About DFW Startup Week
DFW Startup Week (DSW) is The DEC Network’s largest, premiere event for DFW small business owners and entrepreneurs. Sponsored by Capital One, the program includes a five day celebration that builds momentum and opportunity around entrepreneurship and innovation. DSW began in 2015 (11th Annual Event) with the goal of orchestrating an entire week of entrepreneurial activities that equip, encourage, and educate the North Texas Entrepreneurial Ecosystem. DSW was also created to help increase the awareness and impact of the entrepreneurial community across North Texas
Register HERE to attend!
Disrupt Dallas
Keynote
Speaker:
MEGHA TOLIA
Megha Tolia is a seasoned business leader with more than two decades of experience building and scaling purpose-driven consumer brands and media companies. She most recently served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Shondaland, the award-winning television production company founded by Shonda Rhimes, creator of acclaimed series including Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and Bridgerton. Today, Megha serves as a Global Ambassador for the Spears Institute.
Marketing and Branding Track
Dev'N M. Goodman
Founder and Community Curator of A Good Man’s Education, a community hub created to connect individuals to entrepreneurs and changemakers through events that center education, culture, and a good time
Benny Kounlavouth
Founder of Ascendo Social, a social media agency based in the DFW to help local businesses grow their online presence through social media management, video content, branding and digital strategy
Monique Segovia
CEO of The Brown Thumb, a space rooted in growth, connection, and authenticity
Terika Dilworth
Business Operations Strategist and Founder of Legacy Bloom LLC, where she works with monetized creators to remove themselves as the bottleneck in their own businesses .
Grace Griffith
As co-owner of Griffith Media, a Dallas-based video production and content studio, she helps brands close that gap — because human connection design is what sets companies apart, and video is the tool that drives it best.
Addie Hughen
She has her own business, The Arch Social, a performance-driven, strategic-agency serving clients nationwide.
Briana Wucinski
Founder of SUNSEV Creative, a groovy, strategy-forward branding and marketing consultancy that helps entrepreneurs build brands with clarity, consistency, and soul.
TyDerrica Scott
Founder of Kinkle Co, a haircare brand focused on helping people with alopecia and hair loss regain confidence, while also building a strong platform centered around plus-size fashion, branding, and entrepreneurship.
Jacob Steed
Founder of Steed Films, a Fort Worth-based video production agency that helps brands communicate with more clarity, trust, and emotional impact.
Founder Wellness Track
Dr. Ravyn Cotton
Founded IASOTO Chiropractic Wellness Center to create a more intentional, patient-centered care experience focused on long-term results. She is also the founder of Artistry in Alignment, a nonprofit providing complimentary care to dancers.
Dr. JuNene K.
Founder of Muhimu Oils Wellness Center and creator of I AM the Capital Movement. A Holistic Health Practitioner, Emotional Mastery Specialist and Wellness Educator redefining what emotional regulation looks like for leaders.
Curtis Smith
Founder of Moment of Mindfulness LLC, a mindfulness education and performance company committed to empowering individuals, organizations, and communities through transformative wellness experiences.
Corporate
Startup
Innovation
Summit Keynote
Speaker:
MARISA BERTHA
Marisa Bertha is Chief Strategy Officer at Liquid Death, one of the fastest-growing non-alcoholic beverage brands. Since joining the company in 2022, she has led growth initiatives across sales, retail distribution, new product categories, fundraising, and investor relations, helping the company raise more than $150 million and reach a $1.4 billion valuation.
Marisa began her career at Deloitte Consulting, advising Fortune 500 clients across the retail and technology, media, and telecommunications sectors.
Loan Readiness Track
Christe Johnson
With a background in corporate accounting and experience working with Fortune 500 companies, Christe brings both real-world business insight and financial expertise to the entrepreneurs she serves.
Ronnie Green
Co-Founder & CEO — 3x founder operator with firsthand 11 years of experience in investing, brokerage, and investing product experience. product vision and enterprise sales
Caleb Ostrander
Caleb is the CDFI Program Manager for CAMEO Network. With over eight years of experience supporting small business owners through coaching and education, including six years internationally, Caleb has seen the impact of connecting entrepreneurs with the resources they need to thrive.
Amanda Brawner
Vice President and Business Banking Relationship Manager and Lender with 20 years of banking experience, including the last 10 years dedicated working closely with business owners.
