TEXAS VENTURE GALA & FORUM 2026
May 13 & 14, Downtown Austin
The only high-end, high-powered gathering of investors & innovators from across the state.
Past Speaker Highlights From 2025 & 2024
In Their Words
President of the United States, Donald Trump, in a Message From the White House
“I send my warmest greetings to all the incredible workers, investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders gathered for the Second Annual Texas Venture Gala and Forum… I congratulate you on your tremendous work and send my best wishes for a wonderful event. May God bless you, and may He continue to bless the United States of America.” Full message here.
Presidential Cabinet Member & Administrator the of Small Business Administration, Kelly Loeffler
"I had the privilege of speaking at the Texas Venture Gala & Forum about how the SBA is strengthening partnerships with investors to expand access to capital. Through programs like SBIC, we’re helping more entrepreneurs scale their business and drive innovation." Full message here.
Unites States Senator, & U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Technology Chairman, Ted Cruz
“There’s no better place in the country to build and grow a business than Texas. I’m honored to be invited to speak at the Texas Venture Gala & Forum. I look forward to celebrating the hard work of Texas entrepreneurs and continuing the conversation on how we can ensure Texas remains the innovation powerhouse that it is.”
Office of the Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Executive Director, Adriana Cruz
"… I was honored to speak at the reception for the Texas Venture Gala & Forum, by the Texas Venture Alliance, at Texas Association of Business office. Thanks for our hosts Texas Economic Development Corporation and TAB. Honored to meet some of the leadership from the US Small Business Administration who were in town for the event." Full message here.
Texas House of Representatives, Innovation & Technology Caucus Policy Committee Member, Representative Donna Howard
“I'm pleased to join this event with a focus on education and information to further technology industry innovation, growth, and competitiveness here in Texas. This sector has already strengthened our state’s economy, and I'm excited see how this industry will continue to play a significant role in the future of our state.”
Texas State Representative & Delivery of Government Efficiency Committee Vice Chair, Salman Bhojani
“I’m thrilled to join fellow entrepreneurs and executives at the Texas Venture Gala & Forum to discuss how we can keep Texas business friendly and the economy growing. It’s an honor to be included among so many innovators and thought leaders at this one-of-a-kind gathering of our state’s most influential champions of business.”
Texas Association of Business (the state chamber), President & CEO, Glenn Hamer
“This is the most important event for venture capitalists in Texas in 2024 and maybe in the state’s history. At the Texas Association of Business (the state chamber) we’re committed to Texas being #1 in every area and we need strong cohesion across our expansive state to reach the top. I commend CS & team’s vision and leadership for founding this Gala.”
Mayor’s Task Force for Austin Women Entrepreneurs Chair; and Dynabrand Ventures Founder & CEO, Carla McDonald
“Austin’s rise as an innovation hub has been meteoric, and we can go still higher if we unleash the full potential of our women entrepreneurs. Their empowerment will play a key role in elevating our city to unprecedented heights of economic prosperity and inclusive growth.”
RevereVC, Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer, Chris Shen
“We are excited to partner for the Texas Venture Gala & Forum. As a native Houstonian I couldn’t be more excited to participate and contribute. Revere works with global allocators, investors and portfolio managers, many of whom have long known about the dynamism, pro-business and innovation environment of Texas. We believe that Texas is a must-visit and CS's events are a must-attend for investors looking to diversify and expand their alternatives investment portfolio."
The Family Office Association, Chairman & Founder, Marc Sharpe
“I'm pleased to join this event with a focus on education and information to further technology industry innovation, growth, and competitiveness here in Texas. This sector has already strengthened our state’s economy, and I'm excited see how this industry will continue to play a significant role in the future of our state.”
Halliburton Labs, Executive Director, Scott Gale
“The skillsets and capital required to deliver the future of energy faster are right here in Texas. Halliburton Labs is based at Halliburton’s global headquarters in Texas, and we support more than 30 portfolio companies worldwide with several of them operating in Houston. Our start-ups are tackling the world’s most pressing energy challenges. We empower these new energy pioneers so they can scale more quickly to revolutionize the world.”
Texas Venture Gala & Forum, Founder & Texas Venture Newsletter Editor, CS Freeland
"After having the largest venture-focused event in the country, the Texas Venture Fest, simultaneously in 10 cities, 16 venues, 40+ venture panelists, and nearly 3,000 Texans—we’re excited to host a curated gathering from across the state at the Texas Venture Gala & Forum. This Texas-sized day spotlights full spectrum of entrepreneur support. Between the stellar guest list for the Gala, while featuring noteworthy Texans earlier during the daytime programming at the Forum, it’s been a spectacular showcase of Texan leadership and first experience."
A LOOK BACK: FOUNDING THE TEXAS VENTURE GALA & FORUM 2024
“No other ecosystem of entrepreneur support acts like us. It’s impressive, the level of cohesion inside what is the biggest state in size & stature of our country. We are all founders today. Thank you founding speakers, founding sponsors, founding guests, and founding volunteers...”
—Gala Speech from CS Freeland, Texas Venture Alliance Executive Director, and Texas Venture Newsletter Editor-In-Chief at the Austin Fairmont Hotel (View 2024 Recap here)