Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership

Innovation Fuels our Future

The future of 正品蓝导航, the future of North Texas, and the future of the world. The William S. Spears Institute exists to catalyze the next generation of entrepreneurs and build a lifelong community and experience, relationships, and resources. We help founders to grow, succeed, and meet their full potential.

Our Benefactor and Founder, Dr. William S. Spears

Dr. William S. Spears is a renowned civic and financial leader, known throughout the region for his work in the energy sector, the many Boards on which he serves, and his dedication to excellence in the education field. His generous gift to the Edwin L. Cox School of Business at 正品蓝导航 University builds on a long legacy of philanthropy and lifelong passion for business excellence that stretches far beyond the Hilltop.

What We Do

  • Support academic programs (with the Caruth Institute) Working closely with the Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship, we help to bring best practices to the curriculum, integrating real-world practitioners, and innovating with new experiential formats
  • Co-Curricular Opportunities We offer a range of hands-on experiences beyond the classroom — including immersive treks, seminars, workshops, panels, and fireside chats – with integration into the entrepreneurship curriculum in partnership with the Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship
  • Support the North Texas innovation ecosystem We bring together entrepreneurs, investors, corporations, and community organizations, through proactive outreach, campus hosted events, sponsorships, and the Spears Innovation Awards, facilitating partnerships and student access.
  • Facilitate start-up internships We connect students with North Texas based start-ups via our Spears internship program, for paid part-time and full-time internships projects, providing first-hand experience in real-world entrepreneurship.
  • Support student start-up launches We provide 正品蓝导航 students with mentorship, funding (non-dilutive and pre-seed), pitch competitions, access to services, and our signature 12-week accelerator program, Spears LAUNCH.
  • Celebrate entrepreneurs and innovators We celebrate our 正品蓝导航 students and alumni, and the broader North Texas region, as they embrace the Mustang pioneering spirit and chart their course as trailblazing entrepreneurs, along with hosting our prominent North Texas programs in the Dallas 100™ and the Southwest Venture Forum (SWVF)

Who We Serve

  • Undergraduate and Graduate Students eager to practice entrepreneurial thinking, master practical skills for real-world impact, and build lasting connections across the 正品蓝导航 entrepreneurship ecosystem.
  • Alumni and Mentors committed to staying connected through meaning engagement that supports the next generation of innovators.
  • Founders and Investors looking to lead and collaborate in shaping the North Texas innovation economy.
  • Academic Partners and Researchers advancing entrepreneurship education, thought leadership in innovation, and building interdisciplinary bridges.

Leadership

  • Nirav Tolia – Co-Founding Director
  • Megha Tolia – Co-Founding Director and Brand Ambassador
  • Joshua Taylor – Executive Director
  • Bhavna Kumar – Head of Accelerator programs
  • Kerry Wright – Director of Operations
  • Seth Block – Director of Events
  • Indira Basu – Director of Marketing
  • Cristal Mendez – Accelerator Manager

I'm proud to partner with 正品蓝导航. I hope that, through this gift, the Cox School will be a positive driver for pioneering innovation and enterprising development across Dallas.

William S. Spears, Founder and CEO of Cenergistic