Each week we curate a list of events where North Texas’ innovators, founders, funders and makers are showing up. Details shift, so confirm on the official website or registration page before you go. To see our recurring events, click here.
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Editors’ Picks
Startup & Venture
· Times vary — see organizer
DFW Startup Week 2026
Hosted by The DEC Network | James M. Collins Executive Education Center, SMU Cox, 3150 Binkley Ave, Dallas
The DEC Network's largest annual event for DFW small business owners and entrepreneurs. The five-day program, sponsored by Capital One, builds momentum around entrepreneurship and innovation across the North Texas ecosystem. Now in its 11th year.
Startup & Venture
· 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
August Startup Bites: Building a Team with Tyler Fisher
Hosted by TechFW | TechFW, 1120 South Freeway, Fort Worth
TechFW's monthly Startup Bites lunch, with Tyler Fisher on building a team. Lunch and networking from 11:30, workshop and Q&A from noon.
Tech & Infrastructure
· 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tech Industry Luncheon: Leaders in Innovation
Hosted by Tech Titans | Prestonwood Country Club, 15909 Preston Rd, Dallas | From $75
Finalists in the Tech Titans Awards innovation categories present the work they were nominated for. This year's emerging company finalists are Illuma Labs, QualiZeal, SpinSci, and Steel-IQ; corporate finalists are ConnexPay, DFW International Airport, Industrial Refrigeration Pros, and The Michaels Companies.
Research & Higher Ed
· Times vary — see organizer
Texas Quantum Summit 2026
Hosted by UT Dallas | The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W Campbell Rd, Richardson
UT Dallas convenes academia, industry, and government to advance quantum technology in Texas. Speakers include Scott Aaronson (UT Austin), David Awschalom (University of Chicago), and representatives from IBM, NVIDIA, Microsoft Quantum, IonQ, QuEra, Infleqtion, and Amazon, alongside Texas legislators. Mornings are keynotes and panels; afternoons are participant-driven breakouts.
Networking
· 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Dallas Meetup at Texas Live!
Hosted by Dallas Meetup | Texas Live!, 1650 E Randol Mill Rd, Arlington
Ahead of North Texas Giving Day, DallasMeetup features leaders from Communities Foundation of Texas, American Heart Association, WFAA, Texas Trees, Downtown Dallas Inc., North Texas Disability Chamber, and Kaleidoscope Park. An industry-agnostic networking mixer for the region's laptop-class practitioners.
Tech & Infrastructure
· Times vary — see organizer
CIO 100 Awards and Conference 2026
Hosted by Foundry / CIO | Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa, 3520 PGA Pkwy, Frisco
Three days for enterprise technology leaders, built around the CIO 100 Awards and CIO Hall of Fame inductions. More than 50 speakers, including CIOs from Mastercard, AbbVie, Cargill, Academy Sports + Outdoors, and the PGA of America, on scaling AI, cybersecurity strategy, and transformation.
Health & Life Sciences
· Times vary — see organizer
Nucleate Global Summit 2026
Hosted by Nucleate | Southfork Ranch, 3700 Hogge Dr, Parker
Nucleate brings its global alumni network to North Texas for a summit spotlighting the region as a growing biotech and life science hub. Founders, operators, scientists, and investors gather at Southfork Ranch for keynotes, panels, fireside chats, and roundtables. An invitation-only opening day takes place August 16 at Pegasus Park in Dallas.
Tech & Infrastructure
· 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Q-Day: A Governance Playbook for CISOs and Boards
Hosted by Tech Titans | Center for American and International Law, 5201 Democracy Dr, Plano
When quantum computing breaks today's encryption, the impact will be financial, operational, and legal rather than purely technical. This session covers building a defensible crypto inventory, identifying data with long-term risk, and adopting crypto-agile approaches aligned to emerging standards like NIST PQC.
Startup & Venture
· Times vary — see organizer
Spears Launch Demo Day
Hosted by SMU Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership | Southern Methodist University, Dallas
Demo Day for the SMU Spears Institute Launch programme, where student and alumni founders present their ventures.
Tech & Infrastructure
· Times vary — see organizer
Dallas AI in the Enterprise Forum
Hosted by CDO Magazine | Omni Las Colinas, 221 E Las Colinas Blvd, Irving
CDO Magazine's Dallas forum for chief data and analytics officers on putting AI to work across the enterprise.
