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Tracks, Summits & Community Events

Industry tracks are at the core of Dallas Startup Week’s programming. With 21 different tracks ranging from Marketing, to AI, Automation and Quantum to Healthcare, there’s something for every entrepreneur or innovator, no matter what stage of the journey they’re in. Each track will have multiple panels, presentations and fireside chats featuring diverse speakers that are igniting change that will advance North Texas into the future, while at the same time holding steadfast to the values that helped build the foundation for this entrepreneurial community. 

All of the track sessions will take place during the day – Monday, August 8 through Thursday, August 11 – at the SMU Cox School of Business. Stay tuned for the full schedule and more information closer to the event!

Dallas Startup Week has multiple special events and summits that happen throughout the week. The purpose of the special events and summits are to bring together our community all in one place as well as provide special programming for women and underrepresented entrepreneurs.

Summits will have multiple sessions throughout the day, while special events will be one singular event each evening – all held at the SMU Cox School of Business, as well as virtually on Brushfire. Stay tuned for the full schedule and more information closer to the event!

Tracks

Track Captains: Anna Jarman, Bill Cockerill, Wendy Howell

The AI & Automation track explores current trends and innovation, investment in AI and the future of AI featuring a mix of panels and sessions from industry experts and veterans. The track includes sessions such as: AI in Process Intelligence; AI in the Enterprise, Today & Tomorrow; and Quantum Computing & AI.

Track Captain: Katie Polanksy & Lauren Keuning

Create your place in arts and entertainment through the A&E track! You’ll learn how to leverage storytelling, rise up in the social markets, translate your artistry to corporate and more!

Whether you’re a mom and pop shop with a website, or a cutting edge startup using AI technology, all entrepreneurs can learn a thing or two in the coding track. Learn everything from design thinking to how to find the right technical team.

It is imperative for every startup and small business to think about how they are protecting their own information and data, as well as their customers’ data. Join us at the cybersecurity track brought to you by Dell to learn everything from the basics, to the advanced practices.

This track includes defense innovation in regards to tech, ecosystem stakeholders and more. Learn how the Department of Defense is innovating!

Raising Capital, Learning the Metaverse, Gaming, and more! Join us for the Emerging Technologies track to hear about the newest trends in technology.

The Education track brings you entrepreneurial sessions designed by staff and faculty from local colleges with a focus on entrepreneurship. Sessions will highlight entrepreneurialism and the collegiate experience.

What’s the first step to becoming a franchise? How do I strategize as an emerging business? How do I grow as a business owner? All these questions and more will be answered at the Franchising Track sessions! Join us!

Track Captain: Erica Molett

Get your game on with the Gaming & Esports track! This track will have panelists from major game brands, discuss women innovating in gaming and esports, take a look at the logistics of live gaming events and more!

Track Captain: Lindsey Settles

Navigate the journey of healthcare startups during the healthcare track, sponsored by C1 Innovation Lab, through sessions in the basics of startups in healthcare, fundraising, law and more!

Track Captain: Jessica Vittorio

Stay updated on legal practices through the legal track. Sessions in this track include legislative updates, entity basics and other basic practices in legal.

This track will bring experts in to talk through leadership and how to lead your company to success. The track will also provide tangible ways for you to grow as a leader.

Track Captain: Michelle Rider

The Marketing track is the perfect place for marketers of any skill level to up their game. In this track we will explore marketing techniques that will take your business to the next level through interactive workshops, learning how to utilize algorithms to your advantage, shift narratives and more!

The retail track will help you stay up to date with the most current retail trends and issues! This track will contain sessions in the styles of panels and fireside chats.

Track Captain: Natalie Luneva

The SaaS Track features local SaaS company founders and software industry experts who share their knowledge with their fellow software entrepreneurs in Dallas. Entrepreneurs at every level who are building SaaS, platform, marketplace, fintech, and other software-powered businesses will benefit and make useful connections.

This track covers early stage funding, funding alternatives to venture-capital, inclusive investing and more. Hear from investors and advisors to learn best funding practices!

Learn how to utilize your business for good through the Social Impact track! This track explores how your business can create an impact on your community, how to foster change within your workplace, work together for positive change and more!

The Veteran track will highlight veterans making a difference in the DFW entrepreneurial space. This track will feature veteran entrepreneurs as speakers and will highlight ways to kick-start your veteran-owned business with funding, resources and more.

Summits

Monday, August 8 | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Disrupt Dallas celebrates the champions that are disrupting the entrepreneurial ecosystem and talent pipeline, as well as providing expert education and programming for entrepreneurs of color to help support and grow their business through a combination of speakers, discussions and networking opportunities. Disrupt Dallas will take place in person at SMU and online.

Wednesday, August 10 | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Women of Innovation is a daylong slate of seminars and speakers to recognize, encourage and advance women leaders who have the courage and passion to transform their ideas and ambitions into a reality. Featuring a dynamic group of leading visionaries, Women of Innovation will celebrate, inspire and connect change-makers across markets and industries to provide all women in business with greater insights and knowledge into the trends and possibilities of the future. Women of Innovation will be held in person at SMU and online.

Thursday, August 11 | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Corporate Startup Innovation leverages and unites the breadth and diversity of DFW’s corporations and dynamic startup ecosystem. The summit will mobilize these groups by featuring DFW’s best and brightest innovators who will share how their companies are shaping our future – resulting in new ideas, business models, investment trends, connections and opportunities for business growth and acceleration.

Community Events

Digital Fight Club

Tired of boring tech events? So are we. We’re turning the technology panel on its head. We put 2 technology experts on stage, in the ring 2 feet from each other in front of 5 accomplished “referees” and let them defend their position on a topic in their field.We do this in front of 500 CEOs, technologists, entrepreneurs and investors.

So there is no pressure.Then we let the refs and audience (that’s you) vote for a winner. That’s not boring. That’s fun.

…and you might learn something.

NOTE: This is a FREE event open to confirmed attendees of Dallas Startup Week or VIPs with a valid code. GA must include their DSW Attendee #. Only the 1st 300 attendees will be allowed in due to space limitations.

Register Today!

Dallas Startup Week Official Happy Hour + Networking Mixer

All work and no play is no way to live! Founders Night Out is a fun, social event where you can meet local entrepreneurs and technology CEOs, and share your business ideas and aspirations with like-minded peers. Join Founder Institute Dallas and the (DEC) Dallas Entrepreneur Center for the “Official Dallas Startup Week Happy Hour Networking Mixer” for a fun opportunity to meet other DFW entrepreneurs, startup founders, and investors in a purely social atmosphere. No speeches, no official programming, just a time to enjoy summer and meet some cool people while enjoying your favorite beverage!

Register Today!

Emerging Tech in the Big D Happy Hour

You are cordially invited to join Dallas Startup Week and Greenburg Traurig as we host the “Emerging Tech in the Big D Happy Hour.” Located near the top of the (former) Chase Tower, Greenburg Traurig is thrilled to invite you to enjoy good food, great company, and revelry.

Register Today!

SCHEDULE

Download The DEC Network app to schedule your Dallas Startup Week experience.