Officials with the UNT Next returned from a trip east with a new badge of commendation.
The startup and small business incubator and innovation center of The University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth was recognized last week as the Institutional Investor of the Year by The DEC Network, which hosted its annual State of Entrepreneurship on Thursday at Vouv in Addison.
The DEC
Stella Robertson
The award recognizes an investment firm accelerating startups through capital and guidance.
Winners were selected through voting from more than 4,000 community members, The DEC said.
“We're very honored and humbled,” said Kendel Rogers, an outreach specialist at UNT Next. “We were among great candidates and nominees. We're just so happy that we were recognized for serving our clients and we want to continue supporting their success and others within the DFW community.”
The State of Entrepreneurship, sponsored by Bank of America, kicks off a series of events leading up to Dallas Startup Week in August.
“North Texas would not be the economic powerhouse and global business destination that it is without our diverse entrepreneur community,” said Jennifer Chandler, president of Bank of America, in a statement. “It is incredible to witness the State of Entrepreneurship grow year after year. Congratulations to the creative minds who took home an award and to all innovators for fearlessly contributing to our vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
The DEC Network is a nonprofit organization that supports entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses through education, mentorship, and resource access.
Two others from Fort Worth also were honored.
Stella Robertson was selected Angel Investor of the Year, which honors an angel investor providing pivotal early capital and connections. Last year, Robertson was selected winner of Fort Worth Inc.’s Supporter of Entrepreneurship Award.
Of her work in the angel community, Robertson told us last summer: “I am truly honored to be able to give back to the next generation and work with amazingly smart, driven, innovative researchers as they develop their ideas into new medicines and disease treatments.”
Tamara Payne, founder and CEO of Ensemble Coworking, was tapped as Startup Evangelist of the Year, which honors one devoted to community-building among entrepreneurs, mentors and investors.
"To see them win and to have three Fort Worth winners at the State of Entrepreneurship in Dallas was really exciting," Rogers added.
Ensemble Coworking is a collaborative business community and coworking space in the Near Southside of Fort Worth. Ensemble provides an alternative workspace for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and freelancers to collaborate, connect, and get work done while being connected to a community of like-minded people.
Ensemble last year took over the work of Sparkyard, launched by HSC Next in 2019. Sparkyard is designed to spur growth within Fort Worth’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by connecting companies to the right resources.
“The DEC Network was honored to convene the local entrepreneurial community to recognize the best of the best within our ecosystem,” said Bill Chinn, CEO of The DEC Network. “All nominees were community-nominated and community-voted, with record breaking numbers this year.”
List of Winners
- Corporate Supporter of the Year, celebrates an organization actively supporting entrepreneurship across DFW through mentoring, funding and resources: Texas Woman's University Center for Women Entrepreneurs
- Institutional Investor of the Year, which recognizes an investment firm accelerating startups through capital and guidance: The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
- Angel Investor of the Year, which honors an angel investor providing critical early capital and connections: Stella Robertson, Cowtown Angels
- High-Growth Entrepreneur of the Year, honors an established innovator demonstrating impressive expansion for 7-plus years: Jenica Oliver, Blueprint Marketing Group & DFW CPG
- Rising Entrepreneur of the Year, distinguishes an exceptional founder running a startup for less than 7 years: Brieanna Lightfoot Smith, Brands by Brie
- Student Entrepreneur of the Year, highlights an undergraduate or graduate student running a promising venture : Kirstin Green, Kirstin’s Care, LLC
- Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, recognizes a woman business leader advancing innovation while empowering others: Tara Franklin, Precious Kargo Academy
- BIPOC Entrepreneur of the Year 2024, which celebrates a standout Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color founder making strides in the community, Tiffany Jones Lewis: TJL Collection
- Startup Evangelist of the Year 2024, which honors an influential champion devoted to community-building among entrepreneurs, mentors and investors: Tamara Payne, Ensemble Coworking and Sparkyard