DFW Startup Week 2026 Schedule
MONDAY – AUGUST 3
Welcome to SMU (Crum Auditorium)
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Marketing and Branding Track sponsored by Southern Dallas Magazine (Classroom 100)
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- In the Age of Video: What Actually Works
- Benny Kounlavouth, Ascendo Social
- Briana Wucinski, SUNSEV Creative
- Grace Griffith, Griffith Media
- Jacob Steed, Steed Films
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- Build Your Content Engine
- Addie Hughen, The Arch Social
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- Inside the Creator Economy: AMA
- Monique Segovia, The Brown Thumb
- Dev’n M. Goodman, A Good Man’s Education
- TyDerrica Scott, Kinkle Co.
- Terika Dilworth, Legacy Bloom LLC
Founder Wellness Track sponsored by Southstate (Classroom 120)
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- The Founder’s Brain: Why Founder Nervous Systems Determine Business Outcomes
- Dr. Junene K., Muhimu Oils Wellness Center | I AM Capital Movement
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- The Founder’s Breath: Regulating Energy, Stress, and Focus Through Breath
- Curtis Smith, Moment of Mildfulness LLC
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- The Founder’s Body: Musculoskeletal Health for Sustainable Capacity and Performance
- Dr. Ravyn Cotton, IASOTO Chiropractic Wellness Center | Artistry in Alignment
Disrupt Dallas Summit sponsored by Charles Schwab Bank (Crum Auditorium)
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Keynote — From Outside to Industry Leader
- Megha Tolia, SMU Cox Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership
- Moderated by: Kyle Waldrep, Intersections Podcast
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM
- Beyond the Court: Building Community Through Business
- Jasmine Ohen, Women in Dallas
- LaDondra Wilson, Dallas Wings
- Tiffany Lewis, TJL Collection
- Paden Sickles, SickFit
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
- Capital, Coaching & Community for Justice – Impacted Entrepreneurs
- Bryan Robert, Entre Capital
- Aaron Smith, Escape the Odds | U-Turn Transport
- Frances Smith-Dean, Zan Wesley Homes Jr. Outreach Center
- Varonika Wilson, BOSOE | The Urban Specialists
- Moderated by: Charae Tucker, Entre Capital
5:45 PM – 6:45 PM
- Special Session With Amazon
- Moderated by: Shaina Ross, Amazon
EXPO
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Startup Alley and Happy Hour sponsored by TriNet
- Startup Alley is a one-stop resource hub where entrepreneurs can connect with business support organizations, lenders, accelerators, corporate partners, and service providers dedicated to helping startups launch, grow, and succeed.
TUESDAY – AUGUST 4
Trades Industry Panel and Breakfast sponsored by Capital One
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
- Sunny Karassik, VP at Capital One
- Santiago Ramirez, Service Director at Grapevine Dodge
- Erich Broksas, COO at Builders & Backers
- Brenden Mesch, Campus Provost of Technical Campus at Collin College
- Jeffrey Gaskill, Director of Education and Business Development at Snap-on
- Join us for an inspiring morning at the Trades Industry Panel & Breakfast, where we’ll dive into how the skilled trades are becoming America’s next great entrepreneurial frontier! Over a complimentary breakfast and networking session, you’ll connect with fellow innovators while viewing featured local builder profiles. Afterwards, hear directly from industry leaders during our main panel, “The Next Generation of Trade Entrepreneurs,” as they discuss how AI modernization, high demand, and shifting business ownership are reshaping the trades. You’ll also catch the fast-paced “North Texas Builder Showcase”—where local builders pitch their ventures in just 60 seconds—and stick around to celebrate the winners of the Builder Growth Awards. Come discover why the future of the trades isn’t just about learning a skill—it’s about owning the business.
Loan Readiness Track sponsored by First Citizens Bank (Classroom 100)
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Founder Foundations: Building Financial & Mindset Readiness
- Caleb Ostrander, Cameo Network
- Christe Johnson, Johnson Tax
- Ronnie Green, AlgoPear
- Todd Adams, Impact Ventures
- Moderated by: C.J. Graves, First Citizens Bank
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- Pitch With Purpose: Communicating Your Business for Capital
- Michael Chavez, KinSpired Goal Setters LLC
- Amanda Brawner, Bank OZK
- Larshá Thomas, Southstate Bank
- Tassjania Lozano Grate, Dreamspring
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- Funding Forward: Navigating Your Capital Options
- Erika Hersh, LiftFund
- Tracy Irby, Texas Women’s University
- Melissa Keeling-Treppa, PNC Bank
- Jose Cuellar, Amegy Bank
SMU Entrepreneurship Track sponsored by SMU Cox Spears Institute (Classroom 120)
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- SMU Cox Spears LAUNCH Accelerator Founder Session
- Josh Taylor, SMU Cox William S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership
- Bhavna Kumar, SMU Cox William S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- Social Impact at SMU
- Trey Bowles, SMU Impact Lab
- Jim Hart, SMU
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- Entrepreneurship at SMU
- Josh Taylor, SMU Cox William S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership
- Dr. Emily Choi, SMU Cox Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship
- Cristal Mendez, SMU Cox William S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership
- Dr. Mahesh Krishnamurthy, The Hart Institute for Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship at SMU
- Dr. Jennifer Ebinger, The Office of Engaged Learning at SMU
Corporate Startup Innovation Summit sponsored by Capital One (Crum Auditorium)
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
- Introduction Keynote — The Future of Connected Cars
- John Ellis, Codethink
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Capital One Mobility Accelerator Pitch Finals
- Capital One Mobility Accelerator Finalists
4:35 PM – 5:15 PM
- The “Ultra-Lean” Era: How AI Introduction is Rewriting the Rules of Startup Capital
- Julian Van Giessen, Capital One
- David Evans, Sentiero Ventures
- Raja Doddala, Dallas Venture Capital
- James Wang, Mimosa Ventures
5:20 PM – 5:40 PM
- Capital One Mobility Accelerator Pitch Awards
EXPO
5:45 PM – 7:30 PM
- Corporate Startup Innovation Summit Happy Hour sponsored by Capital One
- Wrap up an inspiring day of conversations at the Corporate Startup Innovation Summit by networking with founders, corporate innovators, investors, and ecosystem leaders. Enjoy refreshments while building meaningful connections that spark new partnerships and future opportunities.
