Who We Are
We’re here to prove that the next generation of world-changing companies doesn’t have to come from a coast.
It begins right here in Cowtown.
TechFW is a nonprofit startup incubator and accelerator based in Fort Worth, Texas, helping entrepreneurs turn innovation into reality since 1998. We support founders at every stage through expert-led programs, strategic mentorship, and access to a powerful community. We work with scalable startups in biotech, hardware, AI, clean energy, software, and emerging technologies without taking equity.
TechFW Startup Programs
We meet founders where they are and help them get where they’re going. Whether you’re validating a brand-new idea, building your first product, or gearing up to scale, our programs are designed to support the real work of entrepreneurship. No shortcuts. No ego. Just the structure, coaching, and community you need to move forward with confidence.
ThinkLab
Startup Accelerator
ThinkLab is our idea-stage accelerator for founders who are ready to stop daydreaming and start building. Over eight focused weeks, you’ll pressure-test your concept, talk to real customers, define your value, and map out your first path to market.
No jargon. No fluff. Just structured learning and hands-on guidance to help you decide whether to go all-in, pivot, or shelve the idea.
SmartStart
Startup Incubator
SmartStart is our incubator for founders who have moved past the idea stage and are ready to get their hands dirty building a real company. You’ll develop your MVP, build operations, connect with early adopters, refine your strategy, and put the right systems in place to move with intention, not guesswork. It’s practical, coach-driven, and built for founders who want consistent traction and accountability as they bring their innovation to life.
FastForward
Startup Growth Incubator
FastForward is our disciplined growth program for founders with traction and higher stakes. You’ll work one-on-one with seasoned coaches to sharpen your executive mindset, strengthen operations, improve forecasting, and prepare for meaningful investment. We keep you focused on the things that matter: sustainable growth, better leadership, and building a business that can scale without falling apart.
Our Mission
Our mission is to fuel the founders who will define the next frontier by giving them the coaching, community, and conviction to build companies that push North Texas forward.
TechFW is where founders find their footing and then take off. We partner with innovative thinkers across industries, providing hands-on programming and real-world guidance designed to help startups launch, grow, and stay rooted in a community that believes in them.
We're guided by our values and vision for a better future for Fort Worth.
Core Values
Give Before
You Get
In this neck of the woods, we don’t hoard the herd. We believe real progress happens when you help others move forward. At TechFW, founders, mentors, and partners share knowledge, experience, and connections without keeping score. Around here, generosity isn’t just encouraged, it’s how the ecosystem grows stronger.
No Lone Wolves
No one builds a startup alone. We believe in rolling deep with mentors, peers, and a community that shows up. Whether you’re celebrating a win or stuck in the weeds, TechFW is where entrepreneurs find real support, honest feedback, and people who’ve got your back.
No Sacred Cows in Cowtown
Innovation doesn’t happen by playing it safe. We challenge the status quo, ask hard questions, and stay open to change. At TechFW, nothing’s off the table. If it’s not serving the mission, it’s time to evolve. We’re not here to protect the old ways. We’re here to build better ones.
About TechFW
For over 25 years, TechFW has been Fort Worth’s frontier for founders. A place where startups wrangle risk, break new ground, and grow without giving up equity. We back bold thinkers with the tools, training, and trail guides to take their ideas from the back of a napkin to boots-on-the-ground execution. Around here, we don’t just talk innovation. We saddle up and ride with it.
History of Tech Fort Worth
1998
TechFW Founded
Founded through a public-private partnership between the City of Fort Worth and visionary tech leaders, TechFW was built to diversify and strengthen our local economy by supporting high-potential startups.
2003-2004
TechFW Expands
We began with a focus on medical technology. By 2003, we had expanded our mission to include all proprietary technologies, partnering with foundations like Sid Richardson and Amon Carter, along with companies like Alcon and RadioShack, to grow our reach.
In 2004, we opened our headquarters inside the former gymnasium of the James E. Guinn Campus with a nod to our roots and our commitment to building from the ground up. A few years later, we added wet lab space in partnership with UNT Health Fort Worth to support biotech startups with specialized needs.
2025 - Now
TechFW Forges the New Frontier
Today, we still call the Guinn Campus home and it is now a hub for entrepreneurial development that includes partners like Accelerate Fort Worth, The Business Assistance Center, 1 Million Cups Fort Worth, and Tarrant County SBDC. We’re proud to continue serving North Texas founders through public-private partnerships and community-rooted innovation. Join us at an upcoming event to connect with us!