FORT WORTH, Texas — Twenty businesses have advanced in the 2026 Fort Worth Business Plan Competition and will participate in weeks of business development workshops, mentorship opportunities, and pitch practice with local partners and sponsor Frost Bank, according to the Fort Worth Report.
The competition is an annual event that celebrates Fort Worth's entrepreneurial spirit and serves as both a showcase and training opportunity for the city's emerging small businesses.
Among the Top 20 are Audrey's Popcorn, a gourmet popcorn company that has been selling since the founder was five years old; Articulate Your Value, a private-sector workforce development firm; and C. Collins Consulting Services, which helps truck drivers transition from one-person operations to business owners.
The advancing businesses also include DMG Notaries, a document-signing service for real estate closings; EPIC Expeditions and Events, a luxury travel and event company; and Fun on the Run Plus One, which works to reduce loneliness by helping people build meaningful real-world connections.
Other finalists include Green Thistle Emporium, a marketplace for refillable home and body products; ICONIER Digital Marketing Agency; Karriem's Catering; Market Match, a software platform for customer feedback; MLK Prearrangements, which offers funeral pre-planning through more than 40 funeral homes; and Mothers of Murdered Angels, which supports survivors of gun violence.
