While still planning to work closely with the chamber, the split into a 501(c)(6) nonprofit is part of an effort to support the growing, diversifying technology industry within Richardson and beyond, Tech Titans Executive Director Paul Bendel said.
“We want to grow with the industry, and in order to do it, we need to expand a little bit because the industry we represent is regional,” Bendel said. “This gives us an opportunity to build upon what we have done ... and grow into an organization that can help drive the conversation within the tech community here in Dallas-Fort Worth.”
What’s happening?
Formerly called the Metroplex Technology Business Council, the organization has grown from four members largely focused on the telecommunications industry to having more than 150 members of various sizes and industry. Its mission is to “connect the technology community to collaborate, share and inspire creative thinking across the region,” according to a news release.
With the split from the chamber, Tech Titans will be in a better position to add more targeted programming and networking events that address growing sectors of the tech industry, in addition to allowing it to have a more regional approach and attract members from across North Texas, Bendel said.
“One of the things that we want to do is to be able to connect with our members, to be able to stay ahead of what the trends are,” Bendel said. “So we could do more programs, forums, discussions, and have people come into those events and network and build business connections.”
Bendel added that while Tech Titans is now its own entity, the organization will continue to have a “symbiotic relationship” with the chamber by sharing offices, IT services and equipment.
“It will be exciting to see how the organization grows and evolves while furthering its mission to connect tech companies, and attract top talent and high-paying jobs to the area,” said Randy Ford, chair of the board of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce, in the news release.
The background
Started in 1994 as a program of the Richardson Chamber of Commerce, the Metroplex Technology Business Council rebranded to Tech Titans in 2015. Since it began, Tech Titans has grown to include members representing companies ranging from startups to Fortune 500s and local universities with around 250,000 employees, collectively.
In addition to promoting the industry and helping attract businesses to the region, the organization is also involved in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, education initiatives that have reached more than 20,000 students in the region to promote interest in the field and future workforce development, Bendel said.
As it continues to grow, Bendel added that the organization will continue meeting with members to determine new programming efforts.
“Here we are with the first quarter of 2024 over, people are going, ‘Okay, we survived the pandemic, now let's move on and create something new. Now we've got greater latitude to be able to chart our own course with it,” Bendel said. “In a few years [we want] to be one of those organizations that people think about when it comes to technology, and get to the point where we can really make a difference in how the industry grows and what we do for our members.”
