North Texas has never been more dynamic—and its leaders have never been more willing to take risks. This year’s Innovation Awards honor 80 entrepreneurs, executives, and visionaries showing what happens when a big idea meets a bold strategy.
Those honorees gathered January 15 for a private celebration at On the Levee, hosted by D CEO and Dallas Innovates, to mark a year marked by ambition, ingenuity, and forward momentum. The 2026 Innovation Awards spotlight a cross-generational class of talent shaping what’s next for North Texas. The program also honored Ross Perot Jr., inaugural Legacy of Innovation Award winner.
All finalists are recognized on Dallas Innovates and in the January/February issue of D CEO. Watch for a full photo recap and additional coverage in the weeks ahead.
Legacy of Innovation Award
Ross Perot Jr., Hillwood and The Perot Group
Ross Perot Jr. grew up watching innovation unfold as the only son of early computing pioneer Ross Perot Sr. He had a front-row seat to the birth of Electronic Data Systems, watching his father build it from their living room into one of the most influential tech companies in the world.
As chairman of Hillwood and The Perot Cos., the portfolio of organizations he leads touches nearly every corner of the modern economy: real estate, logistics, mobility, data infrastructure, venture capital, entertainment, and national policy. He brings a rare combination of entrepreneurial instinct and long-range strategic vision. But vision alone isn’t enough. “A lot of people have creative ideas,” he says. “But you’ve got to marry an idea with courage and action.” Ross has spent more than 40 years doing exactly that—starting with a daring round-the-world helicopter tour at 23 and the launch of the country’s first industrial airport in North Fort Worth.
That airport is now AllianceTexas, a 27,000-acre, $130 billion economic engine home to nearly 600 companies and a proving ground for autonomous trucks, next-generation air mobility, and some of the world’s most sophisticated logistics and e-commerce operations. Perot Jr. says he’s had a distinct advantage building his career in North Texas. “Here,” he says, “there’s no punishment for failure. You’re surrounded by entrepreneurs and risk-takers. We help each other, and we celebrate each other’s success.”
Innovation in Manufacturing and Consumer Goods
MP Materials, led by Alan Lund
In manufacturing, innovation isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about resilience, scale, and strategic independence. MP Materials is trying to rebuild a critical industrial capability on American soil, an effort that could reshape the magnetics supply chain in America. The company controls the full rare earth magnet supply chain, from mining and refining to advanced magnet manufacturing—including a massive facility in Fort Worth supplying major global partners like GM and Apple. Backed by a landmark partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense, its work is being compared to the Manhattan Project.
Innovation in Real Estate and Hospitality
AllianceTexas x SGS Studios, led by Mike Berry
In real estate, innovation isn’t just about buildings—once in a while, it’s about creating ecosystems that spark the growth of entire industries. AllianceTexas and SGS Studios are transforming North Texas real estate into a platform for high-growth creative production, bringing unprecedented scale to mixed-use development. Through the partnership, the companies are launching the largest film and production studio in Texas, catalyzing job creation and positioning the region as a national hub for entertainment, media, and related hospitality services.
Innovation in Transportation
Torc Robotics, led by Peter Vaughan Schmidt
As the freight industry looks toward autonomy, innovation must deliver not just intelligence, but safety, scalability, and trust. Torc Robots is at the forefront of advancing Level 4 autonomous trucking from research into real-world commercialization. Led from North Texas, the company’s next-generation autonomous platform combines advanced AI, large-scale simulation, and safety validation—all tested along one of the nation’s most critical freight corridors. By pairing production-ready technology with deep industry partnerships and regulatory collaboration, Torc is trying to reset the standard for the future of long-haul transportation.
