DFW Startup Week turns 10 with nearly 300 speakers in Dallas

DFW Startup Week 2025 opens Sunday, Aug. 3, and runs through Thursday, Aug. 7, with Basecamp at Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business in Dallas. Dallas Innovates says the event is marking its 10th anniversary and describes it as the nation’s second-largest startup week.

Dallas Innovates says general admission is free, nearly 300 speakers are scheduled and the program includes summits, workshops, pitch competitions, networking happy hours and mentorship sessions.

The guide says DFW Startup Week, formerly known as Dallas Startup Week, is hosted by The DEC Network and presented by Capital One. It says the week begins with community events in Dallas, Fort Worth, Richardson and Plano, then centers on programming at SMU’s Cox School of Business at 6214 Bishop Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75275.

The article lists five main content tracks: AI, capital access, entrepreneurship leadership, marketing and brand strategy, healthcare, and venture and capital formation. Named track leaders include Bill Cockerill, Dan Sinawat, Rashmi Varma and Ruchi Prasad for the AI track; Josh Taylor and Morganne Stewart for leadership; Spencer Traver for marketing and brand; Lindsey Settles and Hubert Zajicek for healthcare; and Mike Wilkes for venture and capital formation.

Dallas Innovates also highlights four signature summits. Cedric Nash is set to headline the Disrupt Dallas Summit on Monday, Aug. 4. Chris Barton, the founder of Shazam, is listed for the Corporate Startup Innovation Summit on Tuesday, Aug. 5. Brianna Wiest is featured in the Women of Innovation Summit on Wednesday, Aug. 6, and Trust & Will co-founders Cody Barbo and Daniel Goldstein are slated for the Future of Venture Forum on Thursday, Aug. 7.

The guide says Calvin and Vanessa Jackson of The Lemon Ad Stand are scheduled to speak Aug. 6 at 11 a.m. It quotes the company’s mission as, “Help make the world sweeter.” The article also says workshops will be hosted by Texas Capital, Amazon and Verizon.

Capital One executive Sanjiv Yajnik is quoted in the article saying, “We must encourage and invest in entrepreneurs to build strong, vibrant communities,” in a section about the event’s regional economic role.

Dallas Innovates says some events require RSVPs or have limited space. It also directs attendees to parking and GPS guidance for Binkley Parking Center at 3105 Binkley Ave. in Dallas.

Sources

• Dallas Innovates: DFW Startup Week turns 10, here's your ultimate insider guide to DSW25
• Google News RSS: Dallas Innovates lead

Editorial note: This article was prepared with AI assistance and includes source attribution for reader review.