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Southwest Venture Forum
Southwest Venture Forum
In 1990, the Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship assumed responsibility for operating the Southwest Venture Forum, which had been founded by a local venture capital firm in 1984. The non-profit forum is a bimonthly breakfast meeting where entrepreneurs looking to start or expand their businesses meet with venture investors and the professional community to solicit financing and obtain advice.
Entrepreneurs present business plans or executive summaries that describe:
- 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.
Following the presentations by selected entrepreneurs, current venture financing topics are discussed by prominent investors or expert panels. Membership in the forum consists of entrepreneurs, venture investors, bankers, attorneys, accountants, and consultants working with early- and intermediate-stage growth-oriented entrepreneurs and their firms.
Dallas Startup Financing Trends, November 11, 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
The SMU Cox Southwest Venture Forum (SWVF) – Regular Attendee
Southwest Venture Forum: Venture Capital Update 2026
Date: Thursday, January 22, 2026
Time: Check-in/Networking/Breakfast Buffet starts at 7:00 AM
Program/Keynote: 8:00 - 9:30 AM
Location: SMU Collins Executive Education Center | 3150 Binkley Ave., Dallas, TX 75205
Parking in Binkley Garage (adjacent to Collins Center)
Registration deadline: Thursday, January 15, 2025
Speaker: Bobby Franklin | President & CEO, Nation
Co-Hosts:
Dr. Emily W. Choi, Executive Director | The William S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership
Josh Taylor, Executive Director | The William S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership
The SMU Cox Southwest Venture Forum (SWVF) – Student Attendee
Southwest Venture Forum: Venture Capital Update 2026
Date: Thursday, January 22, 2026
Time: Check-in/Networking/Breakfast Buffet starts at 7:00 AM
Program/Keynote: 8:00 - 9:30 AM
Location: SMU Collins Executive Education Center | 3150 Binkley Ave., Dallas, TX 75205
Parking in Binkley Garage (adjacent to Collins Center)
Registration deadline: Thursday, January 15, 2025
Speaker: Bobby Franklin | President & CEO, Nation
Co-Hosts:
Dr. Emily W. Choi, Executive Director | The William S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership
Josh Taylor, Executive Director | The William S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership
SWVF Business Card Ads (Annual)
Annual (Sept. – May)
Please email a digital business card to be included in our event handout for each event. Having your business card included in our program is another way for you to network and provide your product or services. NOTE: This fee doesn’t include your regular attendance fee; you must register to attend the breakfast event separately. Thank you!