Tassjania Lozano Grate
With more than 15 years of experience advancing equity, economic opportunity, and community impact, she is passionate about connecting underserved entrepreneurs and communities with the resources, capital, and support they need to thrive.
Larshá Thomas
SouthState Bank’s Vice President of Community Development for the North Texas region. With 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, Larshá is versed in small business and consumer lending, business development, non-profit outreach, and financial regulatory practices.
Ericka Hersh
VP Business Development Officer for LiftFund, a Community Development Financial Institution.
Tracy Irby
Award-winning entrepreneur and Director of the Texas Woman’s University Center for Women Entrepreneurs
Melissa Keeling
PNC Branch Manager II (DMLO) supporting the Cleburne & Hulen Bellair market, where she leads teams in executing strong sales, service, and operational standards.
CPG + Retail
Summit
Keynote
Speaker:
Daniel Lubetzsky
Daniel Lubetzsky founded KIND Snacks to promote healthy snacking. Daniel is a full-time shark on Shark Tank and is a New York Times bestselling author. In 2015, President Obama named him a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship. He is committed to promoting a kinder and healthier world.
SMU Entrepreneurship Track
Josh Taylor
Executive Director of the SMU Cox William S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership. He has led large strategy & transformation change efforts and been at the forefront of consumer and technology start-up trends as an operator, advisor, and investor for the past decade.
Dr. Emily Choi
Executive Director of the SMU Cox Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship and Professor of Practice in Management, Strategy and Entrepreneurship at the SMU Cox School of Business.
Bhavna Kumar
Head of Accelerator at the SMU Cox William S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership. She has 18 years of experience in accelerator operations, product management, international strategy, business development and FP&A within the Technology, Financial Services and CPG industries.
Dr. Mahesh Krishnamurthy
Co-Executive Director of the Hart Institute for Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at SMU where he is also the Vin and Caren Prothro Department Chair and Professor of Electrical Engineering.
Dr. Jennifer Ebinger
Executive Director of the Office of Engaged Learning at SMU, where she leads initiatives that connect research, entrepreneurship, and experiential learning across the university.
Trey Bowles
Dallas-based entrepreneur who, after helping build the DEC Network, has focused his recent work on advising, investing in, and launching early-stage ventures.
Jim Hart
Director of Social Innovation, Creative, and Arts Entrepreneurship at SMU and designs transformative programs that empower students to combine artistic vision with entrepreneurial strategy to drive meaningful change.
AI + Tech
Summit
Keynote Speaker:
Ben Lamm
Ben Lamm is the co-founder and CEO of Colossal Biosciences, a groundbreaking de-extinction company utilizing advancd CRISPR gene-editing technologies to protect ecosystems and ressurect lost species like the wooly mammoth. He is a serial tech entrepreneur with five successful exits and a passion for science, AI, and the planet.
Legal + Accounting Track
Kevin Vela
Managing Partner at Vela Wood. In recent years, he has represented both startups and investors in over 500 venture financing transactions representing over $750M in funding. He is also a Texas Bar Foundation Fellow, an honor granted to ⅓ of 1% of Texas attorneys.
Keith Davidson
Dallas Market Leader at CliftonLarsonAllen. Previously, he was the Managing Principal of the office, as well as the leader of CLA’s outsourced CFO and accounting practice for technology and venture startups.
Healthcare Track
Kaitlyn Moser
Seasoned leader in diagnostics and life sciences dedicated to translating innovative research into patient-centric solutions. She has played a vital role in securing early-stage funding for startups, establishing robust clinical programs, and expertly navigating the complex processes of obtaining regulatory approvals and reimbursement for novel sciences.
Dr. David. E. Snow
Executive Director of Pegasus Park in Dallas and previously held senior roles at the University of Arkansas and Texas Tech University, overseeing technology transfer, corporate engagement, and research park operations.
Jovelyn Castellanos
As Chief Strategy and Public Affairs Officer at Health Wildcatters, she leads ecosystem-building initiatives that position North Texas as a growing hub for health innovation
John Diaz
John founded Stone Mountain Ventures in 2021. Before launching the firm, he worked at Bain Capital Private Equity as an Associate within the Healthcare group and gained deep insight to how large scale companies operate and the levers that are pulled for growth and efficiency, while improving patient outcomes.