Tech & Infrastructure
· 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Mind & Machine DFW: AI for Business Leaders
Hosted by Mind & Machine DFW | ll Brothers Grill & Bar, 8308 Preston Rd #198, Plano
Raju Balan, senior director of data and AI at Slalom, walks through a method for estimating the ROI of AI work: breaking initiatives into tasks, quantifying impact, and modelling cost. Arrival and networking from 4:30, presentation at 5, Q&A at 5:30.
Startup & Venture
· Times vary — see organizer
Frisco Plug-In (August)
Hosted by Plug and Play Tech Center | Plug and Play Frisco, Comerica Banking Center, 17 Cowboys Way, Frisco
Plug and Play's monthly Frisco meetup connecting founders, corporate partners, and investors.
Tech & Infrastructure
· 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Tech Titans 26th Annual Awards
Hosted by Tech Titans | Marriott Dallas/Plano at Legacy Town Center, 7121 Bishop Rd, Plano | From $250
Tech Titans' 26th annual awards, the largest recognition of technology achievement in North Texas. A networking reception opens the evening before the formal presentation honouring finalist companies and individuals. Cocktail attire.
Save the Date
Tech & Infrastructure
· Times vary — see organizer
Commit Your Code Conference
Hosted by Commit Your Code | Capital One Campus, Plano
A developer conference for the North Texas software community.
Startup & Venture
· 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
September Startup Bites
Hosted by TechFW | TechFW, 1120 South Freeway, Fort Worth
TechFW's monthly Startup Bites lunch and workshop for Fort Worth founders. Lunch and networking from 11:30, workshop and Q&A from noon. Speaker and topic to be announced.
Startup & Venture
· Times vary — see organizer
TiE Dallas Innovibe 2026
Hosted by TiE Dallas | Davidson Auditorium, Naveen Jindal School of Management, UT Dallas, 800 W Campbell Rd, Richardson
TiE Dallas's annual entrepreneurship summit, bringing together founders, mentors, and investors.
Tech & Infrastructure
· 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Barracuda and Intras Cloud Services Cybersecurity Happy Hour
Hosted by Intras Cloud Services and Barracuda | Clifton Club, 3333 N Fitzhugh Ave, Dallas | Free
An evening for DFW business and technology decision makers, hosted by Intras Cloud Services and Barracuda in a private room at the Clifton Club. Doors at 5 p.m., a practical session on real-world security at 5:30, then drinks, bites, and peer conversation. Free to attend, spots limited and confirmed individually. Valet recommended.
Corporate & Business
· Times vary — see organizer
Future-Proofing Business for the AI Economy
Hosted by Economist Impact | The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas, 4150 N MacArthur Blvd, Irving
An Economist Impact executive briefing on preparing organisations for an AI-driven economy.
Health & Life Sciences
· 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Idea to Impact: A TechFW and UNT Health Innovation Forum
Hosted by TechFW and UNT Health | UNT Health Medical Education & Training Building, 1000 Montgomery St, Fort Worth | Free
A half-day forum on turning research into a fundable, protectable venture. A panel covering intellectual property, funding, marketing, and pitch strategy is followed by live pitches from three TechFW med-tech companies: Tremedics Medical Devices, NSpire Medical Technology, and Bectas Therapeutics. Free to attend, space limited.
Health & Life Sciences
· 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
The Resilience Gap: Strengthening the Teen Brain in a Tech-Obsessed World
Hosted by Center for BrainHealth | Center for BrainHealth, 2200 W Mockingbird Ln, Dallas
Recently featured on 60 Minutes, Eva Telzer, PhD, and Mitch Prinstein, PhD, discuss what happens inside the brain during the teen years and the external forces shaping it. Both co-direct the Winston Center on Technology and Brain Development at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Sponsored by Tammy and Tim Hughes.
Tech & Infrastructure
· Times vary — see organizer
Data Center World Power 2026
Hosted by Informa | Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, 1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine
North America's conference dedicated to the intersection of data centers and power infrastructure returns for its second year. Four strategic tracks address the power ecosystem: Power Sourcing & Grid Integration, Alternative Power & Energy Innovation, AI, Power Density & Thermal Management, and Ecosystem Business Strategy & Workforce Development.
