SMU Cox - Williams S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership

The SMU Impact Lab is hosting their biannual pitch event on Tuesday, April 1st! Discover businesses committed to creating positive change through innovative solutions across multiple sectors, including equitable healthcare, sustainable design, mental health support systems, and emerging artist platforms. We hope to see you there!

Congratulations to?Gradient Connect on this incredible achievement! Ranking #12 among AI companies on F6S is a testament to the hard work, innovation, and dedication of CEO and Founder Christian K., an SMU MBA student and President of the SMU Cox Graduate Entrepreneurship Club. We can’t wait to see the impact of the upcoming MVP relaunch!

The Spears Workshop Series wrapped up this past Saturday with a powerful finale led by Morganne Stewart on Effective Storytelling & Pitch Design. Over the course of three workshops, participants explored critical aspects of evaluating venture opportunities, refining business operations, and crafting compelling pitches, with each session building on the last to help founders sharpen their strategies. Morganne left us with a powerful reminder: “The founder and their story is just as important as the product. Make sure to show the passion you have in your pitch.” From designing visually engaging decks to structuring narratives that connect with investors, this final session emphasized the importance of storytelling in entrepreneurship. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us throughout the series. Your energy, curiosity, and commitment to growth made each session an incredible experience, and we look forward to seeing where your ideas take you next! Cheers!

Coffee with Spears?returns this Wednesday, March 19 at Herb's House Coffee, and you're invited! This monthly gathering is where students, alumni, and entrepreneurs come together to connect, collaborate, and caffeinate. Whether you're looking for fresh perspectives, valuable feedback, or new connections, Spears Coffee Hour is the place to be. Feel free to stop by anytime between 9:00 - 10:30AM. RSVP now at https://bit.ly/4bWx5GC join us for a morning of great coffee and even better conversation. See you Wednesday!??????

The?Unbridled Venture Project?challenges Full-Time MBA students at SMU Cox School of Business to transform innovative concepts into market-ready ventures, bringing bold ideas to life. This year’s teams developed minimum viable products and pitched to a panel of investors and entrepreneurs, competing for funding to take their ideas to the next level. All of the pitches were extraordinary, but please join us in congratulating our top teams! ?? First Place: Popkle?– Taezja Phelan & Kwanghyun Kim Personalized skincare that evolves with you, ensuring real-time adaptability for optimal skin health. ?? Second Place: Salubrious?– Ajay Sharma, Fabah Biji, Luke De Mario, Madiha Munaf Chagani, Dan Sanders & Rocio Castaneda Fresh, cold-pressed juice delivered straight to your door, making healthy choices more accessible for Texans. ?? Third Place: DFWX?– Thomas Kober, Alexandra Gennari, Alex Heika, Charlie Craft, Catherine Ramsey & Gavin Livingston A modern rail solution connecting Dallas and Fort Worth with safe, rapid, and efficient transit. A huge thank you to our judges for sharing their expertise and guidance: Cecilia Rios Murrieta Demetrius Washington, MBA Kyle Waldrep Bhavna Kumar Emily W. Choi The Unbridled Venture Project is more than a competition – it’s a launchpad for innovative ventures. We can’t wait to see where these founders take their ideas next! Congratulations to all on a job well done!

We’re proud to sponsor the?"Women in Venture Capital" Southwest Venture Forum?on?March 27?and would love for you to join us. Moderated by Laura Baldwin and Jen O'Neal, this special edition of SWVF will feature businesswomen reshaping the VC industry. Don't miss the chance to hear Kimmy Scotti, Lyndsey Harper, MD, FACOG, IF, and Pialy Aditya share their experiences with securing investment, scaling their ventures, and navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship. Register now to secure your spot: General Registration:?https://bit.ly/3XP9GB0 Student Registration (Discounted Ticket):?https://bit.ly/4hv0Gbh Looking forward to seeing you there!

Are you a DFW early-stage startup in need of a summer intern? Apply now for the?Spears Internship Program?for the chance to be matched with a highly motivated?SMU MBA student for the summer — fully funded by Spears! All companies who apply will be invited to the Spears Internship Innovator’s Exchange?on?April 2nd?to pitch their company and internship role to students. After the event, students will rank their internship preferences, and Spears will facilitate?five startup-student matches?for the summer. Don't miss this great opportunity to secure top-tier summer talent for FREE! ?? To ensure the program benefits early-stage ventures, companies must have revenue of less than $5 million annually and fewer than 10 employees. Apply by March 30th using to the link below to be considered. Learn more: https://bit.ly/422sq2A Apply here:?https://bit.ly/41GRxrG Joshua Taylor Morganne Stewart Bhavna Kumar

From Campus to Market in 12 Weeks. SMU students, this one is for you. Applications for the Spears Launch Accelerator close at the end of this week: Sunday, March 16. This is your chance to join a fast-paced, immersive summer accelerator designed to take your startup from idea to execution. For 12 weeks, you will be fully immersed in a startup accelerator like no other —hands-on, high-intensity, and focused on real growth.?Here's what those 12 weeks have in store: 1. Onboarding & Vision Development – Define your north star from day one.? 2. Customer Discovery – Get out of the building and into the minds of your users.? 3. MVP Sprint – Build fast. Test fast. Iterate faster.? 4. Mentor Pairings – Direct access to battle-tested entrepreneurs/industry experts.? 5. Product Refinement & Customer Pipeline – Sharpen your offering. Build traction.? 6. Storytelling Through the Pitch – Craft a pitch that investors can’t ignore.? 7. Business Models & Financial Modeling – Know your numbers inside and out.? 8. Marketing & Sales – Acquire and retain customers with real growth strategies.? 9. Funding & VC 101 – Navigate the world of investors with confidence.? 10. Legal & Cap Table Basics – Protect your startup from day one.? 11. Demo Day – Show the world what you’ve built.? 12. Post-Program Planning – Scale up. Raise capital. Keep building. This is real world execution. Don't miss the final info session this Thursday, March 13. RSVP here: https://bit.ly/3FizVcW If you’re ready to go ALL IN, apply here: https://bit.ly/3FcBMQj

Venture capital is evolving, and businesswomen play a crucial role in driving innovation, funding transformative ideas, and shaping the industry's future. Join us at SMU Collins Center for a special Southwest Venture Forum on March 27 featuring leading female investors and entrepreneurs who are breaking barriers and paving the way for the next generation. "Women in Venture Capital: Trailblazing Women Shaping the Future" will offer insightful discussions on the changing landscape of VC, firsthand perspectives from women making an impact in the field, and meaningful networking opportunities. RSVP at?smu.edu/swvf by March 20 to join what is sure to be a fantastic event! Tickets are $50 (students, yours are $35!), and all are welcome. We hope to see you there!