the dec network

The DEC Network To Hold 11th Annual State of Entrepreneurship Event Jan. 29 at SMU

by | Jan 20, 2026
The State of Entrepreneurship brings together industry leaders and founders for an evening of insight, inspiration, connection. and awards presentations. Attendees will explore emerging trends, address key challenges facing entrepreneurs today, and discover new opportunities shaping North Texas’s startup ecosystem, The DEC Network said.
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The Last Word: North Texas Financial Exec Breaks Down the AI Track at DFW Startup Week
Everyone’s talking about AI. But what do companies actually need to hear? Here’s what one veteran exec thinks startups and leaders really need to focus on—straight from the front lines at DSW25.
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Raise A Hood and Metrolla took top prizes in Capital One's 2024 Accelerator Pitch at Dallas Startup Week in August.
Capital One Accelerator Program Fuels Founders to Drive the Future of Mobility
by | Sep 12, 2024
The Capital One program — one of few mobility-focused accelerators in the country — empowers visionary founders to enhance their startup expertise, expand their networks, and attract investors. The latest cohort wrapped up with standout pitches and notable wins.
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Dallas Female Founders Driving Change in Chronic Pain Care, Red Light Therapy, and Mental Wellness
by | Aug 26, 2024
Meet three founders channeling their experiences into shaping the future of healthcare innovation, from psychedelics to AI-driven mental wellness. For serial founder Sunny Nadolsky, the startup journey after an exit is like childbirth—first declaring 'never again,' only to think about having another 'baby' a year later.
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The Last Word: IOOGO’s Kristy Alballero On the ‘ALL-Women’ Award Winners at The DEC Network’s State of Entrepreneurship 2024

Today is International Women's Day, and many women entrepreneurs across North Texas are still basking in the glow of something that happened Thursday night: As Alballero said in her post, The DEC Network's 2024 State of Entrepreneurship event featured an all-star cast of women among its entrepreneur award winners.
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The DEC Network’s State of Entrepreneurship Award Nominees Announced, Vote Now
From startup evangelists to rising founders to investors fueling growth, The DEC Network's State of Entrepreneurship event and awards recognize key contributors driving DFW’s dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem. See the nominees across 9 compelling categories—and vote now for who you believe should win.
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Bank of America Supercharges The DEC Network Mission with $120K for Entrepreneurs of Color Fund
Formally known as the Entrepreneur of Color Credit Enhancement Fund, the program will provide loan guarantees and loan-readiness assistance to growth-oriented businesses.
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The Last Word: GEW North Texas on This Week’s Region-Wide Entrepreneurship Event
by | Nov 14, 2023
GEW North Texas—which kicked off Monday and runs through Sunday November 19—is part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, held in cities worldwide one week each November. The movement aims to inspire entrepreneurs around the globe while fostering connections and increasing collaboration within their ecosystems.
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Dallas Startup Week 2023: Where Big Names and Big Ideas Power North Texas Entrepreneurs

by | Sep 6, 2023
The DEC Networks' eighth Dallas Startup Week, hosted at UNT Frisco from September 10-14, features entrepreneur and Hall of Famer Troy Aikman, AOL's Steve Case, Nextdoor Co-founder Nirav Tolia, rapper-turned-investor Chamillionaire, and BuzzBallz CEO Merrilee Kick among its 200 speakers and 100 events.
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The Last Word: Holy Rollie Pastry’s Kimberly Matthews Has Advice for Founders
by | Aug 14, 2023
Williams is one of four North Texas entrepreneurs we profiled last week who got funding through The DEC Network from the Small Business Administration's Community Navigator Pilot Program. 
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SBA Chief in Dallas: ‘We Are Becoming the Startup Nation’
by | Aug 9, 2023
Since January 2021, a record 12.2 million new business applications have been filed nationwide—with Texas alone contributing 1.1 million. Speaking at a Dallas event, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman emphasized ongoing efforts to support Americans in realizing their entrepreneurial dreams.
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From left: Ezi Negus, Okigwe Creations; Greer Christian, PureNRG Cycle; Awah Chai, Offworld Coffee; Kimberly Matthews, Holy Rollie Pastry Shop; and moderator Tarsha Hearns, The DEC Network. [Photo: The DEC Network]
Meet Four North Texas Entrepreneurs Who Navigated to Success With SBA’s Community Pilot Program
by | Aug 9, 2023
At the recent Entrepreneur Showcase in Dallas, four emerging startups were spotlighted alongside Biden Cabinet Member Isabella Casillas Guzman, who leads the Small Business Administration, and Mark Madrid, the driving force behind SBA's Office of Entrepreneurial Development. “I feel like I’ve just been to a TED talk with these entrepreneurs' words of wisdom,” Madrid said at the event powered by Dallas College and The DEC Network.
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The DEC Network Ventures West for Fort Worth Entrepreneurship Center

by | May 22, 2023
The Fort Worth Local Development Corp. approved $500,000 over two years to create the Fort Worth Entrepreneurship Center. The center will be operated by The DEC Network in the city's Near Southside neighborhood, according to the Fort Worth Report.
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Techstars Startup Weekend Dallas Returns: A Dive into Emerging Tech for Diverse Entrepreneurs

The DEC Network is excited to host the Dallas return of Techstars Startup Weekend, a three-day program that immerses aspiring entrepreneurs in the world of startups....

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Grammy-Winning Rapper and Entrepreneur ‘Killer Mike’ to Speak at The DEC Network’s State of Entrepreneurship Event
by | Mar 14, 2023
The DEC Network, which marks its 10th anniversary this year, is gearing up for its 2023 State of Entrepreneurship event—the first-ever in Frisco. Dubbed 'the Super Bowl for Entrepreneurs' in North Texas, the annual gathering brings together game-changing startups and innovative business leaders.
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The DEC Network Adds Seven New Members To Its Board, Announces Awards
by | Feb 10, 2023

Seven new members of the Dallas Entrepreneur Center’s fiduciary board were announced by The DEC Network Board Chair Tim Hill.

The nonprofit said that the new members bring a wealth of experience and knowledge in various industries and will be instrumental in helping it achieve its mission of helping entrepreneurs start, build, and grow their businesses....

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