Innovate Fort Worth

From his early years at TCU investing in real estate and flipping houses to buying large industrial complexes, Chris Powers has built himself into of the largest real estate moguls in Fort Worth. On this episode, he tells the story of how he grew his real estate business through Fort Capital from residential to commercial and industrial, and he shares how he started his podcast, The Fort with Chris Powers. Listen to his advice in thinking big and remaining hyper focused on niche markets. This episode is a part of a LIVE podcast recording for Global Entrepreneurship Week Fort Worth.

It all started with tequila. Rikki Kelley, Founder and CEO of EGO Tequila, shares her story of how she went from wanting to own her own business as a child to launching her own brand of tequila. She shares her experiences in making high quality sipping tequila, launching during a global pandemic and the lessons she learned through starting her own business.

After a career in technology, Edward Morgan was always thinking about advanced technologies that he could bring to market. When the electric car industry boomed, he saw an opportunity to improve the market for home and commercial charging stations and Revitalize Charging Solutions was born. His newest product, a dual charger for home use, was recently approved for UL certification. He also shares his vision of giving back to the community by someday turning into a venture capitalist himself.

He is the football player turned venture investor who is making a difference in North Texas. Benjamin Vann from Impact Ventures is removing barriers to capital for women and entrepreneurs of color through inclusive entrepreneurship. Through his work, he aims to tackle real world problems by making sure every entrepreneur has a chance to succeed and bring their dreams to reality, no matter their circumstances.

Dr. Brian Dixon is no stranger to startups. He is solving the problems that he is personally facing as a mental health care provider by starting several companies to fill the gaps that he sees in his own industry. With a vision that everyone should be able to access mental health care, Dr. Dixon is innovating the psychiatry industry by creating startups like Gide, SimplyPsych and Forward Together. He also shares how he wants to make Fort Worth a “Feel Good City” by connecting mental health providers in a single space.

Linkedin meets Match.com…for nonprofits? That is what Pam Cannell set out to do with BoardBuild, a platform designed to educate, match and strengthen board members for non-profits. Pam shares her vision for using innovative technology and education to strengthen non-profits in Fort Worth and around the country.

Mike Berry, the President of the Hillwood Group, knows a thing or two about innovation. As the leader of the Mobility Innovation Zone at Alliance and as the man behind the largest in-land port, he shares how drones, robots and autonomous vehicles are changing the way that freight moves from warehouses to our homes.

The Grand Berry Theater, in Fort Worth’s Foundry District, celebrates art and culture through movies. Jimmy Sweeney, owner of The Grand Berry Theater and co-host of the 817 Podcast, is an entrepreneur who loves cinema and wants to share his love for movies by showing passion project films. Sweeney discusses why Fort Worth needed an independent theater, how The Grand Berry battled the pandemic and streaming platforms, and the revitalization of The Foundry district.

One of DFW’s best kept secrets is Gore Range Capital. Ethan Rigel is the founding partner of Gore Range, a venture capital firm focusing on skin innovation. Ethan explains how he became an investor, why they moved Gore Range from New York to Southlake, and what he is looking for in companies before he invests.

If you are an entrepreneur in DFW, then you know about Tech Fort Worth. And Hayden Blackburn is at the center of it all. TechFW supports entrepreneurs through various programs, like an accelerator, an incubator, mentorship, and through the Cowtown Angels investing network. With big exits like ZS Pharma, Encore Vision, and Exact Diagnostics in their past, TechFW is helping connect entrepreneurs to build a strong biotech entrepreneurial ecosystem in Fort Worth today and into the future.