Innovate Fort Worth
Innovation is changing Fort Worth. Start-ups and a spirit of entrepreneurship are transforming the city known for Cowboys and Culture into a hub for innovative ideas and businesses. Innovate Fort Worth shares the stories of the city’s leading innovators, entrepreneurs and investors —and highlights the resources available to bring ideas to market. Powered by UNT Health Science Center.
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#134 Techstars 2024, Part 5: ElectroKare, ReviMo & Proton Health
10/22/2024
#134 Techstars 2024, Part 5: ElectroKare, ReviMo & Proton Health
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 Mitchell Leshchiner from ElectroKare, Aleksandr Malashchenko from ReviMo, and Haroon Ahmad, M.D., from Proton Health. To learn more about ElectroKare, visit To learn more about ReviMo visit To learn more about Proton Health, visit To learn more about HSC Next, visit
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#133 Techstars 2024, Part 4: Revella & FluteSpace
10/15/2024
#133 Techstars 2024, Part 4: Revella & FluteSpace
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 Daniel Yeboah from Revella Health and Nikhil Madan from FluteSpace. To learn more about Revella Health, visit To learn more about FluteSpace, visit To learn more about HSC Next, visit
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#132 Techstars 2024, Part 3: Athlete & Gale Payments
10/08/2024
#132 Techstars 2024, Part 3: Athlete & Gale Payments
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 Alex Heaton from Athlete and Tom Griffiths from Gale Payments. To learn more about Athlete, visit To learn more about Gale Payments, visit To learn more about HSC Next, visit
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#131 Techstars 2024, Part 2: Syndicate Bio & Gisens Biotech
10/01/2024
#131 Techstars 2024, Part 2: Syndicate Bio & Gisens Biotech
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
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#130 Techstars 2024, Part 1: Nerveli & Peeq
09/24/2024
#130 Techstars 2024, Part 1: Nerveli & Peeq
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
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#129 Mark Melson: Fostering the Future of Adoption
09/10/2024
#129 Mark Melson: Fostering the Future of Adoption
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 recent acquisition, they now offer services outside of Fort Worth and have offices in Delaware, New York and Pennsylvania, just to name a few. To learn more about the Gladney Center for Adoption, visit: To learn more about HSC Next, visit:
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#128 Demetrie King: Making Markets Match
08/27/2024
#128 Demetrie King: Making Markets Match
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 get when what they want, where they want it. To learn more about Market Match, visit To learn more about HSC Next, visit
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#127 Jason McCann: Standing Up for Innovation
08/13/2024
#127 Jason McCann: Standing Up for Innovation
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 about HSC Next at
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#126 Victor Hwang: The Big Picture: Your Right to Start
07/30/2024
#126 Victor Hwang: The Big Picture: Your Right to Start
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 Next:
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#125 Jenny McDonald: Greasing the Skids for Fort Worth Businesses
07/16/2024
#125 Jenny McDonald: Greasing the Skids for Fort Worth Businesses
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 Institute for Justice here: IJ.org Learn more about HSC Next here:
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#124 Kartik Krishnan, M.D., PhD: Killing Cancer with Luminescence
07/02/2024
#124 Kartik Krishnan, M.D., PhD: Killing Cancer with Luminescence
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
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#123 Wade Myers: Freedom Through Funding
06/18/2024
#123 Wade Myers: Freedom Through Funding
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 and investors alike. Learn more about Eagle Ventures at Learn more about HSC Next at
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#122 Jamie Erwin, M.D.: Birthing Innovation in Fort Worth
06/04/2024
#122 Jamie Erwin, M.D.: Birthing Innovation in 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. To learn more about Dr. Erwin and Vivi Women's Health, visit: To learn more about HSC Next visit:
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#121 The Big Picture: Peter de Silva: Taking Stock of Entrepreneurship
05/21/2024
#121 The Big Picture: Peter de Silva: Taking Stock of Entrepreneurship
Peter de Silva is sharing his secrets on business and community leadership. After an extensive career in the banking and finance industry, Peter shares his experience on how he served his local community and helped establish Kansas City as “America’s Most Entrepreneurial City.” He also overcome the effects of a debilitating disease that he is now working to treat and raise money for research that can lead to a cure. Peter shares advice and observations in his latest book “Taking Stock: 10 Life and Leadership Lessons From My Seat at the Table” for business leaders investing in their companies, employees, and community. Learn more about Peter de Silva at Learn more about HSC Next at
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#120 Cindy Weston, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC: The Next Generation of Nursing
05/07/2024
#120 Cindy Weston, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC: The Next Generation of Nursing
When it comes to innovating the future for nurses, Dr. Cindy Weston is on the front lines. She is the dean of The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth’s new College of Nursing, launching in the fall of 2024. She shares her experience as a nurse and what it takes to build out a new nursing program to meet the statewide nursing shortage. Weston also shares how the nursing profession has changed in the past years as well as how she plans to support nurses in identifying problems in healthcare and thinking innovatively to find solutions. Learn more about the HSC College of Nursing at Learn more about HSC Next at
