It’s not every day a 90-year-old helicopter company and a biotech startup bringing back extinct species share the same stage. But at D CEO and Dallas Innovates’ 2025 Innovation Awards, that’s exactly what happened—and it captures the spirit of North Texas innovation right now.
The annual event honors trailblazing organizations of all sizes, from startups to enterprise giants, that are redefining industries and shaping the future.
As Innovation Advocate winner Jennifer Sanders put it, “That future is still being written.” When Sanders moved to Dallas from Chicago in 2005, she planned to stay a few years. Instead, she found a place where big ideas take root. Now, as CEO of the North Texas Innovation Alliance, she travels the globe—from Barcelona to Japan—helping international leaders recalibrate their perceptions of the region. “The accessibility of leadership, being able to have ideas come to life—that’s something uniquely Dallas,” she said.

Jennifer Sanders, left, on stage with D CEO Managing Editor Ben Swanger at the D CEO and Dallas Innovates Innovation Awards 2025 event. [Photo: Michael Samples]
That spirit was on full display at this year’s awards event, hosted at On the Levee in the Dallas Design District on Thursday, Jan. 16.
Aerospace, security, and game-changing tech
Take Fort Worth-based Bell, which is replacing the iconic Black Hawk helicopter with the revolutionary V-280 Valor tiltrotor aircraft. This system doubles the speed and range of traditional helicopters, pushing aerospace innovation forward. Meanwhile, Richardson-based AirSight is securing critical airspaces with advanced drone detection technology. Its systems have safeguarded state prisons, oil and gas infrastructure, and the Houston Ship Channel—responsible for over 25% of Texas’ GDP.
Picked to patrol the 2026 FIFA World Cup, AirSight’s tech has also helped intercept more than $40 million in contraband through real-time tracking capabilities, according to the company.
Breaking biology’s boundaries
Reaching unicorn status with a billion-dollar valuation is a defining milestone for startups. But for this year’s Startup of the Year, Dallas-based Colossal Biosciences, it was just an early marker on its ambitious mission to restore Earth’s lost biodiversity. Now, just four years after its founding, the newly minted decacorn—Texas’ first—is valued at $10.2 billion following a $200 million Series C round earlier this month.
Co-founded by serial entrepreneur Ben Lamm and Harvard geneticist George Church, Colossal is pushing the boundaries of biotechnology. The biotech company is working to bring back species like the woolly mammoth, Tasmanian tiger, and dodo bird by using advanced genetics, computational biology, and AI to tackle challenges once thought insurmountable.

Dave Copps, left, on stage with D CEO Editor Christine Perez at the D CEO and Dallas Innovates Innovation Awards 2025 event. [Photo: Michael Samples]
Bringing AI into the physical world
Not surprisingly, AI ventures stood out across this year’s awards.
Worlds CEO and Co-Founder Dave Copps, named Startup Leader of the Year, is advancing AI into what he calls the next frontier: Physical AI. While media attention has focused on generative AI, chatbots, and virtual assistants, his Worlds team took a pioneering path. The result? AI for a world in motion—bridging the gap between digital intelligence and the physical world.
The company’s enterprise platform, which uses existing cameras and IoT sensors, “sees and senses” physical environments, transforming real-world data into operational intelligence in real time. Deployed by Chevron and the Department of Defense, the platform autolearns and trains AI models 100 to 1,000 times faster than traditional methods, helping clients automate processes and act on insights in minutes rather than months.
Dallas-Fort Worth companies are advancing AI on multiple fronts.
Cien.ai, winner of Innovation in AI and Machine Learning, developed tools to measure the human factors driving sales performance—and identify new opportunities for growth. CEO Margot Carter summed it up: “Measure what matters.” Emerging Leader of the Year Taylor Calise led Imaginuity’s AI Lab in creating Cindy, a virtual shopping assistant now live across more than 10 JLL retail centers nationwide.
In healthcare, innovation winner SilverStone Health uses AI to anticipate needs for its home-care patients with complex chronic conditions and terminal illnesses across six levels of care.

