Calendar: Not-to-Miss Events for Innovators in Dallas-Fort Worth

Here are our editors' picks. Plus, you'll find selections to "save the date."

North Texas is a big place, with plenty to do, see, hear, and watch. We scour the internet every week to find events and activities for you. As always, things may change at any time, so be sure to check the official website or registration page for the latest details. For ongoing events, click here.

Don’t miss anything: Get Dallas Innovates Every Day. And, if you know of a great event, tell us about it. Event details courtesy of organizers.

Friday, July 11

NCTRCA 2025 State of the Agency Luncheon

Hosted by the North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency
Live! By Loews, Arlington
Noon to 2 p.m.

The North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency (NCTRCA) invites the public, partners, and certified firms to its 2025 State of the
Agency Luncheon, a milestone celebration of 34 years of advancing small business growth through certification, connectivity, and capacity-building.

Since its founding, NCTRCA has served as a catalyst for inclusive economic advancement—empowering minority-, woman-, veteran-owned, and small businesses across North Texas to compete, scale, and lead. The 2025 luncheon isn’t just a commemoration—it’s a forward-facing platform for strategy, progress, and the evolving future of certification in the region.

Learn more here.

AI Leaders Forum: Dallas 2025

Hosted by Southlake Foundation
AI Transformation Partner: Auxo AI
Southlake, Dallas-Fort Worth
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

The AI Leaders Forum: Dallas 2025 brings together a select group of AI and innovation executives for an exclusive, invite-only gathering in one of America’s fastest-growing tech corridors. Hosted by the Southlake Foundation with Auxo AI, this half-day summit is designed to shape the next frontier of artificial intelligence through transformative strategies and cross-sector partnerships.

Attendees can expect insightful roundtables, impactful keynotes, and direct access to senior policymakers and enterprise innovators—all focused on driving scalable, responsible AI adoption in the Dallas-Fort Worth region and beyond.

Learn more and RSVP.


Wednesday, July 16

Fort Worth Business Mixer

Hosted by the Women’s Business Council Southwest
LanCarte Commercial Real Estate HDW – Fort Worth, 2627 Tillar St Suite 121, Fort Worth
4:30 to 6 p.m.

Women’s Business Council Southwest is teaming up with LanCarte Commerical Real Estate for an elevated networking Happy Hour experience in Fort Worth. Grab a drink, spark a conversation, and enjoy the evening with like-minded professionals.

Learn more here.

Million Cups

Various North Texas locations and times

Every Wednesday, 1 Million Cups communities around North Texas and the country meet to give each other “support, encouragement, and feedback over a cup of coffee.” Entrepreneurs present their businesses to the group, but “it’s not a pitch; it’s a chance to learn, collaborate and grow,” organizers say. In North Texas, you’ll find multiple 1MC groups in locations including Dallas, Fort Worth, Irving, Frisco, Northeast Tarrant County, and Wichita Falls. Some have Zoom live feeds.

Find your community here.


Tuesday, July 22

So You Think You Need a Facility

Hosted by the BioNTX Facilities Advisory Board
Bridge Labs at Pegasus Park, 3020 Pegasus Park Dr., Dallas
2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Join the BioNTX Facilities Advisory for a discussion on how life science startups can successfully graduate from early-stage research to full-scale production. 

This session will feature insights from industry experts on the range of options available to growing companies — from leveraging co-working spaces like BioLabs and Bridge Labs, to partnering with CDMOs for scalable manufacturing, to building or renovating their own dedicated facilities. Whether you are a startup founder, developer, or part of an incoming or expanding company, this session will provide valuable guidance on planning for growth and long-term infrastructure needs.

Learn more here.


Wednesday, July 23

Construction & Manufacturing Summit

Hosted by the Women’s Business Council Southwest
Construction Education Foundation, 101 S. Royal Lane, Coppell
9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Join the Women’s Business Council Southwest at the Construction Education Foundation for a dynamic Construction & Manufacturing Summit designed to connect, empower, and elevate women-owned businesses in the industry. This half-day summit brings together professionals, procurement leaders, and industry trailblazers to foster powerful relationships and sharpen industry expertise. Whether you’re looking to grow your network, gain procurement insights, or showcase your business, this event is your platform to connect and thrive.

Event Highlights:

-Strategic Networking Opportunities

-Corporate Procurement Discussions

-Insightful Panel Discussion

-Engaging Vendor Tables Featuring Women-Owned Construction & Manufacturing Businesses and Supporters

Panel Discussion: The State of Construction and Manufacturing at the Local and Global Level
Panelists include Arlington Economic Development Corporation, CFJ Manufacturing, Consulate General of Canada, Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center, and The City of Grand Prairie

Don’t miss this opportunity to build, collaborate, and lead the future of construction and manufacturing. Parking is free.

Learn more here.

