About the Conference

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Texas Innovation Conference & Awards | Conference Form  

The inaugural Texas Innovation Conference & Awards will take place April 22–23, 2026, on the TCU campus in Fort Worth. The conference aims to highlight people and organizations that are turning research into real-world results. It brings together a select group of high impact innovators, including startups, researchers, and ecosystem leaders. The goal is to strengthen collaboration and accelerate commercialization across Texas.

A centerpiece of the event is the Texas Innovation Awards. These awards recognize companies and innovators who are driving innovation and economic growth in Texas. Awardees include SBIR/STTR Phase II award winners and other emerging startups. The event also features leading researchers and innovators from every R1 and R2 university in Texas, as well as investors, corporate innovation leaders, and  important ecosystem partners accross the state and region. 

Our mission is to showcase groundbreaking research, scholarship, and creative activity; highlight emerging Texas startups; and strengthen our statewide innovation network.