Top 20 announced for 2026 Fort Worth Business Plan Competition

Top 20 announced for 2026 Fort Worth Business Plan Competition

Published on July 01, 2026

The field has narrowed in the 2026 Fort Worth Business Plan Competition, with 20 competitors moving on to participate in several weeks of business development workshops, mentorship opportunities, and pitch practice with local partners and the competition's sponsor, Frost Bank.

The Fort Worth Business Plan Competition is an annual celebration of Fort Worth's entrepreneurial spirit, and serves as both a showcase and a training opportunity for the city's emerging small businesses to help set them up for long-term success.

Top 20 businesses

1. Audrey's Popcorn sells gourmet popcorn made with real ingredients and unforgettable flavor - and Audrey has been selling this treat since she was 5 years old.
2. Articulate Your Value (AYV) is a private-sector workforce development and talent advancement firm that supports students, job seekers, and professionals through customized training and coaching.
3. C. Collins Consulting Services helps truck drivers transition from a one-person shop to becoming owners and operators - including a structured process for scaling.
4. DMG Notaries is a document-signing service that helps streamline complex real estate closings across the country.
5. EPIC Expeditions and Events is a luxury travel and event company that creates seamless, high-touch experiences for travelers seeking elevated, stress-free experiences.
6. Fun on the Run Plus One is on a mission to reduce loneliness and social isolation by helping people build meaningful real-world connections through shared interests, activities and community engagement.
7. Green Thistle Emporium is a marketplace that offers refillable home and body products, with a commitment to sustainability and local makers.
8. ICONIER Digital Marketing Agency is a full-service digital marketing agency that helps small and mid-sized businesses turn online visibility into real customers.
9. Karriem's Catering delivers chef-crafted Southern cuisine with modern efficiency - from meal-prep offerings to weddings, corporate events and private gatherings.
10. Market Match is a software platform that helps businesses, venues, universities and brands make smarter inventory and product decisions through real-time customer feedback.
11. MLK Prearrangements offers personalized funeral pre-planning through 40-plus funeral homes in the Fort Worth area.
12. Mothers of Murdered Angels is dedicated to supporting survivors of gun violence through advocacy, resources, grief support, education and community outreach.
13. Open-Minded Counseling provides affirmative and inclusive mental health and wellness services that supports a person's mind, body and spirit.
14. Panther City Eye Care is a locally-owned optometry practice in the Riverside neighborhood that provides accessible, high-quality, patient-centered care that improves vision and promotes lifelong eye health.
15. South West EV Installation Services designs and delivers resilient, sustainable energy solutions for mixed-use and multifamily developments, with a focus on underserved communities.
16. Swift Stretch is a mobile and studio-based assisted stretching and recovery service that provides holistic, functional wellness at the client's convenience.
17. Sultrosium Wellness offers personalized wellness plans rooted in comprehensive hormonal testing, food sensitivity testing, and precision-crafted supplement protocol.
18. The Review Mediator is an online dispute resolution company that helps businesses and individuals resolve harmful, false, or policy-violating digital content.
19. The West Wellness and Massage is Fort Worth's only integrated wellness center that combines medically-supervised care with luxury spa services.
20. Williams and J Bookkeeping provides personalized, professional tax preparation, bookkeeping, payroll processing and small-business financial consulting services.

What's next?

Once these competitors complete their training, they will use it to create a comprehensive written business plan. The plans will be scored, and the Top 8 will have an opportunity to pitch their businesses to a panel of judges on Thursday, Oct. 15, at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three finalists, with $10,000 going to first place, $6,000 to second place and $4,000 to third place.

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