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Every Last Word
Dallas Innovates’ signature series capturing what leaders across North Texas are saying — in their own words — about innovation, impact, and what’s next.
Light Bio's Firefly Petunia glows in the dark and will be sold by Calloway's Nursery in North Texas [Photo: Light Bio]
The Last Word: On the World’s First ‘Biolumenescent’ Flower, Going on Sale Friday at Calloway’s
by David Seeley | Mar 11, 2025
They’re one of the first signs of summer: fireflies blinking out lime-green signals to their friends, potential mates, and spellbound humans. But you don’t have to go outside to watch a nightly light show. Now you can bring that biolumenescent magic inside your own home—in flower form—with Light Bio's Firefly Petunia, The glow-in-the-dark flower goes on sale Friday at Calloway's Nursery locations across North Texas, along with a special after-hours event.
by David Seeley |
Mar 6, 2025
Dallas-based Big Thought is one of two nonprofits who have each received a $1.5 million grant from Sam’s Club, part of a $3 million investment to help youth, aged 16-24, who are out of school and unemployed by providing them with meaningful career pathways.
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by David Seeley |
Mar 5, 2025
Coppell-based Dave & Buster’s Entertainment is gearing up for spring break by dangling new enticements for visitors—including a new game that literally dangles guests up in the air. The all-new "Human Crane" experience is a life-sized version of the classic arcade claw machine—except here, guests act as the claw. Available in select Dave & Buster's locations nationwide, the Human Crane gently lowers guests into "a sea of oversized prizes," plus additional surprises throughout the year.
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by David Seeley |
Feb 27, 2025
The Center for BrainHealth at UT Dallas has announced three "major new partnerships" it says will enhance its mission to empower people at all ages and circumstances with science-backed approaches for proactive brain health and fitness. The center will be working with 21 Impact Labs, Gomo Health, and Virginia High Performance to advance proactive brain health and fitness approaches.
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Photo taken by TCU Chief University Strategy and Innovation Officer Tom Wavering at his new Fort Worth home. [Photo: LinkedIn]
The Last Word: TCU’s Chief University Strategy and Innovation Officer Puts Down Roots
by David Seeley | Feb 19, 2025
Last May, TCU named Tom Wavering as its first chief university strategy and innovation officer. The former executive director of the Tom Love Innovation Hub and entrepreneurship faculty member at the University of Oklahoma took up his post in July. But in order to advance TCU's mission and vision—focusing on fostering innovation and academic excellence—he wanted to put down roots of his own. He has since done that, with a home that already had its Fort Worth sense of place literally set in stone.
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by David Seeley |
Feb 18, 2025
Do you know a deserving teacher in Dallas-Fort Worth who could use a break? Here's your chance to help. The Holdsworth Center, a nonprofit that builds stronger leaders for Texas public schools, is inviting North Texans to nominate a teacher for a weekend retreat at the center’s campus on Lake Austin—"a one-of-a-kind place dedicated to the idea that public education matters."
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by Dallas Innovates | Staff Report |
Feb 13, 2025
“Some moments are priceless.”
Fort Worth-based Bison Coolers
…. reflecting on the company’s Google Super Bowl ad appearance, via LinkedIn.
Despite the Cowboys missing out on Super Bowl LIX, a Fort Worth family business scored big during the championship game....
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by David Seeley |
Feb 12, 2025
Advanced Therapies Week 2025—a conference focused on the latest innovations in cell and gene therapies, regenerative medicine, and other biotechnologies—attracted industry leaders, researchers, and visionaries to Dallas' Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in late January. Organized by London-based Phacilitate, the 4-day conference acted as a "collaborative hub" showcasing the intersection of cutting-edge science, transformative healthcare solutions, and dynamic regional collaboration.
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Dillon Dandurand, founder of Not Beer [Photo: Not Beer]
The Last Word: Dillon Dandurand on Why His ‘Not Beer’ Is for Drinkers and Non-Drinkers Alike
by David Seeley | Feb 6, 2025
Last April, Dallas Innovates told you about Not Beer, a newly launched no-buzz beverage that “looks like a beer, feels like a beer, tastes like premium American sparkling water.” The brand's Dallas-based founder, Dillon Dandurand, launched his product just one month after Liquid Death—another sparkling water brand with attitude—got a valuation of $1.4 billion after announcing $67 million in new funding.
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by David Seeley |
Feb 5, 2025
Dallas-based Brinker International saw its stock (NYSE: EAT) jump 16% last Wednesday. One big reason: Its Chili's Grill & Bar casual dining chain posted a Q4 sales jump of 31% for restaurants open at least a year. That marked the brand's third straight quarter of double-digit sales growth—with a 20% boost in foot traffic, not higher prices, contributed to the Q4 leap.
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by Dallas Innovates | Staff Report |
Feb 4, 2025
Fort Worth has taken off like a rocket in population growth (it had the largest numeric population gain of any city in America in 2022). Now there's speculation that actual real-life rockets could be launched into space from near the Panther City, according to a 2025 Tarrant County Commercial Real Estate Forecast discussion between Corriente Advisors CEO Mark Hart and Robert Allen, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership.
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by Dallas Innovates | Staff Report |
Jan 30, 2025
Stephen El Gidi tasted big-time competition in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics as a 100-meter butterfly specialist. But his competitive juices really got flowing when he tried to sell "cheesecakes on a stick" at Six Flags Over Texas and The State Fair of Texas. He found huge success in both historic venues—which led to him opening his own shop last month: Drizzle Cheesecakes at 310 W. Las Colinas Blvd. in Irving.
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Brandon Kershner, partner & VP of design at Dallas-based Azzurro Living. [Video still: Azzurro Living]
The Last Word: Azzurro Living’s Brandon Kershner on His 2025 Outdoor Furniture Collection
by David Seeley | Jan 28, 2025
Azzurro Living—a "luxury-driven" outdoor furniture company in the Dallas Design District—aims to push the boundaries of craftsmanship for outdoor-indoor lifestyles. "We founded Azzurro Living on our love for design and saw an opportunity to bring something truly exciting to the outdoor furniture space," Partner and VP of Design Brandon Kershner said in a statement.
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by Dallas Innovates | Staff Report |
Jan 23, 2025
This coming Monday, Jan. 27, marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp, also recognized as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. In the run-up to this global event, the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum is opening up its doors for free to students this Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 25 and 26.
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by David Seeley |
Jan 22, 2025
Since 2013, Dallas-based Bedford Lodging has built hotels across the U.S. that look like, well, hotels—including The Hoffman Hotel in Basalt, Colorado, an AC Marriott in Santa Rosa, California, and a Fairfield Inn & Suites in El Paso, among numerous others. But one being built now in Fort Worth is the first to feature a fire pole.
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by Quincy Preston |
Jan 21, 2025
The signature Jam Vino gourmet wine-infused jam created by Keller-based Chef Lorius was one 92 brands to receive a Golden Ticket during the annual Walmart Open Call. Available online now at Walmart.com, it'll reach the discount giant's shelves in 2025. "Jam Vino combines the heart of the South with the elegance of wine country, and our partnership with Walmart allows us to fulfill our mission of providing Everyday Luxury for Everyday People," Chef Lorious (AKA Lori Rogers) said in a statement.
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