7.

The State of Entrepreneurship event, hosted by The DEC Network and presented by Bank of America, will honor the this year’s nominees and winners. From pioneering founders to rising talent, award winners across all categories will be announced live, as chosen by public vote.

DEC Network stakeholders at SOE 2023, which was hosted in Frisco last year. [Photo: The DEC Network]

The event has connected contributors to DFW’s entrepreneurial ecosystem over the years—seasoned founders, emerging disruptors, investors, and advocates. Spotlighting promising ventures alongside accelerating industry leaders, the event toasts the funding, launches, and milestones that continue propelling local startups to the regional and national stage.

As of this writing, registration is still open for the March 7 event that honors today’s innovators while cultivating those poised to shape future success stories.

For details about the event and to register, go here. 

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