WEDNESDAY – AUGUST 5
Venture Capital Track sponsored by McKinney Innovation Exchange (Classroom 100)
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- From Pitch to Portfolio: How Angels Actually Make Decisions
- Ichan Stall, North Texas Angel Network (NTAN)
- Mike Wilkes, North Texas Angel Network (NTAN)
- Trey Bowles, 1845 Ventures
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Texas Venture Trends
- Kevin Vela, Vela Wood
- Sammy Abdoulah, Blossom Street Ventures
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
- From Startup to Stock Exchange
- Erik Andersen, Toronto Stock Exchange
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- McKinney Innovation Fund: Up to $500k in Non-dilutive Funding
- Troy Billett, McKinney EDC
The Startup Go to Market Operating System Track sponsored by Glowbox by Contollo (Classroom 120)
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- The 5 Pillars of a Successful GTM Strategy
- Javiera Avilez, Glowbox by Contollo
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- The Art of Relevance
- Alexander Latino, Glowbox by Contollo
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- From Segmentation to Revenue
- Isaac Carter, GlowBox by Contollo
CPG and Retail Summit sponsored by Target (Crum Auditorium)
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
- Session 1 — Building For Success In Retail: A Target Perspective
- Shequeita Orr Frazier, Target
2:45 PM – 3:30 PM
- Session 2 — From Idea to Shelf: What “Retail-Ready” Actually Means
- Andrea Rideout, White Rock Granola
- Cecilia Murrieta, Jas Drinks
- Rikki Kelly, Ego Tequila
- Moderated by: Abby Richards, The CPG CFO
3:40 PM – 4:25 PM
- Session 3 — Getting In: How Brands Land Their First Retail Accounts
- Crystal Royal, H-E-B
- Amy Collins, RoRo’s Baking Company
- Jared Drinkwater, Low & Slow Snacks
- Jessica Taylor, Ezra Coffee Company
- Moderated by: Jenica Oliver, blueprint marketing group, llc
4:35 PM – 5:20 PM
- Session 4 — Scaling Smart: Expanding Without Breaking the Business
- Jeff Richards, Mooala
- Elyse Dickerson, Eosera
- Moderated by: Angie Neas, Justworks
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
- Closing Keynote — From OR to AND: Unlocking Enduring Innovation
- Daniel Lubetzky, KIND Snacks | Shark Tank
- Moderated by: Shequeita Orr Frazier, Target
EXPO
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Founder’s Marketplace and Happy Hour sponsored by Ego Tequila
- A curated marketplace featuring consumer brands and local entrepreneurs selling products ranging from food and beverages to fashion, beauty, and lifestyle goods. Meet the founders, shop small, and support the businesses shaping the future of DFW.
THURSDAY – AUGUST 6
Legal & Accounting Track sponsored by CLA (Classroom 100)
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Startup Legal in an AI World
- Kevin Vela, Vela Wood
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- Startup Finance 101: Cash, Taxes, and Financial Decisions You Can’t Ignore
- Keith Davidson, CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA)
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- Fundraising Fundamentals
- Kevin Vela, Vela Wood
Healthcare Innovation Track sponsored by Health Wildcatters (Classroom 120)
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- DFW Healthcare Ecosystem
- Jovelyn Castellanos Dominguez, Health Wildcatters
- Kaitlynn Moser, UT Southwestern
- Dr. David Snow, Pegasus Park
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- DFW Healthcare Investment Panel
- Eric Bennett, Brain Capital Partners | Brain Superfund
- John Diaz, Stone Mountain Ventures
- Scott Wilson, Beyond Capital Funds
- Hubert Zajicek,. Health Wildcatters
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- Lessons Learned from Startup Founders
- Paul Evans, Pathi Health
- Dr. Vivek Lal, Biostack Ventures
- Kris Klein, Pollen Sense
AI & Tech Summit sponsored by Justworks (Crum Auditorium)
2:15 PM – 3:00 PM
- Practical AI: What Small Businesses Need to Know
- Keith Davidson, CLA
- Dan Sinawat, AI Connex | VC Arena
- Vijay Ram, Consolidate Health
- Moderated by: Angie Neas, Justworks
3:10 PM – 4:00 PM
- WeDallas: Women Shaping the Future of AI
- Karen Stroup, WEX
- Colby Jones, formerly with LTK
- Kelly Dowd, AT&T
- Melody Ayeli, Toyota
4:10 PM – 4:55 PM
- Beyond the Buzzwords: How Businesses Are Implementing AI
- Farhan Hussain, Leon Capital Group
- Kevin Scott, PGA
- Mike Yonker, AT&T
- Moderated by: Bruno Rodrigues, Atlas Reforged Consulting
5:05 PM – 06:00 PM
- Keynote — Bringing Back the Mammoth: Innovation at the Intersection of AI and Synthetic Biology
- Ben Lamm, Colossal Biosciences
- Moderated by: Trey Bowles, 1845 Ventures
