Key Takeaways
- • Resolute Grid, a Rockwall-based provider of advanced power transformers, won the Early Stage Award at the Venture Dallas 2026 conference on Oct. 22.
- • Auger, a Dallas-based AI-enhanced supply-chain software provider, received the Growth Stage Award at the same event.
- • Resolute Grid has raised $25.4 million in outside funding and signed deals worth $327 million in its first year, according to the article.
- • Auger has raised $150 million in outside funding and counts Kimberly-Clark, Owens & Minor, Meta Reality Labs and Fanatics among its customers.
- • Venture Dallas said both winners scored highest in their categories on leadership, technology, growth potential, business performance and funding.
Summary
Two North Texas startups were recognized at the Venture Dallas 2026 conference, held Oct. 22 and attended by about 450 founders, investors and community leaders at Old Parkland, according to Dallas Innovates. Resolute Grid, based in Rockwall, won the Early Stage Award, while Dallas-based Auger received the Growth Stage Award. Venture Dallas said both companies earned the highest scores in their categories based on leadership teams, technology, growth potential, business performance and funding.
Resolute Grid was founded in 2025 by Marcus Ownby and John Erford and makes advanced power transformers. The company aims to cut transformer production time from years to weeks and to provide protection against cyberthreats and electromagnetic pulses. In its first year it completed its first large-scale power transformer, raised $25.4 million in outside funding and signed deals worth $327 million. The company says its U.S.-made transformers are designed to lower the cost of power.
Auger was founded in 2024 by former Amazon executive Dave Clark and his wife, Leigh Anne Clark. The company develops AI-enhanced software that connects business systems to help companies manage supply chains. In August, Auger relocated from Seattle to Dallas, which Venture Dallas attributed to the region's supply-chain talent, proximity to customers and central location. Auger has raised $150 million in outside funding, and its customers include Irving-based Kimberly-Clark, Houston-based Owens & Minor, Meta Reality Labs and Fanatics. Leigh Anne Clark said in a LinkedIn post that the World Economic Forum had invited Auger to join its Unicorn Community, which recognizes privately held companies valued above $1 billion.
Venture Dallas connects emerging technology startups with early-stage investors and venture capital firms. Bryan Chambers, co-founder of Venture Dallas and co-founder and president of Austin-based Capital Factory, said the companies embody the innovation shaping North Texas. Aaron Pierce, another Venture Dallas co-founder, said the two companies address distinct challenges, from energy infrastructure to supply-chain operations.
Resolute Grid was founded in 2025 by Marcus Ownby and John Erford and makes advanced power transformers. The company aims to cut transformer production time from years to weeks and to provide protection against cyberthreats and electromagnetic pulses. In its first year it completed its first large-scale power transformer, raised $25.4 million in outside funding and signed deals worth $327 million. The company says its U.S.-made transformers are designed to lower the cost of power.
Auger was founded in 2024 by former Amazon executive Dave Clark and his wife, Leigh Anne Clark. The company develops AI-enhanced software that connects business systems to help companies manage supply chains. In August, Auger relocated from Seattle to Dallas, which Venture Dallas attributed to the region's supply-chain talent, proximity to customers and central location. Auger has raised $150 million in outside funding, and its customers include Irving-based Kimberly-Clark, Houston-based Owens & Minor, Meta Reality Labs and Fanatics. Leigh Anne Clark said in a LinkedIn post that the World Economic Forum had invited Auger to join its Unicorn Community, which recognizes privately held companies valued above $1 billion.
Venture Dallas connects emerging technology startups with early-stage investors and venture capital firms. Bryan Chambers, co-founder of Venture Dallas and co-founder and president of Austin-based Capital Factory, said the companies embody the innovation shaping North Texas. Aaron Pierce, another Venture Dallas co-founder, said the two companies address distinct challenges, from energy infrastructure to supply-chain operations.
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