Small-business owners have only a few days left to apply for the 2026 Fort Worth Business Plan Competition, a city-supported program designed to help entrepreneurs strengthen their operations and compete for cash prizes.
Applications are being accepted through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, June 13, for the annual competition, which is sponsored by Frost Bank and organized as part of the City of Fort Worth’s efforts to support local businesses.
The program is intended to help entrepreneurs develop detailed business plans, a tool that research has shown can improve long-term revenue growth and job creation while helping businesses attract investors and other funding sources.
Participants selected for the program will take part in several weeks of workshops and coaching sessions focused on topics including market competitiveness and financial planning. The training is designed to help business owners gain a deeper understanding of their companies before presenting their ideas during a final pitch competition.
The 2026 competition will award a total of $20,000 in cash prizes. The first-place winner will receive $10,000, while second- and third-place winners will receive $6,000 and $4,000, respectively.
To qualify, businesses must have operated for at least two years but no more than five years, maintain a physical address within Fort Worth city limits, and generate less than $1 million in annual revenue.
Applicants must also submit documentation verifying their business status, including formation records such as a DBA, certification from the Secretary of State’s office, or other legal business documentation.
City officials said the top 20 applicants will be selected in late June to participate in educational sessions led by Frost Bank and partner organizations.
Final business plans are due by August 16. The competition will culminate on October 15, when the top eight contestants will present their business proposals during a pitch night before a panel of judges.
In addition to Frost Bank, professional development workshops will be provided by organizations that support small-business growth, including TechFW, Accelerate Fort Worth, the Small Business Administration, and other partners.
