Ruby Red Ventures competition funds 4 Mission small businesses
Texas Border Business –
Mission, Texas, – Nov. 3, 2016 – The Mission Economic Development Corporation has awarded $10,000 each to four startup firms through its signature Ruby Red Ventures entrepreneurship program and competition.
Bryan House, Virtual Media Planners, The Dream Big Facility, and Banner Transit Services were chosen for the monetary award from among dozens of Ruby Red Ventures entries. The winners were chosen in September and awarded funding last month.
The group is part of one of two 2016 Ruby Red Ventures cohorts that began with two dozen small business owners going through the program to learn how to develop a business plan. After several classes at Mission EDC and one-on-one counseling sessions with the UTRGV Small Business Development Center, program applicants pitch their startup idea to a committee – Shark Tank style.
“Ruby Red Ventures is an exciting entrepreneurial springboard that has launched several successful business ideas in Mission over the years and is now a much sought after program to get into,” said Mission EDC CEO Alex Meade.
“The Mission EDC board’s focus on entrepreneurship and small business is tailor-made for this program, and we hope to continue to fund new businesses and create jobs here in the city with Ruby Red Ventures.”
The competition is offered twice a year where applicants have the opportunity to win up to $25,000 to invest into their business idea in Mission.
The Mission EDC capitalizes Ruby Red Ventures with $100,000 annually with the goal of allowing participants to gain a better understanding of how to develop and follow a realistic business plan as well as develop the skills needed to present their ideas.
Past Ruby Red Ventures winners have included Jennifer Shipp, inventor of the nationally marketed safety product, the Knife Glider www.knifeglider.com, and food product developer Pilar Gonzalez, who created DIP-IT, a dip now found in HEB stores state wide. This year’s winners include: Bryan House, it’s a bed and breakfast and historical event center built in Mission by famous 19th century Presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan. Owned and operated by Ariel King, the 1909 home has been restored. and is located in Mission. www.facebook.com/TheBryanHouse.
Banner Transit Services, it’s a non-emergency medical transportation company owned and operated by David Casarez, Carisa Rivera Casarez and Daniel Rivera. It seeks clientele that needs transportation to medical appointments without need of ambulatory services.
The Dream Big Facility, it’s an executive coaching and leadership development company owned and operated by Ryan Krause and Bridgett McAdams. It is focused on developing people and raising the level of leadership awareness. www.dreambigfacility.com
Virtual Media Planners, it’s a local online advertising and consulting company located in the Mission EDC’s CEED Building and owned by Gabriel Puente. It provides online advertising packages for small business owners. www.rgvisionmedia.com
For more information: www.rubyredventures.com and www.missionedc.com. TBB
