New 6,000-square-foot hub marks next phase of McKinney’s innovation-led economic development strategy
McKINNEY, Texas (Feb. 12, 2026) — The McKinney Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) has announced the launch of the McKinney Innovation Exchange, a new hub designed to accelerate startup growth, attract investment capital, and further position McKinney as a leading innovation center in North Texas.
The McKinney Innovation Exchange represents the next evolution of MEDC’s Innovation Fund, a non-dilutive funding program launched in 2020 to support early-stage companies. Since its inception, the Innovation Fund has supported more than 50 portfolio companies, evaluated hundreds of startups annually, and contributed to business relocations, job creation, and capital investment in McKinney.
With the creation of the Innovation Exchange, MEDC is expanding beyond a grant-based model to build a more comprehensive innovation ecosystem that supports companies throughout their full business lifecycle — from early development to scale-up.
Located in District 121 alongside MEDC’s offices, the 6,000-square-foot facility is expected to open later this year. The space will serve as a collaborative environment where founders, investors, corporate partners, and ecosystem organizations can work together to pilot new technologies and grow high-potential companies.
The Exchange integrates several components of MEDC’s “12 Pillars of Innovation,” including:
- The MEDC Innovation Fund
- Advisory and mentorship networks
- Workforce development initiatives
- Corporate and industry partnerships
- Future investment strategies
Together, these resources create a connected platform to support innovation-driven business development.
“The Innovation Fund demonstrated that McKinney can attract strong founders and deliver measurable economic impact,” said Troy Billett, Project Manager for Innovation at MEDC. “The Innovation Exchange builds on that success by giving companies a place to collaborate and scale while creating stronger pathways to capital, talent, and customers. It represents a major step forward for the program and for McKinney’s innovation economy.”
Since 2020, MEDC’s innovation initiatives have helped attract both domestic and international startups while connecting entrepreneurs to global networks such as Plug and Play and Web Summit. The Innovation Exchange provides a permanent home for these relationships and supports a more scalable model for innovation-focused economic development.
Looking ahead, MEDC plans to expand programming, strengthen partnerships with universities, attract additional venture capital participation, and develop workforce pipelines aligned with high-growth industries.
According to MEDC President and CEO Michael Kowski, the initiative aligns closely with McKinney’s long-term economic strategy.
“The McKinney Innovation Exchange reflects years of learning and measurable results from the Innovation Fund,” said Kowski. “It positions McKinney not only to attract innovative companies but to retain them, help them scale, and connect them to a broader economic engine that benefits our residents and business community.”
Additional details about the McKinney Innovation Exchange and MEDC’s innovation initiatives will be announced in the coming months.
