MassChallenge

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SMU and MassChallenge Launch Fintech Coalition and Accelerator

by | Oct 7, 2026
The MassChallenge-run SMU Cox FinTech Accelerator will select up to 15 fintech startups for the annual program. The accelerator opened applications Oct. 6 and will accept them through Nov. 19.
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The Last Word: MassChallenge CEO on INNOVATE ’25 and Looking Ahead at Forces Shaping Economies
by | Nov 5, 2025
Cait Brumme says the event at Dallas' Pegasus Park on Nov. 6 will explore the technologies and economic forces defining the future for entrepreneurs and innovators.
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A slide showing Tremedics' award-winning technology for treating narrowed aortas in children (left). Their special dissolving stent (right) opens blocked blood vessels and then disappears as the child grows, eliminating the need for repeated surgeries and potentially helping thousands of the 40,000 U.S. babies born with heart defects annually. [Image source: Tremedics]
Fort Worth’s Tremedics Wins $25K Healthcare Award at MassChallenge RESOLVE ’25 in Boston
by | May 12, 2025
Tre Welch, Tremedics Medical Devices Inc., Leon Jacobson, Ted Price, Nerveli Inc., Sarah Iselin, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, TechFW, MassChallenge, ClearLeaf, Feathery, Algas Organics, Coastal Protection Solutions
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MassChallenge Adds VP of Texas Strategy to Support Innovation and Entrepreneurial Growth

by | Jun 14, 2024
In Michelle Williams' previous role as executive director for The Dallas Entrepreneur Center's southern sector initiative, she helped build and launch The DEC @ Redbird. She brings more than 15 years of thought leadership in social impact and innovation to her new role at MassChallenge.
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MassChallenge Human Potential Startup Showcase ‘Pushes the Boundaries’ of What Humans Can Do
by | Nov 14, 2023
The event, held November 7 at Dallas' Pegasus Park, capped off a six-week MassChallenge Human Potential Sprint program based in Dallas. Sixteen startups from across the U.S. took part, pursuing innovations from wearable devices to "digital pills" to next-gen eye-tracking tech. See who pitched what.
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Fort Worth-based Petal Is a Finalist at P&G’s Home Cleanovation Challenge
by | Sep 11, 2023
Aiming to "reimagine the future of waste disposal," Petal launched "the world’s first zero-odor, germ-freezing waste bin" in 2020. On Tuesday, it's pitching the product as a finalist at Procter & Gamble's Home Cleanovation Challenge, administered by MassChallenge.
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Supercharging Performance: MassChallenge Seeks Tech Innovators for Human Potential Sprint in Dallas
by | Aug 18, 2023
MassChallenge will assemble human performance and sports tech innovators to redefine the bounds of the human condition in a new six-week, high-intensity program. Target technologies are applications in biotech, defense, healthcare, space, and sports.

Applications for the Dallas-based cohort are open through September 7.
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Global Startup Accelerator Tapped Dallas for Its First-Ever MC|Innovate Conference

by | Jul 26, 2023
MassChallenge brought together more than 200 startups, investors, and corporates from the U.S. and beyond for a three-day gathering at Dallas' Pegasus Park. The Boston-based nonprofit accelerator, which expanded to North Texas last year, showcased its new hub as a center of innovation and entrepreneurship.
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Super Connectors: Where the ‘Power of One’ Meets ‘Always Be Networking’
by | Jul 26, 2023
Drawing from his own powerful lesson after losing a multimillion-dollar deal, TransPharMed CEO Kirk Barnes helps founders and leaders to be primed and ready to connect when opportunity knocks. Will Magruder, VP of partnerships at MassChallenge, lends his expertise to crafting a "handshake pitch" in nine words or less. Here's how.

Plus, the votes are in. MassChallenge announced its Handshake Pitch Winners at Pegasus Park: “We're the Tesla of jet skis,” “Net-zero concrete by 2050 by 2022," "We personalize treatment down to your genes," and more.
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No Sugar-Coating: Vertex Pharma Founder Shares 8 ‘Rules’ for Startup Success
by | Jul 26, 2023
From an old car parts garage, Vertex Founder Joshua Boger launched the Boston-based biotech giant in 1989, running it for two decades as CEO. Boger "unretired" in June to join fast-moving Alkeus Pharmaceuticals as executive chairman.

In Dallas, he shared the "mistakes" that led to his success with innovators at Pegasus Park. Here's his no-holds-barred dose of truth for all entrepreneurs.
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MassChallenge U.S. Early Stage Accelerator Cohort Unveiled: 186 Startups Primed to Make an Impact
by | Jul 26, 2023
The U.S. Early Stage Accelerator cohort kicked off its program in July at Dallas' Pegasus Park. For the first time, the flagship program split into two categories: Growth and Foundations.
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DSW Dispatches: Startup Mentor Helps Founders Craft Their Pitch

by | Aug 9, 2022
“Remember, we're just one pitch away from changing the world,” says Wen Zhang. “It's our job as a founder, as a co-founder to show people the world that we are seeing.”

The founder and CEO of the INNW Institute helps leaders hone their pitches when approaching venture capitalists and other investors
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From Trout Jerky to Bike Safety to Cancer Fighters: 13 DFW Startups Selected for MassChallenge Accelerator
by | Aug 9, 2022
Thirteen Dallas-Fort Worth startups are among the 250 companies named to the MassChallenge 2022 U.S. Early-Stage Accelerator. One of the most acclaimed startup accelerators in the U.S., MassChallenge has supported founders in 20 countries worldwide. Meet the 13 DFW startups who'll get "unparalleled" mentorship and partnership, free workspace in MassChallenge's Dallas office, and the chance to win equity-free cash prizes in the accelerator's up to $1 million annual competition.
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Funding
Follow the Money: Dallas SPAC Raises $123M IPO, FortyTwo.VC Aims to Raise $50M Fund, Crestline Investors Closes Funds with $3.6B in Commitments, and More
by | Mar 21, 2022
What companies are finding funding or having a big exit? From startup investments to grants and acquisitions, Dallas Innovates tracks what’s happening in North Texas money.
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Collaboration Is the Key to North Texas’ Emergence as a Bio-Hub
"When it comes to the biotech industry, our region is leading the U.S. in key metrics of job growth and investment," write Kathleen Otto and George Goodno. One proof point? VC funding is flowing into DFW at a faster rate than any other area in the nation.

These North Texas life science leaders say the region's success is no coincidence. Here's how the shared ambition of key players and strategic collaboration has impact.
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