MassChallenge, ranked the No. 2 accelerator in the U.S. by TIME and Statista, is deepening its commitment to Dallas, establishing the city as its second U.S. headquarters and expanding its work to help more founders turn breakthrough ideas into companies that can reach the market and scale.
The next chapter of MassChallenge’s work in North Texas is supported by a renewed two-year grant from Lyda Hill Philanthropies, building on five years of collaboration since Pegasus Park opened.
Since 2022, MassChallenge has delivered accelerator programming in Dallas, connected founders with experts and industry leaders, convened the innovation community through dozens of events, and created new opportunities for companies from North Texas and around the world to engage with the region.
That work is growing.
Through the renewed partnership, MassChallenge will expand commercialization-focused programming at Pegasus Park, with a particular focus on helping founders navigate the technical, regulatory, and commercial milestones that can determine whether promising innovation reaches the market.
Two intensive, ten-week early-stage Accelerators in Health & Life Sciences and Security & Resiliency will connect founders with the expertise, partners, and networks they need to move their companies forward. Founder Access Clinics will give earlier-stage founders opportunities to pressure-test their paths to market with academic, clinical, corporate, and industry stakeholders.
“Dallas has extraordinary strength in research, industry and capital, and we’re proud to be part of building a leading life science and biotechnology ecosystem here,” said MassChallenge CEO Cait Brumme. “We’re grateful that Lyda Hill Philanthropies’ renewed support allows us to continue the long-term work of accelerating high-potential biotechnology companies and contributing to the ecosystem of support around them.”
Building on North Texas momentum
MassChallenge’s growth in Dallas comes alongside significant momentum across the region.
Since 2022, Texas-based applications to MassChallenge national programs have grown more than fivefold, while attendance at MassChallenge innovation events in the region is approaching 1,000 annually.
The broader North Texas life sciences ecosystem is expanding as well. The Dallas Regional Chamber recorded 14 life sciences corporate locations or expansions across Dallas-Fort Worth in 2025 alone. Companies that started, expanded, or relocated to the region with support from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas have gone on to raise more than $2 billion in direct follow-on funding.
At Pegasus Park, BioLabs filled its shared laboratory space in just 15 months, far ahead of its projected five-year timeline. That demand contributed to the development of Bridge Labs, which opened on the campus in 2024 with 135,000 square feet of growth-stage laboratory space. Pegasus Park is also home to one of three national hubs for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health.
“Lyda Hill Philanthropies has long believed that North Texas has the scientific talent, institutions and ambition to support a world-class life sciences ecosystem,” said Nicole Small, CEO of Lyda Hill Philanthropies and CEO of LH Capital. “The growth we’ve seen across the campus and the region reinforces what is possible when we invest for the long term, and this renewed partnership with MassChallenge will help more founders and companies build, grow and succeed here.”
Bringing the innovation community together
The renewed partnership will also support INNOVATE ’26, MassChallenge’s flagship Dallas convening, taking place November 17 at Pegasus Park.
The event will bring together founders, corporate leaders, investors, experts, and members of the North Texas innovation community to explore the ideas and partnerships shaping what comes next.
For MassChallenge, the expanded Dallas presence represents both a continuation of the work already underway and an investment in what the region can become: a place where exceptional science, technology, talent, and industry come together to turn ambitious ideas into real-world impact.
What’s next in Dallas?
Join MassChallenge at INNOVATE ’26 on November 17 at Pegasus Park, bringing together founders, corporate leaders, investors, experts, across the innovation community. Learn more about INNOVATE ’26.
For the complete announcement and additional details on MassChallenge’s renewed partnership with Lyda Hill Philanthropies, read the full press release.