What Can Startup DFW Do For You?

When the Startup America initiative was announced just over a year ago, many cheers could be heard througout the entrepreneur world. Then, as Startup Texas became a reality last November, it got a lot more interesting, considering what we write about here at LaunchDFW. Now, finally, the Lone Star state would begin getting the recognition it deserves. At least we hope. The program is still in its infancy.

Chaired by legend Steve Case in conjunction with The White House as part of the Startup America Partnership,

founding partners Kauffman Foundation and Case Foundation will provide initial funding and throw their considerable weight behind supporting all things entrepreneurship. The main goals are to create, retain, and attract more high growth companies and create more jobs in the area. By providing assistance and mentorship, the plan is to right the economy ship that has been crippled, but finally showing signs of recovery.

John Price, CEO of Vast.com and one of the leaders of the Startup Texas effort, says “We have the pieces, but it hasn’t gelled yet. We’ve never really come together as a group of entrepreneurs, angel investors and incubators to collectively move this entrepreneurial spirit of Austin forward.”

So what does all of this have to do with DFW, you ask? The Dallas chapter, Startup DFW, has key initial partnerships with the Dallas Regional Chamber and the North Texas RCIC.

Says Startup America CEO Scott Case, “We are excited that Startup DFW has launched as a part of the Startup Texas Region. We are encouraged to see the collaborative spirit that the DFW Metroplex is demonstrating as an example of how the entire state of Texas will work together to facilitate resources, relationships, and benefits to its thriving entrepreneurial community.”

Local Startup DFW Co-Chair Jason Ilian (also CEO of Rethink Books) announced “The DFW area is a hotbed of entrepreneurial activity, from new technology startups to Fortune 500 corporations encouraging innovation in their current businesses. We believe now is the perfect time to inject the resources, relationships, and capital that Startup DFW can provide.”

Adds Startup DFW Co-Chair Trey Bowles, “I am confident that by fostering a collaborative ecosystem through a solid network of resources, availability of capital and a strong community of entrepreneurial leaders that Startup DFW will propel the growing entrepreneurial community in DFW to a global stage.”

The Startup America Partnership just recently announced that it has rebranded from www.StartupAmericaPartnership.org to the short, memorable web address S.co, making it easier than ever for startups to find the site and register. Thanks to a new partnership with .CO Internet, registered Startup America firms can now also acquire their very own .CO domain name at no cost for one full year.

Startup America already has a presence in 17 states across the country and has secured over $1.2 Billion in private sector commitments from more than 50 partners to provide resources for startups in five key areas: Talent, Services, Expertise, Customers and Capital classification.

Some critics are saying this partnership isn’t going far enough to support small businesses, claiming there would be more value if more capital was added directly into the community and businesses themselves. It’s still too early to observe the success of this program on the local level. We’ll have to see how everything plays out over the next several months. Please reach out to us if you have a success story to tell or a challenge relating to this program.

One thing we ought to make clear. Even though this publication is primarily tech-centric, the Startup America effort is not just for tech companies. So if you’re an avid reader, but own a boutique or lifestyle business that’s not specifically technology in nature, you can still benefit from this offering.

For more info on Startup America and to register, click here.

To get involved with Startup Texas and Startup DFW communities throughout North Texas, young companies, entrepreneurial leaders and potential partners should visit startuptx.us and startupdfw.org.

The local team just wrapped up a meeting in Austin with Scott Case & company to discuss plans for Texas and their presence next month at SXSW. You can follow Startup DFW on Twitter at @StartupDFW