Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship

Caruth Institute @ Cox

From blockchain to venture investing, the Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship provides essential insights and connections in the world of entrepreneurism. In addition, the Institute offers budding entrepreneurs a face-to-face platform to meet potential investors in the bimonthly Southwest Venture Forum. Another signature Caruth event: The annual Dallas 100 Awards, honoring the fastest-growing privately held companies in the Dallas area.

 

For 32 years, the Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship at the SMU Cox School of Business and the Dallas 100TM sponsors have celebrated area entrepreneurs’ innovative spirit, determination, and business savvy. We have saluted the diversity, creativity, and resolve it takes to create and sustain a successful business in today’s hyper-competitive environment.

 

  • 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 2-3 page 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.
    • Please submit at least 5 weeks before next forum to patekriska@yahoo.com

    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.

    The Southwest Venture Forum cordially invites you to:

    Topic: Survivor: Venture Capital Edition

    • Thursday, September 21, 2023
    • 7:00 AM Check-in/Coffee/Networking
    • 7:30 AM Plated breakfast
    • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Program
    • Location: Park City Club, 5956 Sherry Ln. Dallas, TX 75225
    • Registration will close Monday, September 18, 2023 at 5:00 PM. 

    Speaker: TBD

    Moderator: David Matthews, Founder/Managing Director

    Regular Registration

    Student Registration

    Topic: TBD

    • Thursday, November 16, 2023
    • 7:00 AM Check-in/Coffee/Networking
    • 7:30 AM Plated breakfast
    • 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Program
    • Location: Park City Club, 5956 Sherry Ln. Dallas, TX 75225
    • Registration will close Monday, November 13, 2023 at 5:00 PM. 

    Speaker: TBD

    Regular Registration

    Student Registration

    For more information, contact Nancy J. Hong at nhong@smu.edu

    Venture Capital Update: 2023 Presentation Download
    Venture Capital Update: 2022 Presentation Download
    Venture Capital Update: 2021 Presentation Download
    Venture Capital Update: 2020 Presentation Download
    Venture Capital Update: 2019 Presentation Download
    PE Independent Sponsors 5/10/18 Forum

    Learn more about SWVF

  • Joint Support in Entrepreneurship

    The Hart Institute for Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship serves as an additional guidepost for the SMU Cox community of entrepreneurial leaders. In concert with the Caruth Institute, the Hart Institute aims to lift up start-up endeavors, layering in technology and innovation expertise.  

    Click here for more on the Hart Institute.

  • The Dallas 100 Entrepreneur Awards

    For 32 years, the Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship at the SMU Cox School of Business and the Dallas 100TM sponsors have celebrated the innovative spirit, determination and business savvy of area entrepreneurs. We have saluted the diversity, creativity and resolve it takes to create and sustain a successful business in today’s competitive environment.

    Find out more at smu.edu/dallas100

  • Blockchain Program Initiative

    How will blockchain shape the future of business? In this program, students join Professor Simon Mak, who applies his technical background, global network and dot-com and open source startup experience to take on this emerging field. Together, the Cox School and the business community are advancing the theory and practice of blockchain entrepreneurship globally.

    Webinars

    Blockchain Commerce Update for Entrepreneurs and Investors 
    Offered by the SMU Cox Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship Blockchain Program Inititiative - Click here to view. 

    See more about the Blockchain Program Initiative

  • Supporting Student Success

    Caruth Institute equips students to launch and manage successful entrepreneurial ventures. Along with academic courses, student-focused programs include:

    • Blockchain Program Initiative : Explore blockchain entrepreneurship and help develop the business model of the future.
    • Cox MBA Venture Fund: Students manage investments to fund select startups developed by Cox students and alumni.

    Learn more about The Southern Methodist University Business Plan Competition

    Graduate

    The SMU Cox Graduate Entrepreneurship Club, founded in 2000, is a student-led organization dedicated to promoting innovation within the SMU community. The Cox Graduate Entrepreneurship club fosters opportunities for student club members to achieve their goals of starting and launching a viable business, exploring venture capital interest, supporting a startup, or inspiring entrepreneurial thinking. Click here for more information.

  • Webinar

    You can watch past webinar recordings here.

    SBA Loans: The Money's Gone, Now What?

    As seen on NBC Channel 5, John Terry will walk you through the process and more.  
    Speaker: John Terry

    Click here to view. 

  • Faculty

Featured Faculty

Meet the Whole Faculty