Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship

Caruth Institute @ Cox

From blockchain to venture investing, the Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship provides essential insights and connections in the world of entrepreneurism. In addition, the Institute offers budding entrepreneurs a face-to-face platform to meet potential investors in the bimonthly Southwest Venture Forum. Another signature Caruth event: The annual Dallas 100™ Awards, honoring the fastest-growing privately held companies in the Dallas area.

For 34 years, the Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship at the SMU Cox School of Business and the Dallas 100™ sponsors have celebrated area entrepreneurs’ innovative spirit, determination, and business savvy. We have saluted the diversity, creativity, and resolve it takes to create and sustain a successful business in today’s hyper-competitive environment.

The 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 Nancy J. Hong at nhong@smu.edu.

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: Insights on Texas’ Innovation and Growth for All

Date: Thursday, November 21, 2024
Time: Check-in/Coffee/Networking starts at 7:00 AM
Breakfast at 7:30 AM
Program from 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Location: SMU Cox Business School - ECOX1248: EY Gallery ---Easy parking on Bishop Boulevard
Registration deadline: Monday, November 18, 2024

Regardless of whether you lean red or blue, the upcoming Southwest Venture Forum promises an enlightening look at the economic and policy shifts that could shape Dallas, Texas, the U.S., and beyond.

Join us for a deep dive into new frontiers in innovation, investment, and entrepreneurship in Texas, covering:

  • The Texas Stock Exchange: What will this mean for business growth?
  • Texas’ Top 10 Global GDP Ranking and strong outlook for growth.
  • Proposed Import Tariffs—feasibility, likely implementation, and potential impact.
  • The Office of Government Efficiency, with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy at the helm: What’s realistic?

Following these thought-provoking discussions, engage in an audience Q&A to explore these topics further.

We’re honored to feature Tom Leppert and Dan Branch as speakers. With a unique blend of government and business insight, Mr. Leppert—former White House Fellow, Dallas Mayor, investor, and seasoned CEO—brings a wealth of experience across industries. Mr. Branch, a partner at Winstead Law Firm, has over 30 years of expertise in business law and legislative leadership, having served as both Secretary and Chairman of the Texas Public Finance Authority and a representative in the Texas Legislature.
Don’t miss this chance to gain valuable insights into Texas’ future from two experts whose perspectives bridge the worlds of business and policy. Join us at the Southwest Venture Forum!

Speakers:
Dan Branch, Shareholder at Winstead, PC, and a Former member of the Texas House of Representatives

Thomas Leppert, Accomplished high profile, leader in both the private and public sector & the former Mayor of the City of Dallas.  
 
Moderator: John Terry, President of ChurchillTerry, Managing Partner at Verist Capital Management & Adjunct Professor at SMU Cox School of Business

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

Venture Capital Update Downloads

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.  

Learn more about the Hart Institute

The Dallas 100 Entrepreneur Awards

View of Dallas, Tx from the Fincher buildingFor 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

Supporting Student Success

Caruth Institute equips students to launch and manage successful entrepreneurial ventures. Along with academic courses, student-focused programs include: 

  • Blockchain Program Initiative : Explore blockchain entrepreneurship and help develop the business model of the future. 

  • Cox MBA Venture Fund: Students manage investments to fund select startups developed by Cox students and alumni. 

Graduate Entrepreneurship Club

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. 

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

 


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Featured Faculty

Gordon Walker

Gordon Walker

Bobby B. Lyle Professor of Entrepreneurship and Chair of the Strategy and Entrepreneurship Group

Dr. Walker arrived at Cox with a sterling academic track record, including teaching positions at MIT, the Wharton School and Yale. He has published in leading academic journals and is the author of Modern Competitive Strategy. Global companies have tapped Dr. Walker’s expertise as a business strategist and consultant. He has garnered accolades for his teaching, including a nod from Business Week magazine.

See Gordon Walker's Full Bio
Simon Mak

Simon Mak

Director

Hailed as a visionary and "startup evangelist" by the Dallas business community, Dr. Mak left Silicon Valley to help manage Cox's internationally ranked entrepreneurship program. His IPO experience flavors his approach to teaching entrepreneurial skills to both students and executives. When he’s not in the classroom, Dr. Mak researches and publishes about strategic thinking, business modeling, lean launch, innovation/ideation, corporate entrepreneurship and blockchain entrepreneurship. He is also the recipient of Cox’s Teaching Innovation Award.

See Simon Mak's Full Bio