Where Innovation Begins
Two medical students surrounded by the virtual reality setting of HSC's Regional Simulation Center
The Regional Simulation Center at
UNT Health Science Center

One major quality that sets Fort Worth apart is the city’s environment of exploration, comradery and willingness to partner across industries to advance common business goals. This is particularly evident in Fort Worth’s target industries, whose individual strengths often provide a stronger foundation – and a more attractive business prospect – when combined with each other.

For example, Fort Worth’s strengths in energy and electrification are bolstered by companies and a knowledgeable workforce that’s already proficient at advanced manufacturing. Companies who are manufacturing technologically sophisticated products – or even medical devices or medication – see great benefit in the city’s world-class logistics infrastructure, to transport their products as easily and efficiently as possible.

 

New frontiers for a new generation

There are ten major universities and colleges located within Fort Worth, and the city has access to workforce pipelines from other major universities throughout Texas. Many of these schools are leading the way – not only in the creation of new research and developing technologies, but in shaping the skilled workforce and local talent required to build, operate, and scale the technologies of tomorrow.

• Texas A&M University Law School has made a $170 million commitment to expand its existing downtown campus into Aggieland North, a law school and Tier-One research center that will support and expand innovation in a variety of programs, from health science and biotech to urban and visual design.

TCU's Neeley School of Business
TCU’s Neeley School of Business

• TCU’s Neeley School of Business offers a degree in Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and the university has also started construction on the new four-story home of the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine, in Fort Worth’s medical district. Learn more.

• UNT Health Science Center at Fort Worth (HSC) is driving health and medical innovation in a variety of ways. The university is home to the North Texas Eye Research Institute, the Institute for Health Disparities focused on improving representation of minority communities in scientific research, and a new 16,000 square foot state-of-the-art Regional Simulation Center that creates real-life training environments through cutting-edge virtual reality rooms.

• UTA Fort Worth is a comprehensive teaching, research, and public service institution with national Carnegie R-1 research status. The university is innovating the future of on-road transportation through their multidisciplinary curriculum and industry partnerships – in particular, UTA’s Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC) offers tools and training for manufacturing supply chain optimization, product development and innovation for autonomous and electric vehicles as well as vehicle cybersecurity, and workforce development opportunities. UTA’s College of Engineering offers the most thorough engineering program in North Texas, and UTA’s Research Institute (UTARI) creates technical applications, produces prototypes and drives technology with commercial potential into the market place.

• Tarrant County College (TCC) is home to the Center of Excellence for Energy Technology (CEET), an 87,000 square foot learning and training center that houses the college’s training programs for oil, gas and renewable energy technologies. The college is also home to the Hadley Center of Excellence for Aviation, Transportation and Logistics, which offers credit programs towards an associate degree in aviation maintenance, logistics and supply chain management, and towards becoming a professional pilot. TCC’s Corporate Solutions & Economic Development division also offers customized job training solutions, process improvement and workforce assessments, and even supports an entrepreneur venture fund.

• Tarleton State University’s new 80-acre campus in Fort Worth is driving innovation through research scholarship, while also working with local incubator TechFW to place students in start-up technology companies.

 

Bootstrapping is what we do

Fort Worth has a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, innovators and small business owners who often partner and collaborate to achieve collective success. Our city also has a robust ecosystem of coaches and advisors to help guide your business’ growth and set it up for future success.

• HSC Next: A division of UNT Health Science Center (HSC) at Fort Worth, the HSC Next team works to grow and connect Fort Worth’s innovators with people, capital, expertise and knowledge to maximize success for local entrepreneurs, researchers and startups companies.

• Sparkyard: Innovators can launch and grow their company with Sparkyard, Fort Worth’s local resource navigator for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Sparkyard’s network of nonprofit and business service providers can provide resources to any size organization, at any stage of their business growth.

Edward Morgan stands in front of his Revitalize Charging Solutions vehicle charger
Edward Morgan, CEO of Revitalize Charging
Solutions & TechFW Alumni

• TechFW: This non-profit organization has been putting the “tech” in Texas for almost 25 years, helping entrepreneurs launch and grow emerging technology companies by providing coaching and mentorship to achieve success, and promoting entrepreneurs with innovative proprietary technologies without taking any equity. Startups have the option of joining a non-seed accelerator, incubator, or scaling program to fit the needs of their business. Through its commitment to developing community, TechFW has guided innovators from more than 100 companies from idea to exit, for over $3 billion and counting. View their portfolio of current and past clients.

• Cowtown Angels: A program of TechFW, Cowtown Angels is Fort Worth’s leading angel investor network. Now in its 10th year of operations, Cowtown Angels’ members have already invested more than $500,000 this year, bringing the group’s total investment to more than $23 million.

• Techstars Physical Health Fort Worth Accelerator: Ten high-growth, early-stage startups are currently participating in this business accelerator to build new technologies, treatments and therapies in areas focused on physical health, such as rehabilitation, physical therapy, performance and exercise. The intensive 13-week program includes hands-on mentorship, up to $120,000 in funding, and curated entrepreneurial content, programming, and networking opportunities for its international cohort. The program will culminate in a Demo Day later this winter.

 

You’re in good company

Engineers at Linear Labs
Engineers at Linear Labs

Below is a small selection of companies who have a strong presence in Fort Worth – from corporate headquarters to national/regional hubs and major manufacturing facilities, these businesses are actively building our city’s strong foundations in aerospace, energy, mobility, advanced manufacturing and life sciences.

 

 

WHERE GROWTH BEGINS  |  WHERE INNOVATION BEGINS  |  WHERE THE FUTURE BEGINS