As we close out 2025, we’re feeling one thing more than anything: proud. Proud of the founders who kept showing up. Proud of the partners who rolled up their sleeves. Proud of a Fort Worth innovation community that feels more connected and more ambitious by the month. At TechFW, our members are the lifeblood of this organization. And this year, they proved what happens when grit meets guidance.

UNT Health Fort Worth recently renewed and expanded its partnership with TechFW to advance technology commercialization, support early-stage innovators and strengthen the region’s growing health innovation ecosystem.

Caitlin McMinn was appointed executive director of TechFW in September. (Courtesy photo | TechFW) TechFW recently promoted Caitlin McMinn to executive director, overseeing the nonprofit that serves as an incubator and accelerator for tech-based startups across the city.  In early September, officials named McMinn to lead TechFW’s strategic initiatives and programming for the organization that provides support and resources to help local entrepreneurs scale up.  McMinn joined

Fort Worth, TX – [Friday, March 8, 2024] – TechFW, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering innovation and empowering technology entrepreneurs, has named Ryan Brown its first Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Founded in 1998, TechFW has been a dynamic force in the entrepreneurial community, empowering the growth of technology-based businesses in North Texas through its incubator and accelerator programs. After the organization celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, Br

We are celebrating the visionaries who helped guide TechFW through 25 years of innovation as Executive Director. The first leader of the organization after it was founded in 1998 was Warren Webb . With a wealth of experience spanning his career, Webb is renowned for his innovative solutions and adept leadership in sales and technology. His role extended beyond mere leadership; it was a commitment to locating and nurturing viable businesses with the potential to shape the futu

It’s not every day that you step onto a stage to share your idea. It’s also not every day to then be handed a check to help make your dream a reality. But last month, two TechFW members did just that at the Texas A&M New Ventures Competition in College Station and won big. Among the 20 companies competing, Tyler Sickels, founder of SolGro , was awarded $20,000 and Tre Welch, founder of Trémedics Medical Devices , was awarded $25,000. In addition, these founders   were the onl

TechFW is pleased to offer its heartiest congratulations to $25,000 winner Hashira Studios and five other top finishers who shared an additional $60,000 in The University of Texas at Arlington 2021 MavPitch Business Competition. Since 2018, more than $1 million has been awarded through the Maverick Entrepreneur Program and Award Fund. “It is an honor to partner with UTA and work with the students over the summer as they advance their startups,” said Hayden Blackburn, Executiv

We are excited to officially announce Brandy O'Quinn as our new Assistant Director. An entrepreneur at heart, Brandy O’Quinn approaches every opportunity as an innovator, never afraid to look beyond the status quo  to find unique solutions. An accomplished public affairs professional, she is widely viewed as an authority on the myriad complex municipal networks within the North Texas region and has decades of experience successfully delivering results through effective engage

TCU and TechFW were chosen as partners and asked to nominate a speaker to represent the ‘Red River’ region (OK and TX) and Elyse Dickerson , CEO and Co-Founder of Eosera, was nominated and accepted the ask to speak. Pictured: Elyse Dickerson of Eosera being filmed for her upcoming talk at Red Bull Basement South Summit At Red Bull Basement South Summit, Elyse will share her incredible story of struggle and success. We are confident she will inspire students at this event. Eo

We couldn't do what we do at TechFW without the incredible individuals listed below. We are beyond grateful to have them as part of our network.   1. Lori Baldock   Fort Worth Market President Simmons Bank   Lori Baldock was promoted to Simmons’ Fort Worth market presidency in September 2019, from Midtown Banking Center president. She is past chair of Near Southside, Inc. and serves on its board; member of Women Steering Business in Fort Worth; and graduate of Stephen F. Aust

Bigger. Stronger. More Inclusive. More Diverse.  Let’s build a bigger ecosystem for entrepreneurs and startup founders.  Let’s build a stronger support network for innovators.  Let’s expand on what TechFW has built and proved over its 20+ year history and scale to reach new heights.  Let’s build! We are in the long game. We are looking 20, maybe 30 years into the future. The seeds we plant today and the small steps we take today will lead to transformation during the coming d

Nuvothera presented to Cowtown Angels for a follow-on funding round Sept. 16. It is seeking dollars to support the launch of its newest product, a treatment for scalp psoriasis. This was the second time the skin-focused biotech company has presented to the Fort Worth-based angel investor group. Led by CEO Art Clapp, Nuvothera raised $2.06M in equity from Cowtown Angels  in February 2018, primarily for its psoriasis treatment, Prosoria. “There is a huge need for Prosoria,” Cla

TechFW recognized four local technology entrepreneurs at its ninth-annual IMPACT Awards Luncheon. The annual event — which took place Tuesday, Oct. 17, at Texas Christian University’s Brown Lupton University Union — aims to “celebrate the global impact of emerging technologies.” Academic director of the Entrepreneurship Center at TCU’s Neeley School of Business, Keith Hmieleski says that at TCU the focus on entrepreneurship is value-driven. He added that eight out of the ten

This is the first "exit" (sale) by the Cowtown Angels members of a company they met through TechFW's Cowtown Angels program. Encore Vision has been a client of TechFW since 2008, when Bill Burns was one of the very earliest clients in what is now called the ThinkLab program. Novartis buying Fort Worth eye-care startup Encore Vision Bill Burns, founder of Encore Vision, and Les Kreis, who runs a local venture capital firm and is involved with the Cowtown Angels investor networ

The global drugmaker AstraZeneca said Friday that it has a definitive agreement to buy the former North Texas startup ZS Pharma for $2.7 billion. The deal marks a stellar rise for the biopharmaceutical company, which got an early assist from state’s tech fund and a Fort Worth technology incubator. ZS Pharma, which is now based in San Mateo, Calif., and has offices in Coppell, uses a proprietary technology called ion-trap to develop treatments for high potassium levels in the