It’s been a major year for Dallas-Fort Worth—especially when it comes to innovation. 

As we move into a new decade, we’d like to reflect on the stories behind the people and places that grabbed our readers’ attention this year. From new coworking spaces (The Slate), to expansions (Klyde Warren Park, Dallas Makerspace), to corporate hubs (Uber), to interesting arrivals (KidZania, Portals), our most popular stories certainly spanned the vast range of innovation in Dallas-Fort Worth. We’ve seen a bit of everything in 2019—and we can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Here’s a Baker’s Dozen of the most-read stories on dallasinnovates.com in 2019. The year isn’t quite over yet—but these are our top stories as of Dec. 20. 

1. New Gold Shipping Container in Klyde Warren Park is a ‘Portal’ to the Rest of the World

Through immersive audiovisual technology, a Portal gives the sense that you’re “face-to-face” with someone when they’re actually inside an identical container somewhere else on Earth.

Portals are located across the globe, in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Australia, Palestine, Germany, Honduras, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Kazakhstan, Rwanda, Spain, and the U.S. [Screenshot: Shared_Studios/Youtube]

2. (Everyone’s Favorite) Science Guy Bill Nye and Futurist Entrepreneur Ben Lamm on Space, Tech, and Opportunity

“You’re going to see more and more software players enter space,” Hypergiant CEO Lamm said at Venture Dallas. Here are top takeaways from two big thinkers who have their heads way beyond the clouds.

[Photo: Dallas Innovates]

3. Dallas-Founded Dating App, Vouch, Brings on a New Female CEO

Last year, Bachelor alum Sean Lowe announced he was launching a dating app where your friends could swipe for you. Now, Lowe and his team have revamped the technology and brought on a strong, local female voice to grow the platform: Christiana Yebra.

Christiana Yerba is the new CEO of Vouch. [Photo: Rebeca Posadas-Nava]

4. Dallas Sisters Create Female‑Focused Coworking Concept

Opening March 1 in the Design District, The Slate is equipped with everything a working mom might need, from a content creation studio to a wellness room to a boutique shop.

Shelly Slater (right) and her sister Jodie Hastings (left) co-founded The Slate as a female-focused coworking workspace. [Photo: Courtesy Shelly Slater]

5. IF/THEN Summit Convenes Nationwide Female STEM Role Models in Dallas

At the summit, AAAS IF/THEN Ambassadors participated in a full-body scan. Each scan will be produced into a life-size 3D-printed statue to be displayed together in a monumental exhibit—the most statues of women ever in a single place.

[Photos: Erin Gilliatt]

6. Role Play: “Indoor City” KidZania Announces Lineup of Industry Partners for First U.S. Location in Frisco

KidZania will give kids a chance to experience more than 100 careers sponsored by nationally recognized locals like MOOYAH, SMU, Texas Health Resources, WFAA, and more. The 75,000-square-foot kid-sized city is designed to educate and entertain children ages 4-14, “bridging the gap between school and their future.”

KidZania offers kids the opportunity to explore a variety of possible career opportunities. [Photo: Courtesy KidZania]

7. Here’s How KFC’s Global HQ in Plano is Driving Its High-Flying Success

From shrimp donuts to Cheetos sandwiches, Kentucky Fried Chicken doesn’t cook inside the lines. That’s largely due to the Food Innovation Team at its global headquarters in North Texas, who are responsible for maintaining the other teams (and their menu concoctions) across the world.

[Image: Michael Samples]

8. The ‘World’s Largest Volunteer-Run Makerspace’ is in Dallas, and It’s Doubling in Size

The nonprofit was “busting at the seams” with members and projects, and decided an expansion was necessary. Check out what’s being built, carved, repurposed, sewn, laser-cut, and more with our tour of the space (and its creators).

[Photo: Rebeca Posadas-Nava]

9. Klyde Warren Park Expansion Renderings Show its Westward Growth

In addition to adding 1.5 acres of green space, the expansion will include a three-story, enclosed special events pavilion.

[Image: Courtesy Klyde Warren Park]

10. Hidden Ridge: Verizon’s $1B, 5G-Enabled Development Rises From its Ranching Roots

The massive mixed-use development in Irving will be the home to Pioneer Natural Resources, which is relocating to a 10-story tower, as well as multifamily, retail, and office.

[Rendering: Courtesy Gensler]

11. Mark Cuban Says There’s No Better Place for Entrepreneurs Than Dallas, so ‘Let’s Go to Work’

The Dallas billionaire, Shark, investor, and Mavs owner urged a crowd of startups, corporations, and companies to get out there and learn artificial intelligence immediately: “It will impact even the smallest business.”

[Photo: Rebeca Posadas-Nava]

12. 26 North Texas Innovators Who Are The Future Today

Here are the men and women forging the future of tech that has the potential to change the world.

13. Uber Taps Dallas for Major Hub at The Epic in Deep Ellum, Bringing 3,000 Jobs

Dallas was the first city in Texas where the Uber app was available in 2012. Now, the city will host the second largest Uber hub outside of its headquarters in San Francisco.

Uber will take most of this planned office tower at The Epic. [Rendering: Courtesy Perkins + Will]

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