The DFW metro is becoming a major esports hub following last week’s merger. But esports isn’t the only industry making headlines. Last week, Walmart announced two new high-tech distribution facilities coming to the metro. Catch up on the latest. This is the Built In DFW weekly refresh.
Envy and OpTic launched a new esports team. OpTic Gaming and Envy Gaming, two giants in the competitive esports scene, announced they will be merging into a new team under the name OpTic Texas. Both Envy and OpTic gained fame on YouTube for their respective livestreaming of Call of Duty, Overwatch and Rocket League. The merger will allow OpTic Texas to compete in esports tournaments using the best players from both teams. [Built In DFW]
Dallas ranked third for tech jobs. A monthly report by tech educational platform CompTIA ranked Dallas third for most new tech job postings in October. Only New York City and Washington, D.C. had more job postings last month. The Lone Star State as a whole ranked second for total tech job postings and for remote tech job postings. Though the report only looks at monthly data, the findings are in line with CompTIA’s 2020 jobs summary in which the DFW metro ranked second for best tech town in the United States. [Built In DFW]
DFW TECH QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Walmart announced two high-tech distribution facilities. Over the next two years, the United States’ largest employer will build-out and open two high-tech distribution centers in Lancaster. One center will be used for online order fulfillment and the other for grocery distribution. The facilities will add a combined 1,000 full-time positions, 40 percent of which will require stem “STEM skills.” The centers are part of Walmart’s effort to automate deliveries and reduce delivery times. In the past few years, the company has invested in drones, autonomous vehicles and robotics. [Built In DFW]
Dallas Mayor appointed an inaugural Entrepreneur-in-Residence. The city of Dallas wants to attract more entrepreneurs and startups. To do so, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson appointed Nina Vaca, founder and CEO of workforce solutions startup Pinnacle Group, to advise city leaders on how to best support entrepreneurs. The appointment was a large part of a proposal by the city’s Task Force on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Other plans include launching mentorship and incubator programs. Vaca will also help diversity the tech sector in Dallas. [Built In DFW]
WaterPure International acquired a new EV charging solution. WaterPure International, a water utility company, announced it has agreements in place to buy off-grid, EV charging technology. Though the tech acquired is for charging EVs, WaterPure plans to convert the technology and use the off-grid electric capabilities to bring power to Sub Saharan Africa, a developing region with power shortages. The adoption of the new tech is WaterPure’s first venture into electric utility. [PR Newswire]
