Arlington: The North Texas Corridor Nobody's Talking About

In a recent episode of The Building Texas Show, host Justin McKenzie explores why Arlington, Texas, is quietly becoming the central hub of the North Texas innovation economy. The episode, recorded live at America's House during SXSW 2026, features Pamela Cytron, President of The Founder's Arena, who argues that Arlington—long known for its stadiums—is now the 'North Texas corridor' connecting Dallas and Fort Worth. Cytron relocated to North Texas in 2023 after years of fintech board work, and she is leveraging Arlington's geography to dismantle regional silos. She highlights how the city's central location attracts buyers, sellers, and founders, and she points to the Grand Prix weekend as a key opportunity to convene innovators. Cytron also discusses the talent pipeline fueled by the University of Texas at Arlington and the Arlington Independent School District, where The Founder's Arena recruits entrepreneur-track high school students as event volunteers. She emphasizes her open-door approach, answering all LinkedIn messages and taking cold calls, and she jokingly calls Calendly 'the worst invention of all time.' Cytron, recently named Texas Innovator of the Year at the Texas Venture Gala & Forum, envisions an 'Innovation Paddock Club' for future Grand Prix events. The episode, part of The Building Texas Show series, profiles founders and civic leaders shaping Texas's fastest-growing business corridors. Listeners can access the episode wherever podcasts are heard.