Innovate Fort Worth
The newest cohort of the Techstars physical health accelerator has arrived in Fort Worth. Meet two of the companies that are improving the physical, mental and whole health of patients through their innovative startup companies. This episode features Abasi Ene-Obong from Syndicate Bio and Luis Pierpauli from Gisens Biotech. To learn more about Syndicate Bio, visit To learn more about Gisens Biotech, visit To learn more about HSC Next, visit
info_outline #130 Techstars 2024, Part 1: Nerveli & PeeqInnovate Fort Worth
The newest cohort of the Techstars physical health accelerator has arrived in Fort Worth. Meet two of the companies that are improving the physical, mental and whole health of patients through their innovative startup companies. This episode features Leon Jacobson from Nerveli and Tom Chapman from Peeq Pro. To learn more about Nerveli, visit To learn more about Peeq Pro, visit To learn more about HSC Next, visit
info_outline #129 Mark Melson: Fostering the Future of AdoptionInnovate Fort Worth
The adoption space isn’t known for innovation. But Mark Melson is changing that. The Gladney Center is an adoption center, connecting families and children to education, resources, cutting edge tools. For over 135 years, they have been a pioneer in the field of adoption. Committed to finding loving homes for children, Gladney offers a range of services to birth parents, adoptive families, and children. Through the use of technology, Gladney has facilitated connections between birth parents and adoptive families, ensuring a more efficient and supportive adoption process. After going through a...
info_outline #128 Demetrie King: Making Markets MatchInnovate Fort Worth
Meet Demetrie King, the local app builder who is working to connect customers with local merchants so they can make sure and stock their favorite brands. Pivoting from a company that stocked vending machines based on consumer preferences, Market Match gives customers the opportunity to customize their experience at smoke shops, wedding venues, travel destinations, concerts, and more. He is also using and innovative giveaway program to incentivize users to keep sharing their preferences. Similar to the swiping functionality of apps like Tinder, Market Match gives the power to the consumer to...
info_outline #127 Jason McCann: Standing Up for InnovationInnovate Fort Worth
Nobody knows change like Jason McCann. CEO of Vari, the DFW based company revolutionizing office furniture, Jason discusses Vari's journey. From a simple sit-stand desk converter to a full-fledged office furniture leader, Vari is disrupting the industry with its direct-to-consumer model and focus on speed, simplicity, and flexibility. Jason shares his vision for the future of workspaces and wellness and Vari's role in shaping it, along with insights into his serial entrepreneur background and advice for aspiring innovators. Learn more about Vari at Learn more...
info_outline #126 Victor Hwang: The Big Picture: Your Right to StartInnovate Fort Worth
Victor Hwang is empowering entrepreneurs by improving state and local policy. As the CEO of Right to Start, he and his team are advocating for entrepreneurs in governments around the country to ensure their voices are heard. By initiating round tables and cross-country road trips, Victor is meeting and teaching entrepreneurs across the nation how to work with their local governments to inform change. Right to Start is leveling the playing field for starters, makers, doers and dreamers that are building our country. Learn more about Right to Start: Learn more about HSC...
info_outline #125 Jenny McDonald: Greasing the Skids for Fort Worth BusinessesInnovate Fort Worth
Jenny McDonald is tackling policy on behalf of entrepreneurs across the country. She is the Assistant Director of Activism and Special Projects at The Institute for Justice (IJ) and IJ’s Cities Works program, where she is meeting entrepreneurs, getting to the root of business struggles, and helping local government find solutions to those problems. Jenny shares the discoveries from the 2023 IJ report for Fort Worth around local entrepreneur’s biggest hurdles and recommendations for the city on how to overcome those challenges. Find the IJ Fort Worth report here: Learn more about...
info_outline #124 Kartik Krishnan, M.D., PhD: Killing Cancer with LuminescenceInnovate Fort Worth
Explore the future of cancer care with Dr. Kartik Krishnan, CEO of OncoNano Medicine, a biotech company revolutionizing treatment with a new technology targeting solid tumors with high precision. Dr. Krishnan will discuss their innovative approach, leveraging the immune system and CPRIT grants to fast-track impactful therapies, while highlighting the supportive role of the Fort Worth entrepreneurial ecosystem. Learn more about OncoNano here: Learn more about HSC Next at
info_outline #123 Wade Myers: Freedom Through FundingInnovate Fort Worth
Wade Myers is looking for entrepreneurs who are solving some of the world’s toughest challenges. He is the CEO of Eagle Venture Fund, a venture studio and investment firm, and they focus on opportunities that will positively impact other people. He sees innovation to tackle tough problems, like creating economic opportunities for entrepreneurs, fighting against human trafficking, and broadening healthcare access. Eagle Ventures is also innovating tools to support founders, through their Pro Forma pitch competition which allows founders to use their proprietary software to help entreprneurs...
info_outline #122 Jamie Erwin, M.D.: Birthing Innovation in Fort WorthInnovate Fort Worth
Remember that baby gorilla that was born at the Fort Worth Zoo earlier this year? Meet Dr. Ja#122 mie Erwin, the human OB/GYN that performed the rare procedure to birth a gorilla, alongside a team of experts, that made national news. Dr. Erwin shares the story of her work at the Fort Worth Zoo consulting on several different medical issues that need assistance at the zoo, and she talks about her all-female obstetrics and gynecology practice called Vivi Women’s Health. Her practice is exploring an idea to develop one of the first birthing centers that is connected to a hospital in the state....
info_outlineEvery entrepreneur knows that finding funding is difficult. And sometimes, investors want you to give away tons of equity in exchange for their capital. That’s where “America’s Seed Fund” or SBIR grants, come in! In this episode, Dr. Robert McClain, Assistant Vice President of Research and Innovation at HSC, explains his findings around the lack of SBIR grants awarded in Tarrant County. He dives into the details around why Tarrant County is not winning more of these awards, and what can be done to change this. He believes that assisting entrepreneurs to tap into these grant awards will catalyze innovation in Fort Worth.