Innovation is a big deal in the Dallas area. We see it in every business sector, and innovators are hard at work all across the region creating new products, generating new ideas, and starting new companies.

Now, there’s a new tool presented by the Dallas Regional Chamber on Dallas Innovates to help innovators find the funding, mentorship, and other valuable resources they will need to succeed.

Together with Dallas Innovates, the Chamber and Capital One have teamed up to create the Dallas-Fort Worth Innovation Guide, a centralized resource of information and connections to aid innovators in their journey to achieve their entrepreneurial goals.

“Our success as a region depends on the ability of our individuals, organizations, and companies to innovate in the digital space and beyond.”
Duane Dankesreiter

“We envision this guide as playing a key role in connecting the region’s skilled, growing workforce with startups, mid-size companies and the 22 Fortune 500 companies with headquarters or major operations here,” DRC Senior Vice President of Research and Innovation, Duane Dankesreiter said. “Our success as a region depends on the ability of our individuals, organizations, and companies to innovate in the digital space and beyond.”

The Dallas-Fort Worth Innovation Guide is chock-full of invaluable information for connecting entrepreneurs with the mentors, capital, and support system they need to take their enterprises to the next level, the chamber said.

The guide links visitors to more than 50 startup funding sources; more than 190 creative hubs, coworking spaces, and innovation labs; and more than 100 sources of information, pitch events, and professional development groups.

Capital One’s involvement comes with the firm’s 2015 launch of Future Edge, an initiative that pledged $150 million over five years to help prepare more Americans with the skills, tools, and resources necessary to succeed in a modern, ever-changing, digitally driven economy. 

“Capital One is committed to help make North Texas a region known for innovation,” said Karen Stroup, senior vice president, head of The Garage, Capital One Financial Services. “Because of this commitment, our associates provided pro bono expertise on the startup guide to create an enjoyable digital experience to navigate the people and places that are reimagining our communities.”

THE MOST-COMPLETE RESOURCE FOR INNOVATORS

Dankesreiter said that, for a number of years, the chamber has maintained an online startup resource directory and interactive map in various forms.

“Capital One came to us last year and offered up their support to expand on what we had and build something using their team’s expertise,” he said. “This latest iteration is, by far, the most complete resource out there, and with the integration into Dallas Innovates, I’m hoping it will become a critical tool for entrepreneurs and others in the innovation ecosystem.”

“Capital One is committed to help make North Texas a region known for innovation.”
Karen Stroup

Dankesreiter says it’s something this region has never had before: a single site that showcases the funding activity in our region.

“We know companies are getting funded in Dallas-Fort Worth — beyond what has traditionally been reported,” he said. “The guide will help change perceptions about DFW and show we have both great companies and the investors looking to fund them.” 

Natalie Fletcher, the DRC’s new director of innovation, regularly will reach out to the investment community and startups to discover news about funding activity. The guide provides an opportunity for individuals and companies to share successes and be included on the site. 

“We want people to provide us feedback and input,” Dankesreiter said. “It’s going to be a dynamic tool, always updated with the latest information.”

Our innovation ecosystem is expanding every day — and navigating it can be daunting.

“The Guide is part of Dallas Innovates’ mission to foster a culture of innovation,” said Quincy Preston, publisher of Dallas Innovates. “We want to share the tools that will help folks succeed and spread the message that DFW truly is a place of opportunity.”

Dallas Innovates is a collaboration of the Dallas Regional Chamber and D Magazine Partners. The media platform launched in 2015 to showcase what’s new and next in Dallas-Fort Worth. 

The future is here, and innovation is our engine for growth, Preston said.

“Dallas Innovates has a collective mission at its core: To make Dallas the region everyone is talking about.” 

NEXT: The Dallas-Fort Worth Innovation Guide

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