Million Cups

Various North Texas locations and times

Every Wednesday, 1 Million Cups communities around North Texas and the country meet to give each other “support, encouragement, and feedback over a cup of coffee.” Entrepreneurs present their businesses to the group, but “it’s not a pitch; it’s a chance to learn, collaborate and grow,” organizers say. In North Texas, you’ll find multiple 1MC groups in locations including Dallas, Fort Worth, Irving, Frisco, Northeast Tarrant County, and Wichita Falls. Some have Zoom live feeds.

Find your community here.


Tuesday, July 29

Reconnecting: The Future of Work, Together—Networking with Life Sciences Professionals

Hosted by BHIANT (Biotechnology and Healthcare Industry Alliance of North Texas)
Texas Live!—Troy’s, 1650 E. Randol Mill Rd., Arlington
5 to 7 p.m.

The way we work has changed—but our need to connect, collaborate, and grow hasn’t. Join fellow professionals from biotech, pharma, and medical device industries for an energizing evening of conversation, connection, and community. 

Whether you’re fully remote, hybrid, or somewhere in between, this event is your chance to meet peers face-to-face, share insights, and explore what the future of work looks like in life sciences. No panels, no pitches—just great people, engaging discussions, and a chance to build relationships that last beyond the Wi-Fi signal. 

Learn more here.


Thursday, July 31

Lunch & Learn: Financial Emergencies for Entrepreneurs

Hosted by the DEC Network and sponsored by Frost Bank
The DEC Network @RedBird Event Center, Suite #200, 3560 W. Camp Wisdom Rd., Dallas
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting your journey, this event will provide invaluable insights. Enjoy a free lunch, network with local professionals, and gain expert advice on navigating Financial Emergencies from our guest speaker.Here’s what you can look forward to:
-Delicious, Free Lunch
-Networking Opportunities with local professionals
-Expert Advice on navigating financial emergencies
-Practical Tips to help grow and sustain your business

Learn more here.


Monday, August 3 through Friday, August 7

DFW Startup Week

Hosted by DSW and sponsored by Capital One
SMU Cox School of Business, Dallas
Save the date

Every year DFW Startup Week—formerly known as Dallas Startup Week—brings together entrepreneurs and changemakers to exchange ideas, collaborate, and grow. Founders are changing the Dallas ecosystem every day and this free annual event, billed as the largest entrepreneurial gathering in North Texas, highlights what’s new and next in the region.

Keep checking back for updates on the agenda and speakers. Learn more here.

SAVE THE DATE

Friday, September 12

25th Annual Tech Titans Awards

Presented by The University of Texas at Dallas
Hyatt Regency at Stonebriar Mall, 2615 Preston Road, Frisco, TX 75034
5:00 – 10:00 p.m.

The Tech Titans Awards celebrate the innovators, executives, educators, and companies who are shaping the future of technology in North Texas. Now in its 25th year, this prestigious event recognizes outstanding achievements in technology leadership, growth, and innovation across a variety of sectors. Nominations are open through June 16.

Award Categories include:

  • Community Hero
  • Corporate CEO
  • Corporate CIO/CTO
  • Corporate Innovation
  • Emerging Company CEO
  • Emerging Company CIO/CTO
  • Emerging Company Innovation
  • Fast Tech
  • Hall of Fame
  • Startup Company CEO
  • Technology Advocate
  • Technology Inventors
  • Tech Titans of the Future (Community College/University Level + High School Level)

Learn more here.


Tuesday, September 16 through Wednesday, September 17

IC³ Life Science and Healthcare Innovation Summit

Hosted by BioNTX
Hilton Anatole Hotel, Dallas
Save the date

The 2025 iC³ Life Science & Healthcare Innovation Summit is more than just an event—it’s a glimpse into the future of life sciences and healthcare. Celebrating “10 Years and Beyond” of this premier event, BioNTX spotlights the transformative convergence of biology, technology, and artificial intelligence (AI), exploring how these advancements are driving global breakthroughs in precision medicine, biomanufacturing, and more.

Join industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders to discuss the opportunities ahead, collaborate on solutions, and accelerate innovation that transcends borders and disciplines.

Learn more here.


Tuesday, September 16 through Wednesday, September 17

Smart Spaces Conference

Hosted by Parks Associates
HALL Arts Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, Dallas
Save the date

The third annual Smart Spaces: Apartments, Hospitality, and Community Living, will be at the HALL Arts Hotel Dallas, Curio Collection by Hilton. Throughout the conference, Parks Associates will present new research on bulk broadband, managed Wi-Fi, and smart home technologies—including access control, energy management, and network support—highlighting key drivers of connectivity in multidwelling and hospitality environments. The event also will feature the inaugural Smart Spaces Property Innovation Awards for the best in proptech.

