THURSDAY, AUG. 8, 2019

FIRST LOOK
Toyota's CEO on the New Experience Center: 'It's Really the Exclamation Point of Our Move Here to Texas'

The 44,000-square-foot Toyota Experience Center at the auto manufacturer's Plano headquarters is now open, complete with actual cars, virtual reality, an innovation gallery, and even human support robots. It's a representation of teamwork, company culture, talent, and the spirit of "One Toyota."

For now, it's for employees and their guests, but get an inside look here.

FOLLOW THE MONEY
Varidesk Backs Common Desk; Crossplane Capital Raises $94M; defi Solutions Merges

You'll also find news from Aspire Marketing Services, Trinity Hunt Partners, Firestone & Robertson Distilling, DFW Bitcoin, Sharp, Shermco, Texas Document Solutions, U.S. Risk, and Texas Energy Control Products in this roundup of funding, merger, and acquisition activity involving companies in North Texas.

'LONG LIVE THE BEES'
Nature Nate’s Honey Co. Launches New Education Program

Nature Nate's is fighting for its flying friends by launching their new free lesson plans, designed to show elementary age students why bees are the superheroes of our ecosystem—and how they can help.

CALENDAR
Digital Fight Club, S.H.E. Summit, Technology Trends in IoT

From technology expert battles to a global women’s empowerment conference, browse our curated selection of events to plan your next week—and beyond. You'll also find Austin Eastciders Block Party, a Dallas Tech Meetup session, and The Urban Land Institute’s August Breakfast Forum. 

PLUS

‘Go NOCO Loco:’ EarthX Urges DFW Restaurant Week Diners to Use Eco-Friendly To-Go Containers

Two college students have taken serving to the next level with the help of associates from Topgolf International, UNT Dallas, and Minnie's Food Pantry.

"A lot of us want to be successful, but we don’t always have the mentorship and strategic planning. Part of this is to increase the assets and provide for people who can make a difference."

Jaylon Smith
Dallas Cowboys linebacker
...on why he created the Indiana Showcase this summer in his hometown through his Jaylon Smith Minority Entrepreneurship Institute, a foundation aimed at helping minority entrepreneurs grow their businesses.