Startup & Venture
· Times vary — see organizer
Frisco Plug-In (September)
Hosted by Plug and Play Tech Center | Plug and Play Frisco, Comerica Banking Center, 17 Cowboys Way, Frisco
Plug and Play's monthly Frisco meetup connecting founders, corporate partners, and investors.
Health & Life Sciences
· Times vary — see organizer
BioNTX iC3 Life Science and Healthcare Innovation Summit
Hosted by BioNTX | Loews Arlington Hotel and Convention Center, 888 Nolan Ryan Expy, Arlington
The region's flagship life science and healthcare innovation summit, convening researchers, founders, health systems, and investors.
Startup & Venture
· Times vary — see organizer
Texas Startup & Tech Week 2026
Hosted by AURP | Multiple Texas cities, Dallas
A statewide week of innovation programming beginning September 28 and culminating October 2. Gatherings take place in more than 15 Texas cities and connect founders, investors, and entrepreneur support organizations.
Policy & Legal
· 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
General Counsel Conference Southwest
Hosted by Law.com | Arts District Mansion, 2101 Ross Ave, Dallas
General counsel and legal leaders from across the Southwest convene for programming on economic pressures, emerging legal technologies, and evolving regulatory practice.
Research & Higher Ed
· Times vary — see organizer
AURP International Conference 2026
Hosted by AURP | Pegasus Park, 3000 Pegasus Park Dr, Dallas
AURP convenes its 2026 International Conference at Pegasus Park, bringing together members and global innovation leaders for executive dialogue, networking, and tours of the district's life sciences community.
Startup & Venture
· Times vary — see organizer
Texas Venture Fest: North Texas 2026
Hosted by Texas Founders Arena | TBD, Arlington
A day of networking and programming highlighting the entrepreneur support ecosystem. More than 15 Texas cities host simultaneously, drawing 3,000-plus participants statewide. Part of Texas Startup & Tech Week.
Startup & Venture
· 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
October Startup Bites
Hosted by TechFW | TechFW, 1120 South Freeway, Fort Worth
TechFW's monthly Startup Bites lunch and workshop for Fort Worth founders. Lunch and networking from 11:30, workshop and Q&A from noon. Speaker and topic to be announced.
Startup & Venture
· Times vary — see organizer
Global Mission Summit
Hosted by Find Your Mission | JW Marriott Dallas Arts District, 800 N Harwood St, Dallas
A summit for mission-driven founders, investors, and operators.
Startup & Venture
· 10 a.m.
Rooted Expo 2026
Hosted by Rooted Expo | Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas, 500 W Las Colinas Blvd, Irving
Three days and around 300 brands, gathering the Texas consumer packaged goods community in one room. Day one, October 20, is Ignite: a sampling and discovery event where emerging brands showcase products and connect with buyers ahead of the main show. October 21 and 22 are the Expo proper, with two full days of trade show programming for exhibitors, buyers, retailers, investors, distributors, and industry leaders, including the Rooted Pitch Slam.
Startup & Venture
· 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Venture Dallas 2026
Hosted by Venture Dallas | Old Parkland, 3819 Maple Ave, Dallas
Venture Dallas 2026 introduces a new setting and refined format with multiple stages, curated networking, and startup pitches. Tickets and full programming to be announced.
Networking
· Times vary — see organizer
DFW Alliance of Technology and Women 25th Anniversary Celebration
Hosted by DFW Alliance of Technology and Women | Venue Forty 50, 4050 Belt Line Rd, Addison
DFW ATW marks 25 years of connecting and advancing women in North Texas technology.
Startup & Venture
· Times vary — see organizer
Frisco Plug-In (October)
Hosted by Plug and Play Tech Center | Plug and Play Frisco, Comerica Banking Center, 17 Cowboys Way, Frisco
Plug and Play's monthly Frisco meetup connecting founders, corporate partners, and investors.
Health & Life Sciences
· Times vary — see organizer
MedCity INVEST Digital Health 2026
Hosted by MedCity News and Health Wildcatters | Pegasus Park, 3000 Pegasus Park Dr, Dallas
A digital health investing conference bringing founders, investors, and health system leaders to Pegasus Park.
