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2025 Annual Conference
October 30th

Innovation Meets Investment

The Venture Dallas annual conference convenes innovators, business luminaries, and investors from around the nation to learn more about and experience for themselves the forces propelling Dallas-Fort Worth as a premier hub of innovation.

October 30th

Join premier investors and entrepreneurs from around the country to learn more about the early and growth-stage investment climate in DFW, how to capitalize on it, and what’s coming next.

George W. Bush
Presidential Center

The George W. Bush Institute on the campus of SMU

A Community of North Texas Leaders

Venture Dallas exists to amplify the entrepreneurial spirit of Dallas by connecting innovators with investors, celebrating our pioneering roots, and driving impactful growth for a thriving business community. The conference and our community are the catalysts for entrepreneurial growth in the heart of Texas, bridging innovators and investors with trusted connections, meaningful support, and a shared pioneering spirit.

We shape Dallas into a thriving hub for business, where ideas ignite, opportunities abound, and success is celebrated.

Who We Are

Remarkable Speakers

At the crossroads of creativity and capital, we recognize that innovation alone isn't enough; it must be met with the right investment to grow and flourish.

Engage with a power-packed lineup of Investors, Entrepreneurs, and High-Growth Companies from Dallas-Fort Worth and around the country. Learn explicitly why our region is experiencing explosive growth.

Venture Dallas brings together visionary investors who see the potential in entrepreneurs' dreams.

 

Our annual conference convenes innovators, business luminaries, and investors from around the nation to experience the forces propelling Dallas-Fort Worth forward as a premier hub of innovation. 

Investors Connect

Interested to learn more about the various angel investor groups, family offices, venture capital, and private equity firms that operate in the Dallas-Fort Worth market?

 

We’ve partnered with the Dallas Regional Chamber and Dallas Innovates to maintain a list of the capital firms and North Texas deal flow to give you the real picture of our opportunities.

Funding Activity

2024 Sponsors

2024 Presenting Sponsors

2024 Premier Sponsors

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2024 Headline Sponsors

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2024 Foundational Sponsors

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2024 Speakers & Topics

Jim Lee

Founder and CEO

Texas Stock Exchange

Biography

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John Cornyn

United States Senator

Texas

Biography

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Chris Darby

Global Head

Venture Investments

Biography

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Amy Abernethy, MD, PhD

Co-Founder

Highlander Health

Biography

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Brad Hirsch, MD

Co-Founder

Highlander Health

Biography

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Wes Cummins

Founder and CEO

Applied Digital

Biography

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Nicole Small

CEO

LH Capital & Lyda Hill Philanthropies

Biography

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Mike Fey

Co-Founder and CEO

Island Technology

Biography

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David Hunt

Founder and Managing Partner

Hunt Technology Ventures

Biography

Light Backdrop

Darren Blanton

Founder and Managing Partner

Colt Ventures

Biography

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Coby Cotton

Co-Founder

Dude Perfect

Biography

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Andrew Yaffe

CEO

Dude Perfect

Biography

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Jason Illian

Co-Founder and Managing Director

Highmount Capital

Biography

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Jesse Draper

Founding Partner

Halogen Ventures

Biography

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JC Raby

Managing Director, Head of Emerging Technology

J.P. Morgan

Biography

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2024 Speakers

Elaine Agather

Chairman of the Dallas Region

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

CEO of the Central Region and Managing Director of The Private Bank J.P. Morgan.

Biography

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Anurag Jain

Chairman & CEO

Access Healthcare

Co-Founder

Perot Jain

Biography

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J. Aaron Pierce

Partner, Perot Jain

Chairman & Co-Founder, Venture Dallas

Moderator

Biography

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Strategic Leadership & Investment

Navigating Dude Perfect's Next Phase of Growth

Welcome Remarks & State of VC

Introductory Panel

Coby Cotton

Co-Founder

Dude Perfect

Biography

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Andrew Yaffee

CEO

Dude Perfect

Biography

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Jason Illian

Co-Founder and Managing Director

Highmount Capital

Moderator

Biography

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Funding the Future

A Blueprint for Investing in Impactful Consumer Tech

Jesse Draper

Founding Partner

Halogen Ventures

Biography

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Bryan Chambers

President & Co-Founder

Capital Factory 

Biography

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National Security Investment Trends 

With Christopher Darby & Senator Cornyn

Chris Darby

Global Head 

Venture Investments

Biography

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John Cornyn

U.S. Senator

Texas

Biography

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Lessons from Leading Dallas Investors

