NTXIA To Hold 'Reverse Pitch' and Mixer Feb. 9 at Pegasus Park

Jennifer Sanders

North Texas Innovation Alliance (NTXIA), a nonprofit regional consortium of around 50 municipalities, agencies, corporations, and academic institutions, aims to spur innovative solutions to regional problems through its first-ever Reverse Pitch Mixer, set for February 9 at Pegasus Park in Dallas.

Applications to pitch are open through February 2. Selected startups will have the opportunity to present their solutions directly to public-sector leaders and ecosystem partners.

“I’m excited to share North Texas Innovation Alliance will be hosting our first Reverse Pitch and Mixer to gather the NTX smart cities and innovation ecosystem to mix, mingle, learn and cheer on the solutions,” NTXIA Executive Director Jennifer Sanders said via email to Dallas Innovates. “We’ll be having lightning pitches that surface real needs and showcase targeted solutions with the potential for real impact.”

Seeking practical, deployable solutions

The idea of the event is to create new pathways by bringing bold innovation to public sector challenges, NTXIA said, to move ideas from concept to positive impact and “create tangible change in the communities we serve.”

Leaders in cities and regions are dealing with complex issues: infrastructure resilience, mobility, sustainability, public safety, and equitable access to services. These challenges can’t be solved in silos, NTXIA said. They require collaboration across government, startups, industry, and the broader innovation ecosystem.

Bringing problem-solvers and decision-makers together in a focused, action-oriented way is the goal of NTXIA’s Reverse Pitch Mixer, the organization said. By creating a forum for open dialogue and rapid idea exchange, the event aims to speed up innovative solutions that are practical and deployable.

The “lightning pitches” are intended to be short, impactful presentations from startups addressing real, clearly defined public-sector needs. NTXIA said it’s looking for targeted solutions that can be piloted, scaled, and implemented rather than abstract concepts or future hypotheticals.

Target areas

NTXIA is calling for pitches in three categories:

Smart Infrastructure: How might the city leverage computer vision and sensor-based technologies to gain real-time insight into the use, safety, and condition of public spaces and assets—enabling smarter maintenance, improved service delivery, and safer, more efficient operations across parks, facilities, and city services?
Transportation: How might the city address the “last-mile” gap for commuters and improve overall transportation efficiency by leveraging computer vision, emerging mobility solutions, and smart fleet management to optimize parking, traffic flow, roadway conditions, safety, and autonomous delivery systems?
Sustainability: How might the city design resource-efficient, sustainable infrastructure that integrates smart technologies—such as renewable energy, water capture, EV/AV charging, and environmental sensors—to reduce environmental impact, monitor risks, and enhance long-term urban resilience?

For public-sector leaders, the fast-pitch format offers a glimpse of what is possible today and a chance to examine new approaches without long procurement cycles or heavy upfront commitments. For startups, it’s an opportunity to listen and learn, aligning their technologies with real-world challenges.

“Each pitch helps bridge the gap between innovation and implementation, showing how creativity, technology, and partnership can translate into meaningful outcomes for cities and communities,” NTXIA said.

Celebrating the ‘art of the possible’

Beyond the pitches, the event is designed to bring together the smart cities and innovation ecosystem spanning North Texas. Attendees will have the opportunity to network across sectors, connect with peers facing similar challenges, and exchange ideas that can spark future partnerships.

The organization said that those who would benefit from the event include public-sector leaders seeking fresh perspectives, innovators who want to understand government needs, and community stakeholders invested in the future of North Texas. The evening will offer opportunities to engage in thoughtful conversation and collective problem-solving.

NTXIA also encouraged those who attend to cheer on the pitchers, encouraging their willingness to step forward, share their ideas, and help to shape what comes next.

“Together, these interactions help paint a clearer picture of the ‘art of the possible’ when diverse perspectives come together with a shared sense of purpose,” NTXIA said.

The event will take place on February 9th from 4:30–7:00 PM at Pegasus Park. Space is limited, so RSVP early.