Startup & Venture
· Times vary — see organizer
CodeLaunch World Championship 2026
Hosted by CodeLaunch | Gilley's Dallas, 1135 Botham Jean Blvd, Dallas
CodeLaunch's championship pitch event, pairing early-stage startups with development teams to build and present a prototype.
Health & Life Sciences
· Times vary — see organizer
SMU Cox Healthcare Conference: Technology-Driven Healthcare
Hosted by SMU Cox School of Business | SMU Cox School of Business, Dallas
SMU Cox convenes healthcare and technology leaders on how technology is reshaping care delivery.
Tech & Infrastructure
· Times vary — see organizer
North American Blockchain Summit 2026
Hosted by North American Blockchain Summit | Dallas
Two days on blockchain, digital assets, and policy, drawing industry and government participants to North Texas.
Startup & Venture
· Times vary — see organizer
SMU Dallas 100 Entrepreneur Awards
Hosted by Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship, SMU Cox | SMU Cox School of Business, Dallas
The Caruth Institute's annual ranking and awards night for the fastest-growing privately held companies in Dallas.
Tech & Infrastructure
· 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Chief Innovation Officer Summit: Innovation Strategy and Leadership During Exponential Change
Hosted by SMU Lyle School of Engineering | SMU Lyle School of Engineering, Dallas
A full-day summit on how innovation leadership is changing as AI, quantum, and digital twins reshape what organizations can build. Speakers include CTOs and innovation chiefs from Texas Instruments, AT&T, NVIDIA, Lockheed Martin, Caterpillar, Ericsson, Samsung, Toyota North America, IBM, Ford Pro, Humana, Jacobs, Gartner, NASA, and DFW International Airport, alongside founders from Worlds, Matic, ByteTrail, and SMU Impact Lab. The format mixes keynote panels with closed-door boardrooms, brainstorm sessions, and a Birds of a Feather luncheon, closing with a reception showcasing SMU faculty and student research.
Dallas Innovates is an official media partner of this event.
Research & Higher Ed
· Times vary — see organizer
Texas Innovation Conference and Awards 2027
Hosted by TCU | Brown-Lupton University Union, 3rd Floor Ballroom, TCU, 2901 Stadium Dr, Fort Worth
TCU's statewide innovation conference and awards, gathering university, industry, and startup participants.
Tech & Infrastructure
· Times vary — see organizer
Convergence AI 2027
Hosted by Convergence AI | Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas, 500 W Las Colinas Blvd, Irving
A Dallas AI conference bringing together practitioners, researchers, and enterprise adopters.
Recurring in DFW
Arts & Culture
· 10 a.m.
Soccer: More Than a Game
Hosted by Perot Museum of Nature and Science | Perot Museum of Nature and Science, 2201 N Field St, Dallas
An exhibition connecting soccer with STEM. Visitors receive an RFID bracelet that tracks their choices across 20 engagement zones, where they can join a team, construct a stadium, design jerseys, create mascots, and explore the biomechanics, physics, and data analytics behind the game.
Our coverage: Perot Museum Debuts 'Soccer: More Than a Game' Exhibition in Runup to World Cup
Startup & Venture
Every Wednesday, 9 to 10 a.m.
1 Million Cups Fort Worth
Hosted by 1 Million Cups / Sparkyard / The DEC Network | Create FW, 400 Bryan Ave, Fort Worth | Free
A weekly morning session where two early-stage founders present to the Fort Worth entrepreneurial community and take questions from the room.
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R E A D N E X T
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The hybrid event in August will take place in person at SMU and virtually. The seventh annual Dallas Startup Week powered by Capital One is Dallas-Fort Worth's largest event focused on driving entrepreneurial success, economic impact, and innovation in the region.
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You'll find deadlines coming up for a new accelerator program; and many more opportunities.
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You’ve found Dallas Innovates’ archive of news briefs from July to September 2021.
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Nonprofit BUiLT is hosting the event to highlight the success and possibilities of Black tech talent in the region. “There is no talent pipeline problem,” says Peter Beasley, co-founder of the Blacks United in Leading Technology International. “Black tech talent is widely available, especially in North Texas.”
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With Dallas ranked as one of the top cities in America for tech pros, UT Dallas and Fullstack have launched four skills training bootcamps focused on coding, cybersecurity, data analytics, and DevOps. The online bootcamps begin in November with tuition at $11,995 each.