Insights from David Hunt & Darren Blanton

Darren Blanton

Founder & Managing Partner

Colt Ventures

Biography

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David Hunt

Founder & Managing Partner

Hunt Technology Ventures 

Biography

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Louisa McCarty

7-Ventures

Moderator

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Revolutionizing Healthcare

Advancing Clinical Trial Innovation in North Texas

Amy Abernethy, MD, PhD

Co-Founder 

Highlander Heath

Biography

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Brad Hirsch, MD

Co-Founder 

Highlander Heath

Biography

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Nicole Small

CEO

LH Capital & Lyda Hill Philanthropies

Moderator

Biography

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Insights from Tech Founders

 With J.P. Morgan

Mike Fey

Co-Founder & CEO

Island Technology

Biography

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Wes Cummins

Founder & CEO

Applied Digital

Biography

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JC Raby

Managing Director, Head of Emerging Technology, J.P. Morgan

Moderator

Biography

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The Future of the Creator Economy

Matt Kendrick

CEO

Good Good Golf

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Preston Troutt

Co-Founder & CEO

Crowdsurf

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Ansley Carlisle

Investor

Mark Cuban Companies

Moderator

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Dallas Startups

A Candid Conversation

Robin Alex

Co-Founder & CEO

HighLevel Inc.

Biography

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Wyatt Smith

Co-Founder & CEO

UpSmith

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Liz Tsai

Founder & CEO

HiOperator

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Kevin Lavelle

Co-Founder & CEO, Harbor

Founder & Chairman, Mizzen+Main

Moderator

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The Texas Stock Exchange

Jim Lee

CEO

Texas Stock Exchange

Biography

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J. Aaron Pierce

Partner

Perot Jain

Moderator

Biography

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Venture's Role in Advancing Human Health: North Texas Biotech Success Stories

Steve CurtisDirector of New Ventures, BrightEdge

Dr. Amy Kruse, General Partner and CIO, Satori Neuro

Gwen WatanabeManaging Director, H.I.G. BioHealth Partners

Gabby EverettDirector of Business Operations & Strategy and Site Head, BioLabs Pegasus Park

Dallas Success Stories: Lyndsey and Scott Harper

Scott HarperCo-Founder and CEO, Dialexa

Lyndsey HarperFounder and CEO, Rosy

Defending Tomorrow: Innovations and Collaborations for Defense Technology

Will EdwardsCEO, Firehawk Aerospace

Dyan GibbensStrategic Advisor, AFWERX/SpaceWERX

Sha-Chelle ManningChief Commercial Strategist, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) 

Alex MoorePartner, 8VC

Hal LambertFounder, Point Bridge Capital, Founder, Star Castle Ventures

The State of Venture Capital and Financing

Ashraf HebelaManaging Director, Head of Startup Banking, J.P. Morgan

Michelle Yeh Gillis, Managing Director and Market Executive Technology and Disruptive Commerce, J.P. Morgan

Sara Johnson, Horizon Tech Finance

Kevin Lavelle, CEO, Mizzen+Main

A Conversation with a Champion

Clark Hunt, Chairman and CEO of Kansas City Chiefs and FC Dallas sports teams

Schedule

Oct 25

Startup Award Presentation

Swinging for Success: VC, Sports, and Tech

Keith BankFounder and CEO, KB Partners

Arjun ChowdriChief Administrative and Innovation Officer, PGA

Ryan EngleFounder and CEO, Golf+

Artie StarrsCEO, Topgolf

Adeel YangCo-Founder and CEO, Dryvebox

Tammy MeinershagenCIO, Blackshaw Partners

A Conversation with a Champion 

Dirk Nowitski, Special Advisor, Dallas Mavericks & Hall of Fame player for NBA World Champion Dallas Mavericks

Fireside Chat with Nirav Tolia

Nirav ToliaFounder, NextDoor

CVC and Corporate Innovation, A Discussion with Fortune 500 Innovation Leaders

Moni ChakravortyLead Investment Strategist, 7 Ventures

Terence O'BrienInvestment Lead, Aflac Ventures

Vikram TanejaHead, AT&T Ventures

Gretchen SeayCo-Founder and Managing Director, Clearsight Advisors

Dallas Success Stories: Jamie and Melbourne O'Banion

Melbourne O'BanionCEO and Co-Founder, Bestow

Jamie O'Banion, CEO and Founder, BeautyBio

DALLAS INNOVATES

"Venture Dallas Announces 2024 Startup of the Year Awards Finalists, Expands Field to 20 After Record Nominations"

DALLAS INNOVATES

"Innovation Meets Investment: Venture Dallas 2024 Summit Returns With J.P. Morgan and Perot Jain Leading the Charge"

October 30th

Engage with a power-packed lineup of Investors, Entrepreneurs, and High-Growth Companies from Dallas-Fort Worth and around the country. 

George W. Bush
Presidential Center

The George W. Bush Institute on the campus of SMU

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