Kris Klein
CEO and Co-Founder of Pollen Sense, a technology company dedicated to making the air we breathe more transparent through its global data infrastructure platform. Under Kris's leadership, Pollen Sense has partnered with major brands like Microsoft, NOAA and Procter & Gamble to help millions better manage their respiratory health and mitigate risk in occupational settings. .
Paul Evans
Founder and CEO of Pathi Health, an AI-powered cancer patient navigation platform that gives patients a personalized guide from diagnosis through survivorship. He is also an author and educator, focusing on teaching the next generation of entrepreneurs how to build in the new age of AI.
Dr. C. Vivek Lal, MD, FAAP
Founder of Biostack Ventures, Founder and CEO of resbiotic®, Founder and Executive Chairman of Alveolus Bio, and Founder of Able BioLabs. He is a double-board-certified physician, NIH-funded scientist, and serial entrepreneur with deep expertise in translating scientific discovery into clinically meaningful healthcare solutions.
August 2026
MONDAY – AUGUST 3
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Benny Kounlavouth, Briana Wucinski, Grace Griffith, Jacob Steed – In the Age of Video: What Actually Works
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Dr. Junene K – The Founder’s Brain: Why Founder Nervous Systems Determine Business Outcomes
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Addie Hughen – Build Your Content Engine
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Curtis Smith – The Founder’s Breath: Regulating Energy, Stress, and Focus Through Breath
01:00 PM – 02:00 PM: Monique Segovia, Dev’n M. Goodman, TyDerrica Scott, Terika Dilworth – Inside the Creator Economy: AMA
01:00 PM – 02:00 PM: Dr. Ravyn Cotton – The Founder’s Body: Musculoskeletal Health for Sustainable Capacity and Performance
02:15 PM – 03:10 PM: Megha Tolia, Moderator: Kyle Waldrep – From Outside to Industry Leader
TUESDAY – AUGUST 4
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Caleb Ostrander, Christie Johnson – Founder Foundations: Building Financial & Mindset Readiness
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Michael Chavez, Amanda Brawner, Larsha Thomas – Pitch With Purpose: Communicating Your Business for Capital
01:00 PM – 02:00 PM: Erika Hersh, Tracy Irby, Melissa Keeling – Funding Forward: Navigating Your Capital Options
WEDNESDAY – AUGUST 5
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Josh Taylor, Bhavna Kumar – SMU Cox Spears LAUNCH Accelerator Founder Session
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Trey Bowles, Jim Hart – Social Impact at SMU
01:00 PM – 02:00 PM: Josh Taylor, Emily Choi, Bhavna Kumar, Mahesh Krishnamurthy, Jen Ebinger – Entrepreneurship at SMU
02:45 PM – 03:30 PM: Andrea Rideout, Cecilia Murrieta, Rikki Kelly, Moderator: Jenica – From Idea to Shelf — What “Retail-Ready” Actually Means
03:40 PM – 04:25 PM: Crystal Royal, Amy Collins, Moderator: Jenica Oliver – Getting In — How Brands Land Their First Retail Accounts
04:35 PM – 05:20 PM: Marisa Bertha, Moderator: Target Rep – Scaling Smart — Expanding Without Breaking the Business
05:30 PM – 06:30 PM: Daniel Lubetsky – From OR to AND — Unlocking Enduring Innovation
THURSDAY – AUGUST 6
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Kevin Vela – Startup Legal in an AI World
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: David Snow – DFW Healthcare Ecosystem
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: Keith Davidson – Startup Finance 101: Cash, Taxes, and Financial Decisions You Can’t Ignore
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: John Diaz – DFW Healthcare Investment Panel
01:00 PM – 02:00 PM: Paul Evans, Dr. Vivek Lal, Kris Klein – Lessons Learned from Startup Founders
Startup Alley is an exhibit that takes place at the Official Launch Party on Monday, August 3. Take time to check out some of the hottest local startups and small businesses as they exhibit their products and services. You will get to interact and ask questions directly to the founders as you walk from one booth to the next at the SMU Cox School of Business.
Startup Alley Vendor Applications Close July 1st at 11:00 PM CT!
APPLY HERE
Founders Marketplace will take place on Wednesday, August 5th during the CPG and Retail Summit from 6:00 – 8:00 PM in the Collins Center at the SMU Cox School of Business.
