As we head into the new year, it’s good to look back and reflect. And who doesn’t like celebrating their accomplishments?
We’re heading into a new decade, so NTX Inno is looking back on 2019 to see what stories resonated with our readers. We rounded up the most read stories in North Texas for the year, and they show a portrait of what makes the DFW tech and startup scene. Stories are ranked lowest to highest page views.
Pro tip: Have a story you think needs to be told or know of a startup that deserves some recognition? Send us an email.
Time is important when you are facing a potential night on the street. The Dallas Housing Authority teamed up Dallas-based tech startup BoodsKapper to implement AI software InspectionMate. The tech helps the DHA streamline its inspection process required before moving a tenant into a new place. During beta testing, the time it takes to carry out a quality inspection was cut from about 15 days to only two or three days.
When it comes to places to relocate or launch a new tech business, DFW hits nearly all the check marks - a relatively low cost of living, a business-friendly government, a healthy commercial real estate market, and a number of Fortune 500 companies and nationally ranked universities. All these combined have made the Metroplex an attractive location. According to a report by Cushman & Wakefield, tech companies make up about 5.8% of the North Texas market, with tech companies from San Francisco having snatched up nearly 1 million square-feet of office space in the region since 2010.
Six undergrad and graduate finalists faced off in front of a panel of judges in a Shark Tank-style pitch competition in November at UT-Dallas. Up for grabs was a $25,000 cash prize. More than 216 applications were submitted. After making their pitches and fielding questions from the judges, ResumePuppy, a cloud-based resume generating software product, came out on top. Second place went to OhmMaker, a STEM-based edtech startup, but was later disqualified because “it was determined that that team was unable to meet prize qualifications,” according to Paul Nichols, executive director of the UT-Dallas Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Third place and $5,000 went to nonprofit social platform focused on removing barriers to accessing academic research Access My. Research.
NTX Inno created a roundup to highlight local startups with an impact-driven focus of making the world a better place. According to a 2018 Forbes article, impact investing is forecasted to grow to more than $300 billion by 2020. Locally, Fort Worth-founded TPG closed on its $1.7 billion “The Rise Fund” this year. This roundup includes robots that help teach children with autism to a catering service that helps employ refugee women and a tea company that sources their product from former conflict zones.
To highlight some of the young entrepreneurs and leaders under the age of 25, NTX Inno has put together a list of some of the best and brightest of the region’s young, innovative minds. Because what better way to take measure of an ecosystem than looking toward where it’s headed? Winners were chosen based on nominations and Inno’s editorial-selection process. These up-and-comers include founders and CEOs (and one intern for Dallas’ esports team) working at everything from blockchain and VR to cannabis and cloud-based phone systems.
