$20,000 Innovation Fund grant will power a year of convening connecting McKinney to the region’s AI founders, investors, and civic leaders
MCKINNEY, TX, UNITED STATES, October 26, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The McKinney Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) today announced a $20,000 grant through its Innovation Fund to North Texas AI Inc. (NTXAI), a McKinney-based nonprofit, to launch the North Texas AI Innovation Series. Over the next year, the series will convene AI founders, builders, investors, businesses, universities, and civic partners from across the region, with measurable connections back to McKinney’s growing innovation economy.
The MEDC Innovation Fund is the organization’s strategic investment vehicle for backing high-growth, founder-led companies and programs that strengthen McKinney’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, pairing capital with hands-on connections to the city’s business and civic community. This grant extends that work beyond a single company to an entire regional network of AI builders.
“The Innovation Fund is about connecting builders and identifying the next businesses McKinney needs to be backing,” said Troy Billett, Managing Director of the McKinney Innovation Exchange. “NTXAI has already shown it can do exactly that, bringing the region’s AI founders together in a way that turns into real, fundable companies.”
North Texas AI is a regional nonprofit coalition built to connect the people building the future of AI in North Texas, with a mission to make the region the world’s leading hub for applying AI to real business and industry. Founded by Josh Stone, NTXAI brings together founders, engineers, investors, and civic leaders working at the intersection of applied AI and industry.
“My relationship with MEDC goes back many years, and this grant lets us do even more of what we believe in: bringing the people building AI in North Texas into a room together. It means we can host more of these events, make more connections, and help more AI builders grow their businesses right here in McKinney,” said Josh Stone, Founder of North Texas AI.
Under the partnership, NTXAI will organize 12 in-person Innovation Series convening over the coming year, with at least two hosted in McKinney, pairing registration, staffed networking, and structured follow-up designed to surface real connections for McKinney businesses and prospects for the MEDC Innovation Fund. NTXAI will recognize MEDC as a Founding Strategic Partner throughout the series, with a seat reserved for an MEDC representative on its program advisory board.
The partnership adds to MEDC’s broader push to build out McKinney’s innovation ecosystem, including the upcoming McKinney Innovation Exchange, a physical hub opening later this year for founders, investors, mentors, and corporate partners to collaborate on the region’s next wave of growth.
About North Texas AI Inc.
North Texas AI Inc. is a McKinney-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit and regional coalition for builders, connecting the founders, engineers, investors, and civic leaders working to apply artificial intelligence to real business and industry across North Texas. Learn more at ntxai.org.
About McKinney Economic Development Corporation
The McKinney Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is dedicated to promoting economic growth, supporting business expansion, and fostering innovation in McKinney, Texas. Through strategic investments like the Innovation Fund, MEDC partners with high-potential companies and programs to drive job creation, capital investment, and long-term community impact. Learn more at mckinneyedc.com.
Erik Woodward
North Texas AI
+1 832-331-5621
erik@ntxai.org
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