Resources for entrepreneurs are now available in Dallas’ southern sector with the opening of the Dallas Entrepreneur Center at the Southwest Center Mall in Oak Cliff. More than 450 individuals recently toured the new offices at Redbird and talked with business owners about opportunities available to help launch their businesses.

“Oak Cliff is filled with entrepreneurs who are simply looking for the space, mentorship and resources to execute their business ideas,” said Michelle Williams, executive director of The DEC. “Since we began sharing the news of The DEC @ Redbird, we have been overwhelmed by the interest and support of the community. Reimagine Redbird, UNT-Dallas and Paul Quinn College are the perfect places to pour into the human potential of southern Dallas, and we look forward to providing support to further economic development in the area.”

The DEC @ Redbird will help entrepreneurs start, build and grow their businesses. It will bring resources, tools and partnerships, including education, training, mentoring programs and events, as well as access to connections to capital and corporations.

The Innovation Hub is a part of Dallas Entrepreneur Center’s larger initiative in southern Dallas, which will include additional locations at UNT-Dallas and Paul Quinn College.

Peter Brodsky, the majority owner of Redbird, welcomes The DEC to Redbird and offers office space to house this premier incubator.

“The best part is that this idea came directly from the community after being suggested at community meetings several times,” said Brodsky. “The DEC @ Redbird is a perfect example of our efforts to provide quality amenities to the community, while also catalyzing economic growth and development in southern Dallas.”

The Innovation Hub became a reality through the collaborative effort of Dallas/Fort Worth’s leading foundations, organizations, businesses, and civic and community leaders.

Hill-Wilkson, a leading general contracting company in DFW, donated a portion of their fees to help defray the costs of the construction project.

Page donated design, engineering, planning, interiors and consulting services to create a space that drives engagement and collaboration. Varidesk also donated all desks, office furniture and office fixtures to provide an active workplace environment that is on the cutting edge and completely reconfigurable to support the changing needs of a workspace and the teams that will inhabit the space.

Corporate sponsors, including Bank of America, Comerica, Chase, Capital One and Frost Bank, provided construction and design resources, as well as programming and education to ensure entrepreneurs are provided an exceptional environment and community with year-round, best-of-breed tools and resources. Bank of America donated $200,000 to provide leadership, flexible funding and peer networking tools to help emerging startups and founders.

Additionally, the Dallas Regional Chamber has made The DEC a key part of their support of economic growth in southern Dallas. The DRC works hard to bring economic opportunities to every part of Dallas/Fort Worth, including southern Dallas, according to Duane Dankesreiter, senior vice president of research and innovation at the Dallas Regional Chamber.

“This opening is another step forward in building a stronger city for everyone,” he said. “We are excited to support The DEC @ Redbird and can’t wait to see what great companies are launched and grown there.”

The North Texas entrepreneurial ecosystem has grown substantially over the last five years, and the goal of the Dallas Entrepreneur Center and The DEC @ Redbird is to create community and a regional ecosystem where all entrepreneurs are provided with the opportunity to successfully start, build and grow their businesses.

Source http://dallasexaminer.com/news/2018/nov/18/dec-redbird-now-open-entrepreneurs/