.Here are the conference sessions: 

  • Wi-Fi-Ready Experiences: Unlocking Networking
  • Integration, Centralization, & The Value of Platforms
  • Navigating Changing Regulations
  • InsurTech and Multifamily
  • Impact of AI on Multifamily
  • PropTech ROI: Revenue, NOI & Long-Term Value
  • Building Value and Transformation: Smart Spaces
  • PropTech: Impact on Property Management, Staff, Maintenance
  • Access Control: Security, Convenience, and Innovation
  • Tech Deployment & Management: Learning from the Hotel & Hospitality Sectors
  • Senior & Assisted Living
  • Energy Management: The Business of Smart Efficiency
  • Future-Proofing Real Estate: Smart Investments for Long-Term Growth
 

The event will feature consumer research, informative sessions, and networking opportunities for building executives, service providers, and hardware, middleware, and software providers enabling the next generation of solutions for the consumer, MDU, and public spaces.

Learn more here.


Wednesday, September 17

Triumph of Economic Freedom: Debunking the Seven Great Myths of American Capitalism

Hosted by The Bridwell Institute for Economic Freedom at SMU
Crum Auditorium, Collins Executive Education Center, SMU, Dallas
Save the date

Join the Bridwell Institute for a conversation with former Texas Senator Phil Gramm, one of America’s premier public policy advocates. His new book (coauthored with Donald J. Boudreaux) looks at the seven events and issues in American history that define, for most Americans, the role of government and how the 21st century world works. To many Americans, these 5 periods of American history-the Industrial Revolution, Progressive Era, Great Depression, decline of America’s postwar preeminence in world trade, and the Great Recession—along with the existing levels of income inequality and poverty, represent strong evidence for expanding government in American life. Gramm and Boudreaux argue that the evidence points to a contrary verdict: government interference and failed policies pose the most significant threat to economic freedom.

Events are 4:00 pm Reception (with book signing) and a 5:00 pm Lecture at Crum Auditorium, Collins Executive Education Center, SMU.

Learn more here.


Thursday, October 30

Venture Dallas 2025

Hosted by Venture Dallas
George W. Bush Presidential Center, Dallas
Save the date

Venture Dallas is excited to announce that Venture Dallas 2025 is set for October 30, 2025, and will be back at the George W. Bush Presidential Center on the SMU campus.

As the premier gathering of innovators, investors, and industry leaders in North Texas, Venture Dallas continues to drive connections and conversations that shape the future of venture and entrepreneurship.

Mark your calendars and stay tuned here for more details.


Wednesday, November 5

Texoma Made Conference

Hosted by Texoma Council of Governments
Austin College, Wright Campus Center, Mabee Hall, 1301 E. Brockett St., Sherman
8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Save the date

The Texoma Made Conference will bring together leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to discuss strategies for driving economic growth and resilience in the northern Texas/southern Oklahoma (Texoma) region. With rapid growth in manufacturing, business development, and job creation, addressing infrastructure challenges and ensuring sustainable growth is more important than ever.

Key Highlights:

Expert Speakers & Panels on economic growth, sustainable development, and community building

Actionable Strategies to tackle infrastructure challenges

Networking Opportunities for regional leaders and entrepreneurs

Breakfast & Lunch Provided for attendees

Local municipalities in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties (Texas) and Atoka, Bryan, Carter, Coal, Garvin, Johnston, Love, Marshall, Murray, and Pontotoc Counties (Oklahoma) will collaborate to discuss solutions for long-term economic sustainability and regional development.

Learn more here. To register, please click here.


Monday, November 17 through Sunday, November 23

Global Entrepreneurship Week in North Texas 2025

Hosted by GEWNTX
Various locations in North Texas
Save the date

Mark Your Calendars…..GEW North Texas is COMING!!!

Be on the lookout for additional information to include:
—Call for Organizers and Volunteers
—Ways to engage
—Special event announcements
Learn more here.

ONGOING


Through Monday, September 1

Titanic: The Exhibition

Hosted by Imagine and Fever
Pepper Square, 14902 Preston Road
Tickets are timed entry.

The story of one of the most important nautical disasters in history is coming to North Texas with the immersive Titanic: The Exhibition, produced by Imagine and Fever, which will open for a limited engagement in Dallas following a “highly successful” run in Chicago.

The exhibit harkens back to the morning of April 15, 1912, when the Titanic sank in the icy waters of the North Atlantic. It’s a story that still captivates and intrigues people to this day.

The largest and most immersive touring Titanic experience, Titanic: The Exhibition is a narrative journey that focuses on the fates of the passengers and crew aboard the sinking ship with stories, artifacts, and ship re-creations.

Learn more here.

Get on the list.
Dallas Innovates, every day. 

Sign up to keep your eye on what’s new and next in Dallas-Fort Worth, every day.

One quick signup, and you’re done.   
View previous emails.

R E A D   N E X T