Entrepreneurs and change-makers will gather for the fifth edition of Dallas Startup Week, powered by Capital One, when it returns April 1-5 to downtown Dallas.

Roughly 10,000 are expected to attend the free, five-day event put together by The Dallas Entrepreneur Center, along with more than 100 industry leaders and volunteers. 

Organizers said that DSW19 is dedicated to connecting and uniting startups, founders, corporate and social innovators, investors, and community leaders.

“It is through these collisions that we unlock the collective power of our corporate landscape and boost the visibility of our startup ecosystem,” The DEC’s CEO, Alyce Alston, said in a statement. “This will further position our region as the preeminent hub for driving innovation and defining the future of our economy.”

Alyce Alston is CEO of The DEC Network. [Photo: Skyler Fike/Background: iStockphoto]

Dallas Startup Week is recognized as one of the largest events driving entrepreneurial success, economic impact, and innovation in Dallas Fort-Worth.

According to a news release, DSW19 will feature over 150 sessions across 16 categories, with a series of special events including the return of the annual State of Entrepreneurship. 

Headline speakers will included Dallas Mavericks owner and entrepreneur Mark Cuban, developer and entrepreneur Craig Hall, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, Paul Quinn College President Michael Sorrel, Jennifer Sampson of the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, and technology business journalist Kara Swisher over the event’s five-day run.

READ NEXT That’s in Dallas: Apply Now to Showcase Your Innovation at Dallas Startup Week

“I’m excited to be part of Dallas Startup Week. Dallas is a great place to start and run a business and there is no better time than the present for us to take things to the next level,” Mark Cuban said in a statement.

Capital One will present an event aimed at elevating Dallas-Fort Worth as a hub of innovation.

“This year Capital One is hosting the first-ever Corporate Startup Innovation Summit, bringing together local entrepreneurs and corporations for a day of learning, inspiration and collaboration,” said Sanjiv Yajnik, president of financial services at Capital One, in a statement. 

[Photo: Grant Miller]

Also new this year is the Women of Innovation Summit, which will recognize, encourage, and advance female leadership. It will feature a group of leading visionaries who will aim to celebrate, inspire, and connect change-makers across multiple markets and industries.

And, Disrupt Dallas will celebrate the individuals who are disrupting the diversity pipeline, entrepreneurial market, and landscape, along with offering expert education and programming for minority entrepreneurs.

Track Captains for DSW19

2019 TRACK CHAIR
Jessica Vittorio, Law Offices of Jessica Vittorio

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Viswanath Puttagunta, DIVERGENCE.ai
Brandon Miller, Clarkston Consulting

AR/VR
Veena Somareddy, Neurorehab VR

BLOCKCHAIN
Cody Marx Bailey

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Jane Kim, Axion Music Agency
Sarah Badran, Creative Currency

CAPITAL & FUNDING
Ricky Tejapaibul, Tech WIldcatters
Samantha Colletti,  Silicon Valley Bank

CYBERSECURITY
Helena Krusec, Capital Factory

FASHION
Leah Frazier, Think Three Media

GAMING/ESPORTS
Ked Cole, XR Sports Group

HEALTHCARE
Loren Bolton, Health Wildcatters
Hubert Zajicek, Health Wildcatters

HOSPITALITY
Cary Broussard, Broussard Global

LEGAL
Nic O’Brien, Vela Wood

MARKETING
Tracy Altman, Altman Consulting

REAL ESTATE
Chelsea Story, Colliers

RETAIL
Matt Alexander, Neighborhood Goods

SOCIAL GOOD
Michelle Corson, On The Road Lending
Shaylon Scott, On The Road Lending
Sarah Miller, On The Road Lending

TRAVEL & TOURISM
Alex Ramsey, LodeStart Universal

Event Highlights

Here’s a breakdown of what you can look forward to.

Women of Innovation Summit 
The Women of Innovation Summit aims to recognize, encourage and advance female leaders who have the courage and passion to transform their ideas and ambitions into a reality. The summit will challenge female leaders to reimagine our organizations, communities and our future, according to the organizers. Featuring a dynamic group of leading visionaries, it will celebrate, inspire and connect changemakers across markets and industries to provide all women with greater insights and knowledge into the trends and possibilities of the future.

Corporate Startup Innovation Summit 
The Corporate Startup Innovation Summit aims to unite the breadth and diversity of DFW’s corporations and the region’s dynamic startup ecosystem. It’s goal is to mobilize these groups by featuring DFW’s best and brightest innovators who will share how their companies are shaping our future. The summit aims to generate new ideas, business models, investment trends, connections and opportunities for business growth and acceleration.

Disrupt Dallas 
The Disrupt Dallas track will celebrate the champions that are disrupting the diversity pipeline, entrepreneurial market, and our very landscape as well as providing expert education and programming for minority entrepreneurs.

Basecamp
The hub and epicenter for Dallas Startup Week will be at Ross Tower located at 500 N. Akard St. In partnership with HPI Commercial Real Estate, it’s the second year for Basecamp at the Ross Tower location.

You can register here for DSW19 and receive weekly updates on new headline speakers, programs, and events.

Updated March 8, 2019 at 9:24 with additional event information.

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