Margot Carter, left, on stage with D CEO Editor Christine Perez. [Photo: Michael Samples]
Innovation touches every industry
Applied Digital, winner of Innovation in Real Estate, is building data centers for AI and high-performance computing workloads. Fitness tech firm OxeFit integrates AI into smart tools for athletes and rehabilitation. Integrity Marketing Group’s Harsh Singla, named CIO/CTO of the Year, demonstrated how AI-driven analytics are boosting a $25 billion sales portfolio and improving client retention by 30%.
In transportation, Aurora’s AI-driven autonomous trucking system, winner of Innovation in Transportation, is redefining freight movement. Already running 115 driverless hauls weekly, the company plans a fully autonomous launch later this year—a major milestone in logistics.
Old rules don’t apply
In Dallas-Fort Worth, innovation blurs boundaries.
The Dallas Stars proved that by fundamentally changing how sports media works. Under the leadership of Corporate Leader of the Year Brad Alberts, the Stars launched the first free, direct-to-consumer streaming platform in pro sports. While other sports teams worried about collapsing cable deals, Alberts and his team led the way—prompting others like the Texas Rangers and Anaheim Ducks to follow the streaming-app path.
That same boundary-breaking spirit drives Gannett.Partners, winner of Innovation in Education, in its collaboration with Dallas rap legend the D.O.C. Together, they’re equipping South Dallas youth with tools for tech and creative careers. The program combines music, gaming, advertising, and technology to prepare students for high-demand industries.
And that’s just the start. Here’s the complete list of 75 winners and finalists for the 2025 Innovation Awards. Honorees were also recognized in the January/February issue of D CEO magazine.
THE INNOVATION AWARDS 2025
COMPANY AWARDS
STARTUP OF THE YEAR

Colossal Biosciences co-founders Ben Lamm and George Church. [Photo: Colossal]
Winner: Colossal Biosciences (Dallas)
Colossal Biosciences, founded in 2021 by entrepreneur Ben Lamm and Harvard geneticist George Church, became Texas’ first decacorn with a $10.2 billion valuation following its recent $200 million Series C funding. While the “world’s first de-extinction” company’s moonshot mission to revive extinct species like the woolly mammoth, dodo, and Tasmanian Tiger capture the public imagination, its efforts are driving broader innovations. The genetic engineering and computational breakthroughs developed for de-extinction are already advancing biodiversity conservation, endangered species preservation, and more. “The core of Colossal is a trillion-dollar opportunity,” Lamm recently told Dallas Innovates.
Finalists: Backflip (Dallas), Yendo (Dallas)
CORPORATE INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR
Winner: Bell (Fort Worth)

[Photo: Michael Samples/Dallas Innovates]
As Bell celebrates its 90th year in 2025, the Fort Worth company led by CEO Lisa Atherton continues to revolutionize vertical flight technology. From developing the first commercially certified helicopter to today’s cutting-edge tiltrotor and HSVTOL (High-Speed Vertical Take-Off and Landing) concepts, Bell is shaping aviation’s future for both military and civilian uses. The scale of its latest innovation is massive—their V-280 Valor tiltrotor aircraft, selected to replace the iconic Black Hawk helicopter, doubles both speed and range of traditional helicopters. “We’re not just celebrating 90 years of innovation,” a Bell representative said at the awards, “we’re daring to push the boundaries of what’s possible.” The company’s planned $632 million plant in North Fort Worth will create 500 new jobs and introduce advanced robotics and AI into aerospace production.
Finalists: Aligned Data Centers (Plano), BAL (Richardson), Experion Technologies (Plano)
INNOVATION IN AI AND MACHINE LEARNING

Margot Carter [Photo: Michael Samples/Dallas Innovates]
Winner: Cien.ai (Dallas)
Cien.ai, co-founded by Margot Carter in 2016, uses advanced AI to measure and analyze the human elements of sales performance. The platform aims to generate actionable insights from CRM data within 72 hours, helping companies uncover hidden revenue opportunities even from imperfect data. “I like to prove people wrong,” Carter said, reflecting on her early bet on AI when many still doubted the science. Now partnering with leading consulting firms, the company recently expanded its reach through Microsoft’s Azure Marketplace.
Finalists: evolv Consulting (Dallas), Lumin Fitness (Irving)
INNOVATION IN BANKING AND FINANCE

