Applications are being accepted through July 11 for the Texas AI Challenge, the first statewide pitch competition exclusively for early-stage AI startups in Texas.<\/p>\n
TXAIC offers finalists up to $100,000 in investment and services tailored to help their businesses. The live pitch event will take place Aug. 7 at SMU during Dallas Startup Week.<\/p>\n
Applications close July 11. Finalists will be announced July 31. The event is being put on by Fort Worth-based Pro-Forma and hosted by the Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership.<\/p>\n
A panel of more than 40 judges \u2014 representing venture capital, industry, and academia \u2014 will evaluate submissions and provide hands-on feedback to selected teams. Finalists will present their pitches live before an audience of founders, investors, corporate innovation leaders, and regional stakeholders during the area\u2019s annual startup celebration.<\/p>\n
Among the judges is Wade Myers, founder and chairman of Pro-Forma and general partner at Eagle Venture Fund, which invests in purpose-driven tech companies with long-term growth potential.<\/p>\n
Pro-Forma helps startups, founders, and investors better understand their finances so they can make better business decisions.<\/p>\n
A U.S. Army veteran and seasoned entrepreneur, Myers has founded, backed, or advised more than 90 companies. He has had a wide-ranging career in venture building, beginning in 1996 after early stints at Mobil and Boston Consulting Group.<\/p>\n
Learn more and apply here<\/a>.<\/p>\n New Hope Equine Appoints Susan Altshuler Program Manager<\/p>\n Susan Altshuler has been promoted to program manager at New Hope Equine Assisted Therapy.<\/p>\n Altshuler will oversee rider intake, develop individualized lesson plans, define volunteer requirements, and match riders with their perfect horse. She will continue her role as a dedicated instructor for our riders and volunteers.<\/p>\n Her journey with New Hope began as a dedicated volunteer years ago. Since earning her PATH certification in 2019, she quickly rose to become lead instructor.<\/p>\n ACU and SABR Partner to Redefine Sports Leadership and Analytics<\/p>\n Abilene Christian University\u2019s Center for Sports Leadership and Learning announced a strategic partnership with the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) during the SABR 2025 National Convention in Dallas.<\/p>\n The collaboration, unveiled by ACU Dallas Provost Dr. George Saltsman and SABR CEO Scott Bush, aims to elevate leadership and analytics education across the sports industry. Through the partnership, SABR\u2019s respected course content and certification pathways will be integrated into ACU\u2019s online academic and professional development programs.<\/p>\n \u201cThis partnership is about more than baseball \u2013 it\u2019s about bringing SABR\u2019s legacy of thoughtful inquiry and statistical innovation to a wider sports audience,\u201d said Bush.<\/p>\n The two organizations will work together to assign academic credit to SABR courses and develop new professional development offerings. Initial efforts will focus on integrating SABR\u2019s analytics training into degree and non-degree programs, with pilot courses expected to launch by late 2025.<\/p>\n Founded in 1971, SABR<\/a> is known for its deep roots in baseball scholarship and its role in pioneering data-driven thinking in the game. The partnership marks another milestone for ACU\u2019s recently launched center, which seeks to empower sports professionals through faith-based, high-performance education and applied research.<\/p>\n