Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship

Southwest Venture Forum

The SMU Cox Southwest Venture Forum (@smucoxswvf) is a public bi-monthly breakfast meeting where the Dallas venture community comes together to network and gain insights into different venture financing topics that are timely and relevant to the management of their portfolio of investments and fund strategy and operations. In 1990, the Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship assumed responsibility for operating the Southwest Venture Forum, founded by a local venture capital firm in 1984.
Entrepreneurs are also selected to present their business plans at each meeting to attendees. If you are interested in presenting, you must submit to the selection committee as follows:
A two to three-page business plan or executive summary that describes:

• The opportunity and business concept.
• The existing or proposed products and, or services.
• The industry and target markets in which they will operate.
• Accomplishments of key management personnel.
• Summarized financial projections of sales, profits, and cash flows.
• What they are seeking in terms of financing to build their company.

Please submit at least five weeks before the following forum to patekriska@yahoo.com.

Following the presentations by selected entrepreneurs, prominent investors or expert panels discuss current venture financing topics. Attendees in the forum consist of venture investors, entrepreneurs, bankers, attorneys, accountants, and consultants working with early- and intermediate-stage growth-oriented entrepreneurs and their firms.

The Southwest Venture Forum cordially invites you to:

Topic: Women in Venture Capital

Speakers: Jesse Draper, Co-Founder, Halogen Ventures & Kelly Ann Winget, Alternative Wealth Partners, LLC
Moderators: Laura Baldwin, Managing Director, Golden Seeds, and President, Waco Bend Asset Management, Ltd. & Jennifer Oneal, VP, EPIQ Capital Group

Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024
Time:

• 7:00 AM Check-in/Coffee/Networking
• 7:30 AM Plated breakfast
• 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Program

Location: Park City Club, 5956 Sherry Ln. Dallas, TX 75225

Registration will close Monday, March 18, 2024 at 5:00 PM. 

Regular Registration

Student Registration

For more information, contact us at caruth@smu.edu

Topic: TBD, May 2024

Speaker: TBD
Moderator: Bill Rolley, Managing Director & Middle Market Team Lead at Texas Capital Bank

Date: Thursday, May 16, 2024
Time:

• 7:00 AM Check-in/Coffee/Networking
• 7:30 AM Plated breakfast
• 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Program

Location: Park City Club, 5956 Sherry Ln. Dallas, TX 75225

Registration will close Monday, May 13, 2024 at 5:00 PM. 

Registration Opens Soon

For more information, contact us at caruth@smu.edu

Learn more about SWVF

Joint Support in Entrepreneurship

The Hart Institute for Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship serves as an additional guidepost for the SMU Cox community of entrepreneurial leaders. In concert with the Caruth Institute, the Hart Institute aims to lift up start-up endeavors, layering in technology and innovation expertise.  

Click here for more on the Hart Institute.

The Dallas 100 Entrepreneur Awards

For 32 years, the Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship at the SMU Cox School of Business and the Dallas 100TM sponsors have celebrated the innovative spirit, determination and business savvy of area entrepreneurs. We have saluted the diversity, creativity and resolve it takes to create and sustain a successful business in today’s competitive environment.

Find out more at smu.edu/dallas100

Blockchain Program Initiative

See more about the Blockchain Program Initiative

Supporting Student Success

Graduate

The SMU Cox Graduate Entrepreneurship Club, founded in 2000, is a student-led organization dedicated to promoting innovation within the SMU community. The Cox Graduate Entrepreneurship club fosters opportunities for student club members to achieve their goals of starting and launching a viable business, exploring venture capital interest, supporting a startup, or inspiring entrepreneurial thinking. Click here for more information.

Webinar

You can watch past webinar recordings here.

SBA Loans: The Money's Gone, Now What?

As seen on NBC Channel 5, John Terry will walk you through the process and more.  
Speaker: John Terry

Click here to view. 

Faculty