Royce Ramsey [Photo: Michael Samples/Dallas Innovates]
Winner: Versant Capital Management (Dallas)
Versant Capital Management, an independent wealth management and investment advisory firm, expanded its operations to Dallas in 2023. After surpassing $1 billion in assets under management, Co-CEO Royce Ramey reflected on his bold career pivot. “Although it was the biggest risk I’ve taken, it has unquestionably been the most fulfilling step I’ve ever made,” he told D CEO.
Finalists: Quiltt (Dallas), Texans Credit Union (Richardson), Texas Capital (Dallas), TradeOff (Fairview), Veritex Community Bank (Dallas), Zirtue (Dallas)
INNOVATION IN CYBERSECURITY

Lalit Ahluwalia [Photo: Michael Samples/Dallas Innovates]
Winner: DigitalXForce (Southlake)
Southlake-based DigitalXForce, founded in 2023 by CEO Lalit Ahluwalia, has quickly emerged as an innovative force in cybersecurity. The startup is now valued at $33 million with a second funding round in the works, according to D CEO. “Cybersecurity isn’t just a business for me, it has become a purpose,” Ahluwalia said at the awards. Now DigitalXForce is expanding by launching cybersecurity escape rooms across DFW for hands-on training and developing protections for autonomous vehicles. It expects to double its workforce this year.
Finalists: ByteTrail (Dallas), Intel 471 (McKinney), StrikeReady (Richardson), Zimperium (Dallas)
INNOVATION IN EDUCATION

Chris Gannett [Photo: Michael Samples/Dallas Innovates]
Winner: Gannett.Partners (Dallas)
Former Sony Music and American Idol executive Chris Gannett has teamed up with a Dallas hip-hop legend to create new pathways into media and technology careers. His partner, The D.O.C. (Tracy Lynn Curry), helped shape hip-hop history—first as an acclaimed solo artist with 1989’s “No One Can Do It Better,” then as a key collaborator with N.W.A., Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg. Even after a car accident altered his voice, The D.O.C. continued influencing the industry as a songwriter, producer, and mentor. Now, through the nonprofit D.O.C Cares and with seed funding from the Dallas Regional Chamber, the duo is developing an educational platform that blends music, gaming, advertising, and technology training. The curriculum, developed with Big Thought, aims to help South Dallas students access opportunities in high-demand creative industries while building pride and possibility.
Finalists: Bold Idea (Irving), Paul Quinn College (Dallas), Tech CxO LaunchPad (Dallas), Texas A&M-Fort Worth Innovation Campus (Fort Worth)
INNOVATION IN HEALTHCARE AND BIOTECH

SilverStone Health CEO Alfonso Montiel (right) [Photo: Michael Samples/Dallas Innovates]
Winner: SilverStone Health (Dallas)
“I embarked on a mission to fix our corner of healthcare,” Alfonso Montiel has said. He found his calling at age 49 when he began volunteering in hospice care. Rather than accept a broken system, he launched SilverStone Health in 2020, creating what he called the only company of its type in the country providing integrated medical care at home for patients with advanced and terminal illnesses. In just four years, SilverStone grew from serving 17 patients to over 2,000 daily. Using AI to predict patient needs across six levels of care, SilverStone is revolutionizing service for people with complex chronic conditions and terminal diagnoses. Accepting the award, Montiel praised Dallas’ welcoming environment for entrepreneurs from all backgrounds, reflecting on his journey as an immigrant entrepreneur. To build this, he said at the event, “wouldn’t be possible anywhere else.”
Finalists: Children’s Health (Dallas), PCCI (Dallas), Reveles (Southlake), Southwest Transplant Alliance (Dallas)
INNOVATION IN MANUFACTURING AND CONSUMER GOODS

