Tech Titans Awards Recognize Innovation and Leadership

Frisco, September 19, 2025

News Summary

The 25th annual Tech Titans Awards celebrated technology leaders and innovators at the Hyatt Regency Frisco-Dallas. Key winners included CEOs from Magnit and Mynd Immersive, and the event honored contributions from various sectors, including education and community impact. JobTread was highlighted as the fastest-growing tech company for the second consecutive year. The ceremony presented a range of awards acknowledging achievements in technology leadership, innovation, and outreach, showcasing North Texas as a hub for technological advancement.

Frisco — The 25th annual Tech Titans Awards took place at the Hyatt Regency Frisco-Dallas at Stonebriar on Friday. The ceremony recognized technology leaders, companies, and educators across North Texas, highlighting major winners, innovation milestones, and community impact.

Top winners and major recognitions

Chandra Dhandapani, CEO of Magnit, won the Corporate CEO award. Chris Brickler, CEO of Mynd Immersive, received the Startup Company CEO award. Richard Benson, retired president of UT Dallas, was inducted into the Tech Titans Hall of Fame. The program honored leaders at large corporations as well as founders and executives from emerging companies.

JobTread was recognized as the fastest-growing tech company for the second consecutive year, taking home the Fast Tech award. Other innovation awards included a Corporate Innovation award and Emerging Company Innovation award to spotlight new technical approaches and services in the region.

Prodapt North America, an India-based telecom consulting company, won the Corporate Innovation award. DigitalXForce, an Irving-based startup, received the Emerging Company Innovation award. In addition to corporate categories, awards singled out promising smaller firms that are developing new products and services.

Technology leadership and other category winners

Debbie Mrazek from The Sales Company was awarded the Community Hero award. Textron’s Todd Kackley won the Corporate CIO/CTO award. Lalit Ahluwalia, CEO of DigitalXForce, was honored with the Emerging Company CEO award. Inbenta’s Merlin Bise received the Emerging Company CIO/CTO award.

Dr. David Roberson of Blackbox BioTech won the Technology Inventor award. Jennifer Sanders from North Texas Innovation Alliance was awarded the Technology Advocate title. Educational and future-focused awards included recognition for college and high school participants.

The North Texas Semiconductor Institute at UT Dallas won the Tech Titans of the Future – College/University award. Marcus Edwards from Farmersville ISD was recognized with the Tech Titans of the Future – High School award.

Event format, scope and organizational context

The event recognized more than a dozen categories pertaining to achievement in technology leadership and impact. The ceremony included an “Oscar-style” presentation format showcasing the award winners. Frisco served as the first-ever Host City Sponsor for the Tech Titans Awards.

Paul Bendel, executive director of Tech Titans, said the winners inspired others to think bigger and bolder. The Tech Titans organization represents over 300 member companies and a quarter-million tech workers in North Texas.

Why the awards matter

The Tech Titans Awards are designed to spotlight both long-standing corporate leadership and fast-moving startups. Corporate awards highlighted established senior executives and innovation teams, while emerging company awards and inventor recognition aimed to surface early-stage breakthroughs and individual technical contributions. Community and education categories underscored the importance of outreach, workforce development, and preparing students for technology careers.

Logistics and takeaways

The awards took place at a major local hotel venue and brought together corporate executives, startup founders, educators, and community leaders from across North Texas. The mix of categories and winners signals continued investment and growth in the region’s technology ecosystem, with recognition spanning corporate scale, startup momentum, inventors, advocates, and educators.

Additional details

• The 25th annual Tech Titans Awards took place at the Hyatt Regency Frisco-Dallas at Stonebriar on Friday.
• Chandra Dhandapani, CEO of Magnit, won the Corporate CEO award.
• Chris Brickler, CEO of Mynd Immersive, received the Startup Company CEO award.
• Richard Benson, retired president of UT Dallas, was inducted into the Tech Titans Hall of Fame.
• JobTread was recognized as the fastest-growing tech company for the second consecutive year, taking home the Fast Tech award.
• Prodapt North America, an India-based telecom consulting company, won the Corporate Innovation award.
• DigitalXForce, an Irving-based startup, received the Emerging Company Innovation award.
• Debbie Mrazek from The Sales Company was awarded the Community Hero award.
• Textron’s Todd Kackley won the Corporate CIO/CTO award.
• Lalit Ahluwalia, CEO of DigitalXForce, was honored with the Emerging Company CEO award.
• Inbenta’s Merlin Bise received the Emerging Company CIO/CTO award.
• Dr. David Roberson of Blackbox BioTech won the Technology Inventor award.
• Jennifer Sanders from North Texas Innovation Alliance was awarded the Technology Advocate title.
• The North Texas Semiconductor Institute at UT Dallas won the Tech Titans of the Future – College/University award.
• Marcus Edwards from Farmersville ISD was recognized with the Tech Titans of the Future – High School award.
• The event recognized more than a dozen categories pertaining to achievement in technology leadership and impact.
• The ceremony included an “Oscar-style” presentation format showcasing the award winners.
• Frisco served as the first-ever Host City Sponsor for the Tech Titans Awards.
• The Tech Titans organization represents over 300 member companies and a quarter-million tech workers in North Texas.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Additional Resources

• Dallas Innovates: Tech Titans Awards 2025
• Wikipedia: Technology in North Texas
• Dallas Innovates: North Texas Innovators Finalists
• Google Search: North Texas tech awards
• Dallas Innovates: Richardson Chamber Leader Resigns
• Google Scholar: Technology leadership

Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER

DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.