The sharks were out on March 26, but they weren’t biting, they were listening.
Tech Fort Worth, the region’s technology and innovation hub hosted a Tech Together event featuring Shark Tank-style pitches from four local startups. The event, the first of a quarterly series, took place at Red Sanders’ Backlot Studios and Workspace at Red Productions location at 329 S. Main St. Sanders is a graduate of Tech Fort Worth’s first programs more than 25 years ago.
The four companies pitching at the inaugural event were three medical-related startups and one focused on aviation:
Bectas Therapeutics, a Houston-based company focused on precision immune therapies for the treatment of cancer, and autoimmune and metabolic disease.
Tremedics Medical Devices, a North Richland Hills-based company that has developed a stent for congenital heart disease intended for infants to children up to 14 years. The product has received breakthrough device designation from the Food and Drug Administration.
Nspire Medical Technologies, an Athens, Texas-based company that uses advanced technologies to enhance efficiency, safety and patient experience in drug delivery.
Portal Aircraft, a Mansfield-based company that designs and manufactures manned and unmanned long-range vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.
The event is a way for the nonprofit to expose some of the companies it works with to potential investors and the wider community, said Elyse Dickerson, CEO and co-founder of Eocera, also a graduate of Tech Fort Worth’s programs. Eocera is a biotech firm providing innovative ear care products.
Dickerson credits seed money from a pitch competition she won for helping get the company off the ground. Eocera now sells ear drops and sprays in more than 28,000 stores, including nationwide chains CVS and Walgreens.
“It was a game-changer,” she said.
The Tech Fort Worth event did not involve any funding, but was a way for company founders to hone their pitches for when they do have the opportunity to seek funding, Dickerson said.
“When the moment comes where you have an opportunity to pitch your business, you need to be ready,” she said.
Dickerson is also supportive of the program because she believes Fort Worth needs to nurture these local businesses.
“Fort Worth needs to be creating businesses,” she said. “It drives our economic growth. It creates jobs, creates tax dollars and it highlights the creativity of this city.”
Bob Francis is business editor at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at bob.francis@fortworthreport.org
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