OxeFit CEO Rab Shanableh [Photo: OxeFit]
Winner: OxeFit (Plano)
OxeFit, founded in 2019 by Rab Shanableh and Peter Neuhaus, is revolutionizing both consumer fitness and professional rehabilitation through AI-integrated strength training systems. The company’s technology combines robotics, artificial intelligence, and performance tracking to create comprehensive connected fitness platforms. Its vision has attracted notable investors including NFL star Dak Prescott, hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, and golf pro Dustin Johnson. In September 2024, OxeFit raised $17.5 million in Series A3 funding, bringing total investment to over $70 million, with biohacking entrepreneur Dave Asprey and [solidcore] founder Anne Mahlum joining as new investors.
Finalists: G.O.A.T. Fuel, Niagara (Flower Mound), Toucan Cocktails (Dallas), Twisted X Global Brands (Decatur)
INNOVATION IN REAL ESTATE

Applied Digital co-founder, CEO, and chairman Wes Cummins [Video still: Applied Blockchain]
Winner: Applied Digital (Dallas)
Applied Digital’s strategic partnership with NVIDIA and $160 million financing round in September positioned it at the intersection of real estate and AI. Under CEO Wes Cummins’ leadership, the company is building what it calls one of the world’s largest data centers, developing 300MW of additional capacity, and creating purpose-built infrastructure using advanced technologies like closed-loop liquid cooling. “Growing up on a family farm in Idaho taught me about the importance of hard work and loving what you do,” Cummins told D CEO. The company’s proprietary platform aims to deliver hyper-efficient solutions for advanced AI workloads in a traditionally constrained market.
Finalists: CAF Cos. (Frisco), UnderPar Life (Fort Worth), Walsh Group (Irving)
INNOVATION IN ROBOTICS AND IOT

Robert Tabbara [Source: Airsight]
Winner: AirSight (Richardson)
Richardson-based AirSight, founded by Robert Tabbara in 2003, has developed sophisticated airspace security solutions centered on its AirGuard platform. The system provides real-time drone detection using multi-layered technology—combining RF detection, radar, and visual/thermal sensors—that’s scalable for various security needs. Last year, the company, which received an investment from Dallas’ Cypress Growth Capital, expanded its impact by partnering with New Mexico Tech and RedUAS to provide counter-UAS training for law enforcement and first responders.
Finalists: Anantak Robotics (Dallas), Graze Robotics (Plano), Harbor (Dallas), RobotLAB (Southlake)
INNOVATION IN SAAS

Eric Fortenberry [Photo: Michael Samples/Dallas Innovates]
Winner: JobTread Software (Dallas)
JobTread Software, officially founded in 2019 by Eric Fortenberry, grew from a 2018 project developing construction management software for a commercial contractor. The company has since experienced explosive growth with a two-year growth rate of 4,781%, and ranks at the top of construction estimating, management, and scheduling software categories. The fast-growing company aims to serve hundreds of thousands of construction companies globally.
Finalists: Aletheia Marketing & Media (Dallas), SalesBoost (Dallas), Siepe (Dallas)
INNOVATION IN TRANSPORTATION
Winner: Aurora (Coppell)
With major operations in Dallas-Fort Worth—including a significant office in Coppell and terminals in Palmer and Fort Worth—Aurora Innovation is redefining autonomous trucking. Already running 115 driverless hauls weekly with human operators in the cabs monitoring each haul, the company is gearing up for its fully autonomous launch later this year. Under President Ossa Fisher’s leadership, Aurora is building trust in the industry by demonstrating how AI-driven systems can ensure safety and efficiency on Texas roads. “By leveraging the best of modern AI approaches, we are able to build a driver that is both human-like in its behavior and trained to follow the rules of the road,” she told D CEO. In 2024, the company hauled over 7,000 loads across nearly two million commercial miles, and finalized the design of its future Aurora Driver hardware with Continental. The company aims to launch its driverless trucking service in Texas in early 2025.
Finalists: Mozee (Arlington), RailPros (Irving), Southern Dallas Link (Dallas)
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
CORPORATE LEADER OF THE YEAR

