It’s been a big year so far for North Texas, especially when it comes to innovation.

As we wrapped up June, we decided to reflect on the stories behind the people and places that had been grabbing our readers’ attention. From tech developments (Google’s Midlothian data center), to funding announcements (Hypergiant, Alkami), to new hubs (Richardson’s innovation district), our most popular stories certainly highlighted what’s new and next in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Here’s a roundup of our top 10 most-read stories on dallasinnovates.com for the month of June.

10. Google Boosts its Texas Investments With a New $600M Midlothian Data Center

In coordination with the announcement, Google also said it is giving the Midlothian Independent School District a $100,000 grant for the development of STEM programs in schools. And, it’s leasing additional office space in Austin.

Google executives and North Texans gathered in Midlothian on Friday to kick-off construction of the new data center. [Photo: Dallas Innovates]

9. Capital Factory’s Texas Startups Roadshow Kicks Off in Dallas

The inaugural J.P. Morgan Texas Startups Roadshow began its statewide journey across the “most vibrant startup ecosystem in the country” today. Entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors gathered to begin the journey from Dallas to Houston to Austin and San Antonio. Here’s how it went.

The goal of the trip is to get investors spending time with other investors. Pictured is Kurt Davis with Sunrise Ventures (left) and Insight Venture Partners’ Howard Xu. [Photo: Quincy Preston]

8. Hypergiant Industries Gains Funding from Sumitomo Corp. of Americas, Perot Jain

The funding comes roughly a year after Hypergiant launched out of stealth—a year filled with growing revenue (eight figures in the first 12 months), A-list partnerships (Microsoft, Adobe, SAP, Booz Allen, Nvidia), and launching three separate businesses under the parent company. Recently, Hypergiant was a winner of EY’s Entrepreneur Of The Year 2019 Southwest Award for Technology Innovator.

Ben Lamm [Photo: Courtesy Hypergiant Industries]

7. Mayor’s Star Council Announces Leaders and Members for 2019-20 Class

The diverse group of leaders and members work alongside the mayor of Dallas on projects that reflect priorities established by the mayor in eight areas of concern.

[Collage: India Edwards]

6. Fintech Alkami Technology Raises $55M in Series E Funding Round

The fast-growing Plano-based company, which last year raised $70 million in a Series D round, has used its funding to invest in innovation, people, and services.

Alkami Technology nearly doubled its headquarters space last year at Granite Park in Plano, shown here. [Photo: Courtesy Alkami Technology]

5. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Piloting Robotic Baggage Transfer System

The first-of-its kind robotic system, which can handle almost 450 bags an hour, is being tested with transfer passengers who arrive from international flights and connect through DFW.

[Illustration: ARTUR/iStockphoto]

4. Two North Texans Made the Forbes List of America’s Richest Self-Made Women

Meet the women from Dallas and Aubrey who were two of 80 to make Forbes’ 2019 ranking: Poo~Pourri’s Suzy Batiz and M1 Support Services’ Kathleen Hildreth.

[Photo: Elizabeth Lavin/D CEO]

3. Hedera Hashgraph to Move Global Headquarters to Richardson’s Telecom Corridor

Next-gen DLT developer Hedera Hashgraph has leased over 11,000 square feet at Richardson’s 3400 at CityLine to house its global headquarters. The office is slated to open by fall 2019, and will join other Hedera offices in New York City and San Francisco.

3400 at CityLine [Photo: Courtesy Hedera Hashgraph]

2. 5 Dallas Architecture Firms Unveil Futuristic Uber Skyport Designs

Dallas is one of three cities that will be test markets for the air taxi program planned by Uber Elevate to begin in 2023.

Humphreys and Partners Architects introduced two skyport concepts named “Volary.” The downtown design is a seven-story parking garage retrofit with a facade of acoustic panels and kinetic shingles that react to the environment. [Photo: Courtesy Humphreys & Partners Architects]