Recap: 5th Annual Fort Worth Investment Symposium

This year’s Fort Worth Investment Symposium convened an exceptional assembly of investors and operators across the private and public markets. Held at the Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection in Fort Worth’s Cultural District, the fifth edition of the event delivered candid dialogue, diverse perspectives, and strategic insight across five curated forums.

A Full Spectrum of Insight

The 2025 Symposium agenda featured a thoughtfully designed program exploring the evolving dynamics of capital deployment:

– Public & activist equities – A rare fireside chat with Mason Morfit (ValueAct Capital) and Dhruv Maniktala (True North) unpacked long‑term conviction and board room engagement.

– Hospitality investing – Moderated by Dupree Scovell (Woodbine Development), the conversation with Benji Homsey (Duro Hospitality) demonstrated how brand, experience and service culture drive value in hospitality real estate.

– Permanent equity & long‑hold models – A deep dive by Brent Beshore (Permanent Equity) and Chris Powers (Fort Capital) explored how patient capital and stewardship are changing the private equity playbook.

– Venture & hard‑tech innovation – Moderated by Sean Hoge (Starship Ventures), founders Ben Nowack (Reflect Orbital) and Stafford Sheehan (Project Omega) shared how aerospace, energy and industrial breakthroughs are being built at scale.

– Infrastructure & the next wave of private equity – Mike Ryan (KKR) and Chris Powers unpacked how infrastructure assets, and the capital behind them, are evolving to meet global challenges and long‑duration opportunities.

The day featured more than 200 attendees from across the country, representing institutional allocators, family offices, operating companies and alternative investment managers. This year’s format emphasized depth over breadth and authenticity over spectacle.

What Made This Year Stand Out

– Cross‑asset dialogue: Instead of isolated tracks, the program connected public equities, private equity, venture, infrastructure and hospitality to offer broad perspectives to the audience.

– Founder and operator voices: Conversation included those building companies, not just those investing. The shift in capital from traditional to operational was front‑and‑center.

– Long‑horizon thinking: Whether it was permanent equity, hard tech, or infrastructure, the tone emphasized duration, alignment and stewardship, not ‘flip’ or fast exit.

– Texas as a backdrop, globally relevant: While the event was hosted in Fort Worth, the themes resonated well beyond Texas, addressing global markets, industrial scale, and investment evolution.

We extend our thanks to all those who contributed, including our speakers, moderators, attendees, and True North team. Today’s momentum is the foundation of tomorrow. To learn more about the Fort Worth Investment Symposium, click here.