A Dallas Mavericks tech exec. A UT Dallas biomedical inventor. A neuroscience entrepreneur harnessing AI for drug discovery. A founder bringing virtual reality to elder care. And another turning laundry into a tech-powered convenience.

They’re all among the finalists for the 25th annual Tech Titans Awards, announced today by Tech Titans, the state’s largest tech trade association.

The 2025 awards spotlight standout individuals and companies across North Texas—from high school STEM educators and early-stage entrepreneurs to powerhouse corporations driving innovation at scale.

Finalists span more than a dozen categories, including CIO/CTO of the Year, Technology Inventor, and Emerging Company Innovation.

Winners will be revealed in an awards celebration on Friday, September 12, at the Hyatt Regency Frisco at Stonebriar. Tickets and tables go on sale August 1.

The 2025 Tech Titans Awards finalists are:

Community Hero

Abigail Erickson-Torres, Frontiers of Flight Museum
Kris Fitzgerald, Smart Data Solutions
Shoba Krishnamurthy, Toyota Financial Services
Debbie Mrazek, The Sales Company

Corporate CIO/CTO Award

Todd Kackley, Textron
Steven Klohn, Dave & Buster’s
Phillip McKibbins, Dallas Mavericks
Dr. Julius Smith, Dallas Area Rapid Transit

Corporate Innovation Award

InfoVision
KPMG
Murata
Prodapt North America

Emerging Company CEO Award

Lalit Ahluwalia, DigitalXForce
Maria Coello, MyClick Insurance
Laurel Hess, hampr
Elad Inbar, RobotLAB

Emerging Company CIO/CTO Award

Merlin Bise, Inbenta
Priya Reddy, Reprise Financial
Sudip Shekhawat, LeaseLock
Jack Smith, WATTER

Emerging Company Innovation Award

DigitalXForce
Island
QualiZeal
TrueSpot

Startup Company CEO Award

Chris Brickler, Mynd Immersive
Mohammed Njie, Janta Power
David Roberson PhD, Blackbox Bio
Veena Somareddy, Neuro Rehab VR

Technology Advocate Award

Karen Bruno, Tech CxO LaunchPad
Dr. Joseph Pancrazio, UT Dallas
Jennifer Sanders, North Texas Innovation Alliance
Hope Shimabuku, USPTO—Southwest Regional Office

Technology Inventor Award

Mike Hanna, TrueSpot
Dr. Michael Kilgard, Texas Biomedical Device Center, UT Dallas
Astha Malhotra PhD, Phylactics
David Roberson PhD, Blackbox Bio

Tech Titans Of The Future – College/University

Collin College, Electronic Engineering Technology Program
Dallas College, Texas A&M Engineering Academy
SMU, Cox School of Business, Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership
UT Dallas, North Texas Semiconductor Institute

Tech Titans Of The Future – High School

Matt Abbondanzio, Greenhill School
Kim Biggerstaff, Frisco ISD
Marcus Edwards, Farmersville ISD
Julia Goodwin, Plano ISD

The Fast Tech Awards representing fastest-growing technology companies in North Texas also will be announced by rank at the ceremony. The newest member of the Tech Titans Hall of Fame will be inducted during the celebration as well.

First-ever “Host City Sponsor”

Tech Titans said it has recognized excellence and achievement in the North Texas technology industry for the past 25 years with its presentation of 14 awards at an “Oscar-style” presentation ceremony.

This year, the City of Frisco will be the first-ever “Host City Sponsor” for the 2025 Tech Titans Awards, according to Tech Titans Executive Director Paul Bendel.

From left: Paul Bendel, executive director of Tech Titans, and Jason Ford, president of the Frisco Economic Development Corporation [Courtesy photos]

Tech Titans said that by hosting, Frisco reinforces its place as a leading hub for technology and forward-thinking innovation. 

“This is an exciting opportunity to celebrate the innovators and disruptors shaping our region’s future,” Jason Ford, president of the Frisco Economic Development Corp., said in a statement.

“Frisco has become a testbed for disruptive technologies and a magnet for forward-thinking companies and investors shaping the future of business,” he added.

In May, the city and Plug and Play’s announced the opening of Origin—a new public-private partnership envisioned by the Frisco Economic Development Corp. and implemented by global innovation platform Plug and Play at the Baylor Scott & White Health Sports Therapy & Research building.

Representing North Texas tech companies

Tech Titans represents more than 300 member companies and over a quarter-million tech workers in the region. Headquartered in Richardson, the nonprofit serves as a convener and advocate for innovation across North Texas.

Ahead of the main event in September, Tech Titans is also hosting a Tech Industry Luncheon spotlighting eight finalists from both the Corporate and Emerging Company categories. The luncheon is expected to sell out quickly. Registration is open now: learn more and register here.

Lance Murray contributed to this report. The story was updated on July 29, 2025, with additional event details.

Don’t miss what’s next. Subscribe to Dallas Innovates.

Track Dallas-Fort Worth’s business and innovation landscape with our curated news in your inbox Tuesday-Thursday.