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TD Jakes’ Good Soil Forum Hosts a $500K Seed Capital Pitch Competition June 13-15 in Dallas » Dallas Innovates

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Dallas-based TD Jakes Enterprises launched the national Good Soil Movement in 2023. Dungeon Forward, pictured above, took home $100,000 in 2023 after winning what was described as a “very intense pitch competition.” (Image sources: Photo, Good Ground; Color, DI Studio)

Dallas-based social impact firm TD Jakes Enterprises is bringing the Good Soil Forum to the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas, hoping to make North Texas home to a confluence of ideas, events and a business-related social hotspot ahead of Juneteenth and Month of black music.

The event will be held June 13-15 and will conclude with a pitch competition, awarding a total of $500,000 in grants.

TD Jakes Enterprise is led by Chairman TD Jakes, the driving force behind the Good Soil Movement.

“Our mission within the Good Soil movement is to increase generational prosperity and empowerment by nurturing entrepreneurs who are often under-resourced,” said Michael Phillips, chief operating officer of TD Jakes Enterprises, in a statement. “The Good Soil Forum breaks the cycle of under-resourced entrepreneurs, leaving events inspired but unequipped. Entrepreneurs thrive despite limited resources and inspire us. This June we celebrate leaders past and present who have paved a path for future generations. It is the first step in a multi-year plan to cultivate a thriving cultural center for music, entrepreneurship and innovation in Texas – a space where inspiration and practical tools come together to enable business growth and lasting success.”

Good line-up of the soil forum

According to TD Jakes Enterprises, Jakes, a longtime entrepreneur and senior pastor of The Potter’s House church, is using the Good Soil Forum to highlight the country’s thriving entrepreneurial, business and cultural scene, and Dallas in particular . In turn, it says it brings thousands of people and millions of dollars to the area.

The organization noted that Dallas consistently tops annual U.S. economic surveys, which list North Texas as good for small business growth, small business employment and hourly wage growth.

With the theme “The Rhythm of Entrepreneurship,” this year’s forum will feature visionary leaders and industry pioneers who will provide attendees with insights to help them navigate the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence and creativity, the organization said.

This year’s key participants, panelists in fireside chats and breakout sessions include:

  • TD Jakes, NAACP Image Award-winning philanthropist and CEO of TD Jakes Enterprises
  • Tabitha Brown, Emmy Award-winning actress and NYT bestselling author and entrepreneur
  • Pinky Cole, founder and owner of Slutty Vegan
  • Arian Simone, co-founder and CEO of the Fearless Fund
  • Richelieu Dennis, founder and CEO of Sundial Brands
  • Charles King, Founder and CEO of MACRO

Good Soil Forum offers educational fireside chats, breakout sessions and practical workshops where business leaders can learn and engage in important conversations on a variety of topics from business planning and marketing strategies to financial management and leadership development, equipping them with practical skills and knowledge to take their business to the next level.

The forum will also feature a marketplace with a wide range of suppliers, from tech startups to artisan artisans, providing a unique opportunity to network, discover new products and services and gain inspiration for participants’ entrepreneurial ventures.

Empowering minority entrepreneurs

“Stand Together Foundation is proud to partner with TD Jakes Enterprises to help more people achieve their American dream through entrepreneurship,” said Evan Feinberg, SVP of Stand Together and president of the Stand Together Foundation, in a statement . “If successful, this effort will not only help many people realize their full potential, but it will also demonstrate what is possible in this country when we shift our mindset away from what people lack and toward what they can achieve.”

TD Jakes Enterprises and the Stand Together community said they are also working together on an ambitious national initiative to inspire new and growing entrepreneurs in under-resourced communities. Centered around a peer-to-peer platform of entrepreneurs, it connects the people on the platform with the coaching, technical support, services and networks they need to grow their businesses.

Good Soil will include the return of the annual Seed Capital Competition in partnership with Wells Fargo, an opportunity designed to guide entrepreneurs through the crucial stages of business planning and pitching, according to TD Jakes Enterprises.

$500,000 in grants doubles last year’s proceeds

To further empower minority entrepreneurs by building their skills in preparing investment plans and pitches, the competition includes a total of $500,000 in grants – double last year’s $250,000 amount – making the competition the third-highest seed competition of its kind is in the sector. according to the organization the United States.

TD Jakes Enterprises said that to participate, entrepreneurs must complete the intent-to-enter form in the Good Soil HQ app by May 1 and become part of Good Soil’s Grow community.

The final submission deadline is May 23, after which a jury will select the finalists who will present their pitches live on June 14.

The competition will culminate in awarding seed grants to the top entrants, with the first-place winner receiving $200,000 and mentorship from a top business leader. Other prizes include $100,000 for second place, $75,000 for third place, a $75,000 Host Prize for the top Dallas entry and a $50,000 prize for the Most Improved Entrant, according to TD Jakes Enterprises.

The jury will judge the entries based on the soundness of the plan, the results to date, the articulation of how the prize money will be used for business growth and the quality of the presentation.

For more information about the Good Soil Forum 2024, speakers and registration, please go here.

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