June 25, 2023
The inaugural 2023 Longhorn 100 awards celebrated the 100 quickest rising Longhorn-run companies on this planet, connecting generations of Longhorn enterprise leaders and present college students.
The occasion, held by Texas Exes on Might 18, “creates a possibility to broaden networks with enterprise leaders, encourage fellow longhorns and lift consciousness of the unimaginable entrepreneurship that begins on the Forty Acres,” in line with their web site. Chuck Harris, the CEO and government director of Texas Exes, mentioned the Longhorn 100 awards actually started about two years in the past, with the conception of the Longhorn Enterprise Community.
“I’ve lived in Washington D.C., and LA and completely different locations, and I’m at all times working my companies,” Harris mentioned. “I’ve by no means had a Longhorn that wouldn’t take my name or take a gathering. So, it simply occurred to me that we’ve a number of Longhorn founders, entrepreneurs on the market and we don’t actually have a scalable approach to join all of them collectively.”
Award winner Kristy Owen, founding father of 365 Issues Austin, mentioned she felt it was vital to search out these connections with individuals and different companies early of their careers to make sure success.
“Plenty of our group has a manner of serving to one another out and connecting rather well,” Owen mentioned. “Having the Longhorn 100 is sort of like having a golden community of those that need to see you succeed.”
Harris mentioned that such networks are “invaluable” for potential entrepreneurs. He mentioned connecting with individuals who may also help others keep away from their errors is the best present in enterprise.
“It’s cool seeing a few of these companies from UT,” occasion attendee Christian McWilliams mentioned. “I’ve met a number of individuals in my main and it’s good to see how some individuals have progressed and have made a big effect on the world round them.”
As a pupil presenter, McWilliams, an environmental science and Plan II junior, was amongst what most of the attendees thought of to be the celebs of the present.
“Simply being round college students is simply great,” mentioned Edward Charrier, co-founder, CEO and President of Fractilia. “It’s energizing. You get to see everybody’s (pleasure) about what they’re doing and the probabilities of the long run.”
For the way forward for Longhorn 100, Harris mentioned he hopes to see it collaborate extra with pupil entrepreneurship facilities and lift consciousness on the huge variety of CEOs, founders and creators graduating from the College.
“In a yr or two, we’ll have tales that say these two firms discovered one another on the Longhorn Enterprise Community or the Longhorn 100,” Harris mentioned. “(UT) is the place to return to if you wish to be an entrepreneur, founder or work with a crew of people that need to try this.”