Southwest Venture Forum
The ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ 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:
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The opportunity and business concept.
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The existing or proposed products and, or services.
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The industry and target markets in which they will operate.
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Accomplishments of key management personnel.
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Summarized financial projections of sales, profits, and cash flows.
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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: Dallas Past & Future:
Insights from Intersections on the rapidly changes underway in the Dallas and North Texas economy and investment landscape.
Date: Thursday, October 16, 2025
Time: Check-in/Networking/Breakfast Buffet starts at 7:00 AM
Program/Keynote: 8:00 - 9:00 AM
Location: ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ Collins Executive Education Center | 3150 Binkley Ave., Dallas, TX 75205
Parking in Binkley Garage (adjacent to Collins Center)
Registration deadline: Thursday, October 9, 2025
Speakers & Podcast Co-Hosts:
Tom Lepper, Board Chairman, Former Dallas Mayor, and Co-Host of Intersections Podcast
Kyle Waldrep, Entrepreneur, Founder of Dottid, and Co-Host of Intersections Podcast
Moderator:
Dr. Emily W. Choi, Executive Director | The William S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership
Co-Host:
Josh Taylor, Executive Director | The William S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership
For more information, contact us at caruth@smu.edu