Brad Alberts, president and CEO, Dallas Stars [Photo: Michael Samples]
Winner: Brad Alberts, Dallas Stars (Frisco)
Under Brad Alberts’ leadership, the Dallas Stars became pro sports’ first pioneers of free streaming last year, taking control of their media destiny when traditional broadcast models were crumbling. “We’re willing to pioneer it and rip the Band-Aid off and go,” Alberts told the Dallas Morning News about the team’s groundbreaking seven-year agreement to stream all regional games free through the VICTORY+ app. The innovation wasn’t just about going direct-to-consumer—it was making it free and ad-supported, prioritizing fan access over traditional revenue models. The move has already inspired more than 20 teams to explore similar streaming-app possibilities. At the awards event, Alberts credited his organization’s willingness to take risks and see the media landscape evolving, praising his team for their courage to reimagine how fans connect with sports.
Finalists: Bryan Adams (Integrity), Tom Cole (Tandem Theory) Wally Gomaa (Coupe Health), Rod Washington (Frost Bank)
STARTUP LEADER OF THE YEAR

Dave Copps, CEO and co-founder, Worlds [Photo: Michael Samples/Dallas Innovates]
Winner: Dave Copps, Worlds
Worlds is an enterprise AI platform that turns real-world physical data into real-time operational intelligence to help organizations monitor and understand their physical environments. It gives industrial operations “superhuman” situational awareness, Copps says. “We started with this crazy idea,” he said at the event. “What if we could build software to see and sense the world like people do? Now we’re connecting cameras and sensors to give companies the ability to see and sense everything happening, pervasively, all at the same time.”
Finalists: Travis Hollman (MeSpace), Justin Monger (MedSure Systems), Taylor Shead (Stemuli), Jeremy Whittington (Illuma)
EMERGING LEADER OF THE YEAR

Taylor Calise, CEO, Imaginuity [Photo: Michael Samples/Dallas Innovates]
Winner: Taylor Calise, Imaginuity
After stewarding a major acquisition, Calise grew his integrated marketing agency to serve more than 3,300 client locations across North America, aiming to reimagine ways to “make marketing smarter through data, technology, and insights.” In April, Imaginuity announced “virtual shopping bestie” Cindy, which Imaginuity created with a mix of generative AI tools driven by a proprietary recipe of procedures, prompts, and modeling.
Finalists: Raleigh Dewan (SteadiSpoon), Hui-Ting Goh (Texas Woman’s University), Siddarth Nandyala (STEM IT), Lindsey Tyra (Children’s Health)
CIO/CTO OF THE YEAR

Harsh Singla, CTO, Integrity Marketing Group [Photo: Michael Samples/Dallas Innovates]
Winner: Harsh Singla, Integrity Marketing Group
Dallas-based Integrity Marketing Group—an independent distributor of life and health insurance products and provider of wealth management and retirement planning solutions—operates as an insurtech firm, leveraging technology, data analytics, and AI. Under Singla’s leadership, the tech team’s growth from 6 to 600 members drove agent response efficiency up 50% and improved client retention by 30%, while managing $46 billion in assets.
Finalists: Adrian Butler (Foot Locker), Casey Foster (JobTread Software), Pam Presswood (Valor), Barry Shurkey (NTT Data North America)
ADVOCATE AWARD

Jennifer Sanders, co-founder and executive director, North Texas Innovation Alliance [Photo: Michael Samples/Dallas Innovates]
Winner: Jennifer Sanders, North Texas Innovation Alliance
Sanders, co-founder and executive director of the nonprofit North Texas Innovation Alliance (NTXIA), leads efforts to work collaboratively to drive solutions that increase efficiencies, sustainability, economic growth, and quality of life in the region. Under Sanders’ leadership in 2024, NTXIA saw the launch of an Urban Resilience Fellowship Program with UTA and UTD, the Internet for North Texas Coalition reboot, and the Smart Cities Global Startup Challenge.
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Island’s Eric Appel, center, with Austin Lewis, left, and Keith Weatherford took the win for Innovation in Cybersecurity in 2024. [Photo: Michael Samples/DI]
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