The Good Soil Forum is a premier conference that brings together entrepreneurs, business leaders, and investors to share resources, network, and grow their businesses. It includes workshops, panels, keynote speakers, and a pitch competition.

The Good Soil Forum will occur from June 13-15, 2024, at the AT&T Performing Arts Center and the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, Texas. Hangouts are on 13th, and programming commences on the 14th.

You can register for the Good Soil Forum by visiting our registration page.

Yes, there is a registration fee to attend the Good Soil Forum. Please visit our registration page for details on pricing and early bird discounts

Yes, you can transfer your registration to another person. Please contact our support team at harvesters@goodsoilmovement.com to facilitate the transfer.

The Good Soil Forum features keynote speeches from industry leaders, interactive workshops, networking sessions, a marketplace, and a pitch competition for entrepreneurs.

This year’s keynote speakers include Tabitha Brown, Pinky Cole, T.D. Jakes, Charles D. King, Arian Simone, and Gina Paige. For a complete list of speakers, please visit our speakers page

Yes, the Good Soil Forum includes multiple networking sessions to help you connect with other entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts.

The Seed Capital Pitch Competition is where selected entrepreneurs present their business ideas to a panel of judges for a chance to win seed funding and mentorship.

To participate in the pitch competition, you must apply by June 1. Visit our Seed Capital Pitch Competition page for eligibility criteria and application details;

Prizes include $200,000 for first place, $100,000 for second place, $75,000 for third place, $75,000 for the best from Dallas, and $50,000 for the most improved. Additional prizes may be awarded at the discretion of the judges.

Yes, we have partnered with several hotels near the event venue to offer discounted rates for attendees. Please visit our event page for more information and booking details.

Yes, parking is available at the event venue. [Include details about parking fees, if applicable.] For information about parking at the AT&T Performing Arts Center, please visit their website. For information about parking at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, please visit their website. Additional surface-level parking, garages, and options are found here.

You can find the full procedure document HERE

Yes, food will be available during the event. For all guests, this includes breakfast, lunch, and snacks. Our food truck vendors include G Texas Catering, Smokin Ace BBQ, Brick and Ember, Carpenter's Mobile Bistro, and So Icy, offering a variety of cuisines, including seafood, BBQ, pizza, American cuisine, and desserts. VIP, Premier, and Legacy Circle guests can access exclusive dining opportunities.

Yes, complimentary Wi-Fi is available for all guests. Please use the following network

Network Name: VISITING

Password: Vi$iting24!

No, the event is not recommended for children.

We recommend bringing business cards, a notebook or laptop for taking notes, and an open mind for networking and learning opportunities. The dress code is business casual.

You can contact us via email at harvesters@goodsoilmovement.com. Our team is here to help with any questions you may have.

For the latest updates, download Good Soil HQ, follow us on social media, and check our website regularly.

For any additional inquiries, please contact our support team via the contact section on our website or the Good Soil HQ app. We are here to assist you and ensure you have all the information to participate successfully.

At the Seed Capital Pitch Competition, we prioritize the protection of your intellectual property and the confidentiality of your submissions. Here are the key points:

Winners are expected to use the prize funds to develop their business further, as outlined in their competition entry. Winners will also receive publicity, networking opportunities, and the potential for additional mentorship through the Good Soil Accelerator.

Yes, the competition is open to all eligible U.S.-incorporated businesses. However, the "Highlight Dallas" prize is specifically for companies in Dallas.

There are no entry fees for the competition. All participants can access a complimentary LivePlan license to help prepare their business plan submissions.

All finalists are invited to join the Good Soil Accelerator, a year-long program that provides intensive mentorship, resources, and support to help grow your business and improve fundability.

The Good Soil community will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite entries in the main competition. These community votes will be considered alongside the judgments made by the expert panel.

Prizes include:

• First Place: $200,000 plus mentorship from a relevant business leader.
• Second Place: $100,000
• Third Place: $75,000
• Special Categories:
  • Most Improved Business: $50,000, awarded to the entrepreneur who shows the most progress during the competition's mentorship program.
  • Highlight Dallas Award: $75,000, available exclusively to businesses in the City of Dallas

The Metroplex Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) may award additional prizes or recognition at its sole discretion. These special awards acknowledge standout participants whose businesses demonstrate exceptional potential, innovative ideas, or significant impact in their community.

All winners and recipients of additional prizes are determined based on the competition’s established criteria, aiming to foster a spirit of entrepreneurship and growth among the participants.

Entries will be evaluated based on:

• Results to Date (25%)
• Soundness of Plan (25%)
• Clarity on the Utilization of Funds (25%)
• Quality of Presentation (25%)

The final pitches will be judged by a panel comprising seasoned investors, business leaders, and a representative from Wells Fargo, our event sponsor. The collective community vote will be the equivalent of one judge's vote.

Each finalist will have ten minutes on stage during the Good Soil Forum presented by the Stand Together Foundation and Wells Fargo. This includes five minutes to deliver their business pitch and another five minutes to answer questions from the panel of judges.

This format simulates a real-world investment pitch, allowing you to effectively showcase your business plan and respond to investor inquiries.

• Early Entry Deadline: May 15, 2024
  Eligibility for a Zoom consultation with a business planning expert and qualification for the Most Improved award.
• Final Submission Deadline: June 1, 2024
  All competition entries must be submitted by this date to be considered for the competition.
• Finals: Held during the Good Soil Forum presented by the Stand Together Foundation and Wells Fargo in June 2024.

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To enter, complete these three steps:

1. Create a free account on the Good Soil HQ app.
2. Redeem your complimentary license for LivePlan software through the app.
3. Submit your completed business plan via the app by the May 23, 2024 deadline.

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We will validate all company representations through due diligence within sixty days of the award. If any representations are false, the company may be disqualified and forfeit the prize to the next highest-ranked company.

Your company must commit to attending the Good Soil Forum presented by the Stand Together Foundation and Wells Fargo scheduled for June 13-15, 2024. Only one entry per company is allowed.

Yes, businesses in specific industries are not eligible to participate. These include businesses related to sexually oriented products and services, firearms, alcohol (except for restaurants that serve alcohol), gambling, multi-level marketing, or any illegal activities.

Your company must have received at most $1 million in funding. Your employees should have an annual income of at most $100,000, and your installment debt should be at most $200,000 unless it's a convertible note.

To participate in the competition, your company must meet the following criteria:

• Majority-owned by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).
• Legally incorporated and in good standing in the United States.
• Have an owner over 18 who represents the company in all competition-related matters.