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#119 Chris Rawley: A Different Kind of Seed Investment
04/30/2024
#119 Chris Rawley: A Different Kind of Seed Investment
Chris Rawley is finding innovative ways to invest in local farmers. Through Harvest Returns, people can micro invest to support farmers buying new equipment or services to grow and scale their farms. With Rawley’s unique background in the military and witnessing how the agricultural industry can be improved, he is introducing new ways to invest in securing our food supplies and getting involved in their local agricultural communities. To learn more about Harvest Returns, visit: To learn more about HSC Next, visit:
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#118 Kelly Cloud: Convergence of Life Sciences Companies in DFW
04/16/2024
#118 Kelly Cloud: Convergence of Life Sciences Companies in DFW
When it comes to life science innovation in DFW, Kelly Cloud has a front row seat to it all. Kelly is the vice president of life sciences at the Dallas Regional Chamber, the organization that champions economic growth and development in the North Texas region. She shares the innovation happening with biotech companies, the future vision of the region’s economic growth, and what they are doing to foster and recruit companies in life sciences and biotechnology ecosystems. Please visit the Dallas Regional Chamber at Please visit the DFW Economic Development Guide at Please visit Innovate Fort Worth at
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#117 Mark Lambright: Flying Freight via Airships
04/02/2024
#117 Mark Lambright: Flying Freight via Airships
The future of transportation is taking to the skies. Meet Mark Lambright, the CEO of Trident Airships, the cargo transportation company that is innovating how we move products efficiently. Utilizing a hybrid lift system, Trident can enter remote locations using unseen maneuverability capabilities. Not only showcasing cutting-edge technology, Trident is reducing operating costs and carbon emissions in comparison to other cargo logistics options on the market. To learn more about Trident Airships, visit: To learn more about HSC Next, visit:
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#116 Maëlle Gavet: The Big Picture: The Global Investor
03/19/2024
#116 Maëlle Gavet: The Big Picture: The Global Investor
Maëlle Gavet, CEO of Techstars, shares insights into the world of entrepreneurship and startup investing. Techstars has invested in over 4,000 startups globally, making them the largest seed investor in the world for the second year in a row. She was recently named as one of the 100 Most Influential Women in US Finance in 2024 by Barron’s. Maëlle discusses the diverse industries ripe for disruption and Techstars' ethos of "give first." Reflecting on her entrepreneurial journey and the global economic landscape, she offers practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and highlights the role of startups in addressing healthcare challenges and shaping the future. Learn more about Techstars here: Learn more about the Techstars Physical Health Accelerator in Fort Worth here: Learn more about HSC Next here:
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#115 David Aspinall: Unlocking Opportunities for Autistic Professionals
03/05/2024
#115 David Aspinall: Unlocking Opportunities for Autistic Professionals
When it comes to diversity and inclusion in the workforce, auticon US is doing just that. David Aspinall, CEO of auticon US, shares how autistic individuals are thinking differently about solving their clients most challenging technological issues. By restructuring their hiring process, supportive job coaching and client management, autistic individuals are finding valuable careers in the workforce that fit their strengths. Learn more about auticon US here: Learn more about Innovate Fort Worth here:
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#114 Lisa Ferrand: Capping the Side Effects of Cancer
02/20/2024
#114 Lisa Ferrand: Capping the Side Effects of Cancer
For cancer patients going through chemotherapy, hair loss can be a heartbreaking reality. Lisa Ferrand, CEO of Warrior Caps, is preserving hair from chemotherapy hair loss through her cold cap technology. Her cold caps are sub-zero gel-lined “beanies” that freeze the hair follicle and increases retention of hair during chemotherapy. As a cancer survivor herself, she understands the delicate relationship that people have with their hair and how helping them preserve this sense of normalcy can help them navigate this difficult disease. Learn more about Warrior Caps here: Learn more about HSC Next here:
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#113 Brendan McGuire: Funding Tomorrow's Innovators
02/06/2024
#113 Brendan McGuire: Funding Tomorrow's Innovators
When it comes to local community impact, banks play a big role. Meet Brendan McGuire, Regional President of PNC Bank in North Texas. Brendan oversees PNC's lines of business, sponsorship, philanthropy, and branding efforts that are crucial to PNC's national main street banking model. With active roles in various local community organizations, McGuire is recognized as one of the most influential leaders in North Texas. He sheds light on PNC's national footprint, small town feel and its longstanding commitment to supporting innovation and entrepreneurship. McGuire shares insights on where he thinks the North Texas economy is headed, shares advice for entrepreneurs with crazy ideas, and provides valuable banking insights for startups. Learn more about PNC Bank at Learn more about HSC Next at
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#112 Jason Mastoris and Hardik Patel: Making Room for New Biotech Startups
01/23/2024
#112 Jason Mastoris and Hardik Patel: Making Room for New Biotech Startups
Panthera BioSolutions is a company that's reshaping the landscape of pharmaceutical and biotech innovation. Founded in 2021 by visionaries Hardik Patel and Jason Mastoris, Panthera stands at the forefront of addressing long-standing unmet needs in the industry. Their approach to include the introduction of first-to-market, ready-to-use, leasable cleanrooms in North Texas. Learn how these spaces empower local companies to seamlessly scale up to GMP standards, supporting clinical trial execution, and optimizing costs, as well as educating the future of biotech work force. Learn more about Panthera BioSolutions at Learn more about Innovate Fort Worth at Learn more about HSC Next at
