Startup Grind Fort Worth

When & where

About this event

Build Your Network Signature + Community Events See below for The DEC Network's Signature events! The DEC Network Pickleball Classic Date: December 2, 2026 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM Location: DFW Indoor Pickleball SECURE YOUR TICKET HERE The 2nd Annual DEC Network Pickleball Classic - December 2, 2026. Join DFW entrepreneurs to Paddle with Purpose at the Second Annual DEC Network Pickleball Classic on October 15, 2026. This high-energy tournament connects local founders, mentors, and leaders on and off the court. Whether competing or networking, your participation funds the free programs and mentorship that fuel small-business success. Become part of this Big Dill community, play with purpose, and support the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Register today to secure your spot and be part of this highly anticipated event! Funkytown Founder Awards November 12, 2026 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM The DEC Network at Fort Worth Join us for the the 3rd annual Funkytown Founder Awards! Considered the Super Bowl of Fort Worth entrepreneurship, this high-energy event will bring together the city's most inspiring innovators, founders, and leaders to celebrate the people, places, and passions powering Fort Worth's startup ecosystem. The Funkytown Founder Awards honor the individuals and organizations keeping the entrepreneurial spirit alive in our city. Nominated and voted on by the community, for the community, these awards spotlight those making a real impact. Voting will open soon! Register Here Nominations for Funkytown Founder Awards are Open! Submit your nominations here Nominations close 10/08! AWARD CATEGORIES Future of Funkytown Award sponsored by TCU Honoring a student entrepreneur from any university whose creativity, ambition, and entrepreneurial spirit represent an exciting future for Fort Worth. Funky Fresh Innovator Celebrating the founder who, despite being in business for less than two years, brings bold, cutting-edge innovations to the market, keeping things fresh and pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Panther City Pioneer Celebrating a founder who has been in business for 10+ years, laying the foundation for Fort Worth's next generation of entrepreneurs through their experience, leadership, and innovative contributions. Cowgirl Founder of the Year Honoring the fearless female founder who's made a significant impact with her creativity and boldness in the entrepreneurial landscape. Cowboy Founder of the Year Celebrating the daring male founder who's led his venture with grit, innovation, and a touch of cowboy charm. Heart of Fort Worth Award Celebrating a community partner whose passion for their community shines through in their business endeavors and philanthropic efforts. Boots on the Ground Award Celebrating an organization whose team doesn't just talk about supporting entrepreneurship--they actively show up, volunteer, mentor, connect, and invest in Fort Worth founders. Community Wrangler Honoring a large corporation that has invested time and financial support into the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Fort Worth. Lone Star Leader Honoring a small or medium-sized corporation that has invested time and financial support into the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Fort Worth. PNC Workshop: Small Business and Financial Emergencies Register Here! September 24, 2026 The DEC Network @ Redbird PNC Workshop: Small Business & Financial EmergenciesIs Your Business Ready for an Emergency? Is Your Business Prepared for the Unexpected? Join PNC Bank and The DEC Network on September 24 from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM at The DEC Network at Redbird for a practical workshop on managing financial emergencies, protecting cash flow, and building a resilient business. Learn strategies to navigate uncertainty and position your business for long-term sustainability and success. North Texas Capital Access Convening Register Here! North Texas Capital Access (NTCA) Convening Join us for the North Texas Capital Access (NTCA) Convening, hosted in person at the DeSoto Civic Center. This impactful event provides a unique platform to connect, collaborate, and drive forward our mission to empower underrepresented entrepreneurs by bridging the capital access gap. Event Details:📅 Date: Sept. 17, 2026🕛 Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM📍 Location: The DeSoto Civic Center This gathering is an opportunity to gain valuable insights, share perspectives, and actively contribute to advancing equitable opportunities for entrepreneurs across the community. RSVP today to secure your spot and be part of this important conversation. We look forward to seeing you there! DFW Startup Week 2026 Date: August 03-06, 2026Location: SMU Collins Center Sponsored by Capital One Register Here DFW Startup Week 2026 - Celebrating 11 Years of Innovation!Fueling Innovation Across North Texas Get ready for the 11th Annual DFW Startup Week, bigger and better than ever before! Hosted by the SMU Cox Spears Institute at SMU, this year's event promises to be an unforgettable celebration of entrepreneurship, innovation, and business leadership. As the second largest Startup Week in the U.S. and the largest in Texas, DFW Startup Week brings together a diverse community of entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders. It's also one of the most diverse Startup Weeks in the country, offering a platform for voices from all backgrounds to share ideas, collaborate, and grow. From August 03-06, 2026, join us for expert-led workshops, inspiring keynotes, pitch competitions, and unparalleled networking opportunities. Whether you're a startup founder, aspiring entrepreneur, or seasoned professional, this event has something for everyone. Don't miss out on this year--join us for a week of learning, growth, and connection that will shape the future of North Texas! Register now to be part of DFW Startup Week! More info HERE Big Idea Pitch Competition Register Here June 30th, 2026 The DEC Network @ Redbird Join us as we celebrate the entrepreneurs who have earned a spot in this year's Big iDEA Pitch Competition. 📅 Date: Tuesday, June 30th⏰ Time: 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM📍 Location: The DEC Network @ RedBird The Top 8 founders, after weeks of competition, have earned their place in the Big iDEA Pitch Competition and are ready to take the stage. Each entrepreneur will present their business concept to a live audience and a panel of judges, competing for cash awards to help accelerate their venture's growth. This competition showcases the creativity, determination, and vision of some of our region's most promising entrepreneurs. At the conclusion of the event, three founders will be recognized and awarded funding to support the next chapter of their business journey. Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, business professional, student, or someone who enjoys seeing great ideas come to life, this is an opportunity to connect with the entrepreneurial community and support the next generation of innovators. Your evening includes: • Live founder pitch competition featuring the Top 8 finalists• Networking with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community members• Light bites and refreshments• Celebration of local entrepreneurship and innovation• Award presentation recognizing the Top 3 founders Come cheer on these ambitious founders, make new connections, and be part of an evening dedicated to turning big ideas into reality. Reserve your spot today and help us celebrate the entrepreneurs building what's next! Your Startup Pitch Competition May 12th The DEC Network @ Frost RedBird Event Center Register Here The Your Start Up Pitch Competition is an exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative ideas and compete for funding, mentorship, and resources to accelerate their businesses. Taking place on May 6th at The DEC Network @ Frost RedBird Event Center, this high-energy event brings together emerging startups, investors, and business leaders from various industries. What to Expect: Live Pitches: Watch as selected entrepreneurs present their business ideas to a panel of expert judges, with a chance to win valuable prizes that could take their startups to the next level.Expert Judges: Gain insights from a distinguished panel of investors, industry leaders, and successful entrepreneurs who will evaluate pitches and provide actionable feedback.Networking Opportunities: Connect with other entrepreneurs, investors, and potential business partners in a dynamic, supportive environment.Prize Packages: Winners will receive a combination of funding, mentorship, and resources tailored to help them scale their business and grow.Whether you're pitching, supporting a competitor, or simply interested in the latest innovations, the Your Start Up Pitch Competition is the perfect platform for entrepreneurs to elevate their ideas and take their ventures to the next level. Don't miss this chance to witness the future of innovation! See below for a calendar of upcoming community events! Click here to add your upcoming event to our calendar!

Reviews

Fan chat