The DEC Is Relaunching the North Texas Angel Network

A new strategic and operational partnership will accelerate startup growth and increase investor funding, the organizations say.

Two leading organizations for startups in the region—The DEC Network and the North Texas Angel Network (NTAN)—have formalized a strategic partnership that will connect vetted entrepreneurs looking for funding with angel investors seeking quality deals.

The deal is a culmination of a long-discussed collaboration. It’s a strategic and operational partnership that will spur innovation, deal flow, and company launches and exits in North Texas, the organizations say.

“The coming together of the DEC Network and NTAN makes an important partnership that will provide necessary continuity between helping build fundable companies and finding quality deal flow for angel investors,” The DEC Chairman Trey Bowles told Dallas Innovates. “With last year’s 20-year high of more than $1.1B going into early-stage companies in DFW, there has never been a better time for investors to engage in the North Texas entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

Bowles says bringing NTAN and The DEC Network together combines two leaders in North Texas with one goal: providing funding for startup companies.

“This aligns exactly with Mayor Johnson’s release of the Task Force on Innovation and Entrepreneurship Report reiterating his commitment to helping Dallas to continue to become a leading hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in the country,” Bowles said.

The North Texas Angel Network has unveiled a new logo. [Image via The DEC]

Bill Chinn, CEO of The DEC Network, says the partnership with NTAN will open doors to angel funding sources for entrepreneurs, introduce startups to a valuable network, and offer leadership and operational support.

The organizations will continue to exist as separate entities, but will together work to attract entrepreneurs and angel investors more efficiently and effectively via strategic, revenue, operational, and marketing elements, he notes.

NTAN, an accredited angel investor membership organization, says its individual investors have pumped more than $10M into startups, primarily in North Texas. Notable investments totaling more than $1 million each from NTAN members include Natural Dental Implants, Tella Firma, Ikonopedia, and Vital Arts & Science.

How it works

NTAN identifies and screens applicant, entrepreneur-led companies looking for startup seed or growth capital. Interested members collaborate on due diligence and individually provide capital to selected opportunities. The angel group acts as a facilitator and does not provide investment advice to members.

“NTAN exists to present quality, early-stage investment opportunities to our membership and to nurture active angel investing in our region overall,” says NTAN Board Co-Chair Chris Wilkes said in a statement. “By aligning with The DEC Network, we’ll more rapidly tap into opportunities and increase our visibility,”

Wilkes, who is also a member of The DEC Network board, sees the potential for leveraging The DEC’s operational excellence. It “allows our members to increase focus on evaluating and investing in strong founders and ideas vs. running day-to-day operational roles.”

Will Akins has been named NTAN Director of Operations.

TTAN merged with NTAN

Earlier this year, the Tyler Texas Angel Network (TTAN) merged its organization into NTAN. It was a significant move in the pandemic, as deal flow was facilitated by a move to virtual presentation formats that could better enable shared opportunities across North Texas and beyond. The DEC Network intends to continue with meeting formats in a hybrid manner to provide the most flexibility to meet the needs of entrepreneurs and investors.

The DEC is an innovation hub for founders that has helped start, build, and grow businesses since 2013.

Quincy Preston contributed to this report.

Get on the list.
Dallas Innovates, every day.

Sign up to keep your eye on what’s new and next in Dallas-Fort Worth, every day.

One quick signup, and you’re done.
View previous emails.

 

R E A D   N E X T

  • BUiLT, nonprofit, Texas, North Texas, Dallas, Dallas-Fort Worth, DFW, Black talent, Black tech talent, Texas talent, North Texas talent, Dallas talent, Dallas-Fort Worth talent, DFW talent, talent attraction, Texas tech talent, North Texas tech talent, Dallas tech talent, Dallas-Fort Worth tech talent, DFW tech talent, Texas business, North Texas business, Dallas business, Dallas-Fort Worth business, DFW business, Texas nonprofit, North Texas nonprofit, Dallas nonprofit, Dallas-Fort Worth nonprofit, DFW nonprofit, symposium, symposia, non-profit, nonprofit, nonprofits, non-profits, cybersecurity, cyber security, north-texas, expo, vice president, Texas symposium, North Texas symposium, Dallas symposium, Dallas-Fort Worth symposium, DFW symposium,

    Nonprofit BUiLT is hosting the event to highlight the success and possibilities of Black tech talent in the region. “There is no talent pipeline problem,” says Peter Beasley, co-founder of the Blacks United in Leading Technology International. “Black tech talent is widely available, especially in North Texas.”

  • Women entrepreneurs—especially those in the tech world—have something to keep them warm at home Thursday during tomorrow's winter storm: The DEC Network’s inaugural, all-virtual Women X Tech event, from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., is designed to help women founders from all tech industries connect, learn, and grow their businesses.

  • The NTXIA is a founding member of the new National Smart Coalitions Partnership, now one of the largest smart cities networks in the country. The organization unites more than 100 governments across seven regional smart cities consortiums. The goal? To accelerate sustainability and resilience in communities.

  • The U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, which passed in May, has the power to develop 20 tech hubs throughout the United States. According to Tech Titans' CEO Bill Sproull, Dallas-Fort Worth could be a strong contender for one of those spots.

  • Dr. Justin Lonon, vice chancellor of Dallas College, addresses the crowd at the recent Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Dallas Graduation. [Photo: 10KSB]

    “There’s no one tougher and stronger than DFW small business owners," U.S. Representative Marc Veasey said at the event honoring the North Texas graduates. Here's the list of the 105 graduates and a rundown of the event. 10,000 Small Businesses also released insights from a recent research report. The survey says, among other findings, adaptation will be key to survival.