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#111 The Big Picture: John Dearie: Washington D.C.'s Policy-preneur
01/09/2024
#111 The Big Picture: John Dearie: Washington D.C.'s Policy-preneur
Most entrepreneurs are too busy innovating and growing their companies to advocate for themselves in our nation’s capital. But our guest on this first edition of a new series called “The Big Picture” is working to bring the message that entrepreneurship is critical to the future of the American economy to our lawmakers and policymakers in Washington, DC. Meet John Dearie, the Founder and CEO of the Center for American Entrepreneurship, a non-profit research, policy and advocacy organization that works to achieve a policy environment that promotes new business formation, survival and growth. John shares his work at the national level with our audience and sheds light on some local issues that startups and innovators face around the country. To learn more about the Center for American Entrepreneurship, visit: To learn more about the Innovate Fort Worth podcast, visit: To learn more about HSC Next, visit:
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#110 Kendel Rogers and Rob Upchurch: Year in Review, 2023
12/12/2023
#110 Kendel Rogers and Rob Upchurch: Year in Review, 2023
The producers who work behind the scenes of the podcast join our host to look back on the year that was 2023. Kendel Rogers from HSC Next and Rob Upchurch of RobMakesPods Productions share their experiences of making Innovate Fort Worth and growing it to over 100 episodes. They also share stories of their favorite guests that stood out throughout the year. Kendel, Rob and Cameron discuss some trends in innovation that they saw this year and they reveal the top five episodes of all time. They also share a sneak peek of what is to come in 2024! To learn more about the Innovate Fort Worth podcast, visit: To learn more about HSC Next, visit: To learn more about RobMakesPods Productions, visit:
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#109 Anette Landeros: Hecho en Fort Worth
11/16/2023
#109 Anette Landeros: Hecho en Fort Worth
One of the most impactful business organizations in Fort Worth in the past 50 years is the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FWHCC). And the president who is leading that charge through innovation and intentional community programs is Anette Landeros. The FWHCC has developed new programs to better serve their membership and the Historic Northside with revitalization and activation planning. With the announcement of the Main Street America pilot program, accessible pitch competitions, Lanzar Fort Worth featuring the Kauffman Foundation’s Fast Trac program, the Hecho en Fort Worth initiative, and much more, Anette is rapidly improving Hispanic business community in Fort Worth. To learn more about the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, visit them at To learn more about Innovate Fort Worth, visit
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#108 Victoria Wise: Made Worthy Media in Fort Worth
11/15/2023
#108 Victoria Wise: Made Worthy Media in Fort Worth
What started as a digital community space for women in her community, Victoria Wise realized she was on to something that could have much bigger impact. Tanglewood Moms was the platform that helped launch the media publication Madeworthy that shares original content for family audiences in Fort Worth. Her publications have created a new source for local information that are contributing to the growing culture of Fort Worth. To learn more about Made Worthy and Tangelwood Moms, visit them at To learn more about Innovate Fort Worth, visit
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#107 Micah Stateson: One Man's Waste Removal
11/14/2023
#107 Micah Stateson: One Man's Waste Removal
When it comes to trash collection, Micah Stateson wouldn’t say it is his dream job. But owning his own business was. While working at a local defense contractor he dreamed of the day he could be his own boss. When he dove into research around multi-family trash collection, he saw an opportunity and decided to change how it was done. Through intentionality and quality service, Micah started Optimized Waste Removal and brought back the business operations and services that are lost in today’s world. He shares how he eventually took the plunge into entrepreneurship, the lessons he has learned he hard way, and how future entrepreneurs can follow in his footsteps. To learn more about Optimized Waste Removal, visit them at To learn more about Innovate Fort Worth, visit
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#106 James Simpkins, PhD: Delivering Genes to the Brain
11/13/2023
#106 James Simpkins, PhD: Delivering Genes to the Brain
Healthcare is changing every day, and AmritaGen is pioneering the discovery of a new gene therapy for treating neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. James Simpkins is the CEO of AmritaGen, a company seeking to rebuild brain circuits and stimulate neurological activity in people with mild cognitive impairment. This therapy method can be utilized for delivering drug treatments for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), sporadic AD (sAD), Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and Traumatic Brain Injury. To learn more about AmritaGen, vist them at To learn more about Innovate Fort Worth, visit
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#105 Techstars 2023, Part 5: Pulse Charter Connect and Maya AI
10/31/2023
#105 Techstars 2023, Part 5: Pulse Charter Connect and Maya AI
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 Laura Epstein from Pulse Charter Connect and Shivam Ramphal from Maya AI. To learn more about Pulse Charter Connect, visit To learn more about Maya AI, visit To learn more about the Techstars physical health accelerator in Fort Worth, visit To learn more about HSC Next, visit
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