Mid City Times

Published on April 12, 2024For the past several months, 20 entrepreneurs and small businesses have been developing the tools, the strategy and the mindset to grow their business as part of the 2024 Fort Worth Business Plan Competition.

The top eight competitors, as announced, are now preparing to move on to the Finale, where they will have the opportunity to vie for one of the top three cash prizes. The finalists will be pitching their completed business plans before an audience and a panel of judges on Thursday, May 9, at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. The event is set to take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. as part of National Economic Development Week.

According to the competition details, the Top 8 contenders will present a three-minute pitch to the judging panel, followed by a two-minute round of Q&A. Ultimately, the top three winners will walk away with cash prizes - $4,000 for third place, $6,000 for second place, and $10,000 for the grand prize winner.

The 2024 cohort of the Fort Worth Business Plan Competition is being lauded for its diversity, with 17 out of the 20 participating businesses being either minority-owned, women-owned, or a combination of both. Additionally, there was representation from nine of the city’s 10 council districts, showcasing a broad geographical reach of entrepreneurship within Fort Worth.

This year's competition is proudly sponsored by the City of Fort Worth’s Economic Development Department and Frost Bank, with support from various mentors and coaches from organizations like Accelerate Fort Worth, HSC Next, SCORE Fort Worth, Tarrant SBDC, TechFW, and Foundations EDC.