Register

$250 per person

Registration includes the following:

  • Annual renewal of TUNIE membership
  • One ticket to conference
  • Lunch and networking dinner on day one
  • Breakfast and lunch on day two
  • Conference materials

SMU Cox Williams S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership and the SMU Cox Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship are proud to co-host the 2025 Texas University Network for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (TUNIE) Conference in Dallas, Texas. The TUNIE Annual Meeting is the primary gathering of Texas university entrepreneurship center directors, faculty, and leaders focused on sharing best practices in entrepreneurship education, innovation, acceleration and incubation.

On Thursday, July 24th, we will begin with the annual highlights and best practices round table from participating institutions around Academics, Outreach, Commercialization, and Competitions – followed by a networking dinner at an offsite location within walking distance.

On Friday, July 25th, conference attendees will gather for breakfast, lunch, TUNIE’s Business meeting, and a variety of sessions including a keynote, panel, and breakout workshops.

Conference Hotel and Travel Information

Hotel
The conference hotel is The Lumen Hotel, 6101 Hillcrest Avenue, Dallas, TX 75205.

To get the special conference rate, you will fill out registration form and indicate your travel dates and room preference. Our conference hosts will book your room and send a confirmation email to you. You will pay for the hotel at the time arrival.

Travel
The Conference will take place at the Collins Executive Education Center, 3150 Binkley Avenue, Dallas, TX 75205. Parking will be available, and parking logistics will be provided before arrival.

If traveling via plane, the Dallas Love Airport is 5 miles from The Lumen Hotel. The Dallas-Fort Worth Airport is 20 miles from The Lumen Hotel.

Thursday, July 24th, 2025

  • 12:00pm-1:00pm
    Welcome Lunch
  • 1:00pm-3:00pm
    Building Startup Communities- Keynote Address
    Keynote Speaker: Chris Heivly
  • 3:00pm- 5:00pm
    TUNIE Best Practices Roundtable
  • 6:00pm-9:00pm
    Networking Dinner
    Location: Bandito’s Tex Mex Cantina

Friday, July 25th, 2025

  • 8:00am-9:30am
    Session # 1: Entrepreneurship in Underserved Communities
    Guest Speaker: Bill Chinn, & Kendall Kennedy
  • 9:30am-10:45am
    Session # 2: Entrepreneurship Center Best Practices
    Guest Speaker: Holly DeArmond
  • 11:00am- 12:00pm
    Session # 3: University/ EDA Collaboration to Drive Community Opportunity
    Panelist: Local EDCs
  • 12:00pm-1:00pm
    Lunch & TUNIE Annual Membership Meeting

GALLERY OF PAST CONFERENCES

2024

2023

2022

Sign-up for our quarterly e-newsletter