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    MOVING ON UP

    Texas rises through the ranks of most innovative states, says new report

    Natalie Harms, InnovationMap
    Mar 24, 2023 | 2:15 pm
    Outline of Texas in a light bulb

    Texas has seen year-over-year improvement on an annual list that ranks states based on their innovation economies.

    Photo via Getty Images

    The Lone Star State has again taken a step up on an annual report that ranks the most and least innovative states in the country — this time cracking the top 15.

    Texas ranked No. 15 in personal finance site WalletHub's 2023’s Most and Least Innovative States ranking. It's a steady improvement for the state, which ranked No. 16 in 2022 and No. 17 in 2021.

    The report analyzed the 50 states and the District of Columbia and how each performed across 22 key metrics, including population of STEM professionals, venture capital investment activity, number of technology companies, patents per capita, and more. The data was pulled from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Science Foundation, National Center for Education Statistics, United States Patent and Trademark Office, and other records.

    Here's how Texas performed at a glance:

    • No. 18 – for share of STEM professionals
    • No. 16 – for projected STEM job demand by 2030
    • No. 25 – for eighth grade math and science performance
    • No. 21 – for share of science and engineering graduates aged 25 or older
    • No. 13 – for share of technology companies
    • No. 31 – for R&D spending per capita
    • No. 18 – venture capital funding per capita

    For the 11th year, Texas won Site Selection Magazine's Governor's Cup, the governor's office announced earlier this year. The award, which Texas has won 19 times since its inception in 1978, recognizes the nation’s top-performing state for job-creating business relocations and expansions.

    "Texas truly is America’s economic engine, and we stand apart as a model for the nation. When choosing where to relocate or expand their businesses, more and more innovative industry leaders find themselves at home in our state," Governor Greg Abbott says in a news release about the award.

    "I congratulate the exceptional economic development teams at the local, regional, and state level who have worked so diligently to attract and retain these growing businesses and the jobs they create in diverse communities across this great state," he continues.

    The most innovative states included the District of Columbia, which ranked at No. 1, followed by Massachusetts, Washington, Maryland, and California, respectively. The least innovative state was identified as Mississippi, followed by Louisiana, North Dakota, West Virginia, and Arkansas, respectively.

    Access to quality education is a significant contributor to each state's innovation economy, the experts say in the report.

    "Investing in education, particularly K-12 but also at the University level, it is no accident that innovative ecosystems develop in states with strong education systems and research universities," says David L. Deeds, professor at the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis. "These institutions build strong capable modern workforces that attract capital, and jobs and create innovations. The benefits do not happen overnight, in fact, they take years if not decades, but consider what The UC’s or the University of Texas at Austin have meant for the development of premier innovative ecosystems."

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    Women Rule

    Carrollton CEO makes list of fastest growing women businesses in U.S.

    Raven Jordan
    May 8, 2025 | 3:30 pm
    Buzzballs
    Buzzballs
    Buzzballs' Merrilee Kick

    A CEO based in Carrollton was recently named one of the fastest-growing women-led businesses in the United States: Merrilee Kick, founder of spherical cocktail brand BuzzBallz, made the top five on nonprofit Women President Organization's 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies list.

    BuzzBallz, which is in the fourth spot on the list, was founded by Kick in 2009 and acquired by spirits company Sazerac in 2024. Following a career as a high school teacher, Kick decided to create ready-to-drink cocktails, such as martinis and margaritas, served in a plastic can rather than a glass.

    To be considered for this list, businesses must operate under the leadership of a woman, and have a minimum of $500,000 in annual revenue for each of the previous five years. Plus, they must have sustained substantial year-over-year growth, demonstrating post-pandemic recovery in industries like travel and hospitality, health and wellness, manufacturing, and food and beverage.

    The top five include:

    1. Collette led by President and CEO Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island
    2. Unite Digital led by President and CEO Stacey Coopes, based in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
    3. Embark Beyond led by Co-founder and Managing Partner Julie Danziger, based in New York City, New York
    4. BuzzBallz (Southern Champion) led by CEO and Founder Merrilee Kick, based in Carrollton, Texas
    5. Cymbiotika led by CEO Durana Elmi, based in San Diego, California

    Kick joins two other Texas business owners on the list — both in Houston — including Pamela Chambers O'Rourke, founder and CEO of Icon Information Consultants, and Tara Harmon-Kramer, owner of Meltar Supply, at sixth and 23rd place on the list respectively.

    According to a release, businesses on this year’s list collectively generated more than $7 billion in gross revenue, and employed more than 15,000 people, in 2024.

    Most of the selected companies offer remote work arrangements and parental leave, and company milestones included major contracts secured and national retailer launches.

    “With a strong commitment to innovation, purpose, and people, these companies exemplify the essential role women-owned and led businesses play in building a more sustainable and inclusive economy," says CEO of the Women Presidents Organization Camille Burns in a statement. "This recognition is more than a milestone — it’s a powerful affirmation of the transformative influence women have in shaping modern business."

    The 50 Fastest list is sponsored by J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking, and participation was open to all qualifying businesses.

    A comprehensive evaluation process then ranked all eligible companies using a proprietary sales growth formula that factored in both percentage and absolute growth, finalizing the WPO’s selection of the top 50 performers for recognition.

    Honorees will be recognized during a ceremony at the WPO Entrepreneurial Excellence Forum at The Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort in San Antonio on May 8.

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