Third Annual Business Pitch Competition awards $70K to eight Harlingen entrepreneurs

The Harlingen Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is proud to celebrate the success of its third annual RISE Up Harlingen Business Pitch Competition, awarding a total of $70,000 in prize money to eight participating entrepreneurs. RISE Up Harlingen is hosted in partnership with UTRGV Entrepreneurship & Commercialization Center (ECC), through their facilitation of the AdvanceUp Accelerator business course. Entrepreneurs participated in the 10-week program that led to the exciting pitch competition on October 1, 2026.

Following the eight pitches, a panel of judges deliberated and selected the winners based on their evaluations of the business presentations. At the end of the night, the Harlingen EDC awarded $30,000 to the first-place winner, $15,000 to the second-place winner, and $10,000 to the third-place winner. And, in a first for the event, every entrepreneur who took the stage walked away with financial support for their business journey, with the remaining five contestants each receiving $1,000.

Originally envisioned by Harlingen Mayor Norma Sepulveda, RISE Up Harlingen was created to provide entrepreneurs with an opportunity to showcase their ideas, connect with the community, and compete for funding that would help scale their business. Harlingen EDC embraced that vision and, alongside its community partners, continues to build on the competition’s success.

Celebrating this year’s top three winners

This year’s competition recognized three standout entrepreneurs for their business pitches, awarding them funding to help pursue their next stages of growth.

1st Place ($30,000) — Matthew Rodriguez, Silly Dillys

Taking home the competition’s top prize of $30,000, Matthew Rodriguez impressed the judges with his vision for the future of his business, Silly Dillys.

Since launching at markets in 2024 and opening a Harlingen storefront in January 2026, Silly Dillys has built its brand around handcrafted, premium flavored pickles. The award will help Rodriguez and his team take the next step toward continued expansion. Looking ahead, Silly Dillys plans to establish a dedicated production operation in Harlingen, increase its packaged-product reach, and explore additional storefronts across the region.

With Harlingen remaining at the heart of its production, packaging, and distribution plans, Silly Dillys is positioning itself for continued growth while maintaining its local roots.

2nd Place ($20,000) — Denver Hance, Chemsol Services, Inc.

Awarded second place and $15,000, Denver Hance demonstrated the potential for Chemsol Services, Inc. to make a meaningful impact in the local business community.

Chemsol Services, Inc. launched at the start of 2026, completing its first fertilizer sale in February and partnering with additional suppliers by April, as it began establishing its presence in the agricultural sector. Hance and his team provide environmental solutions and services related to fertilizers, chemicals, and hazardous materials, along with bulk and custom-blended fertilizer products.

The prize will provide valuable support as the business works towards addressing current operational bottlenecks, increasing capacity, and supporting the company’s efforts to scale operations and expand into new markets. By 2027, Hance plans to invest in additional equipment to boost sales and expand its reach nationwide.

3rd Place ($15,000) — Fernanda Candil, The Grove RGV LLC

Earning third place and a $15,000 award, Fernanda Candil showcased an entrepreneurial vision that stood out among this year’s competitors.

Candil and her team are developing plans for a premier padel, sports, and wellness facility designed to bring new recreational experiences to the community. The project is currently in the land acquisition phase, with plans to complete architectural designs, engineering, and required approvals by the end of this year. The prize money will help advance the facility’s initial planning and design, support bank financing efforts, and keep the project on track toward bringing this new destination to the community.

They anticipate breaking ground in 2027, with a grand opening planned for early 2028.

RECOGNIZING EVERY ENTREPRENEUR

For the first time in the competition’s three-year history, all five contestants who did not place in the top three also received prize money, with each entrepreneur awarded $1,000. The decision came at the end of the night by the CEO of the Harlingen EDC, Orlando Campos.

“We believe that supporting entrepreneurs means recognizing the potential in their ideas and investing in their success,” said Campos. “It was exciting to extend this year’s awards to additional contestants. We hope this added support helps encourage them to continue pursuing their business goals and contributing to our local economy.”

By investing in every participant this year, the competition helped reinforce a supportive environment where entrepreneurs are encouraged to take risks, develop their ideas, and pursue new opportunities.

A Community Effort

The RISE Up Harlingen Business Pitch Competition would not be possible without the support of the partners and sponsors who share a commitment to local entrepreneurship and economic opportunity. The Harlingen EDC extends its sincere appreciation to Bert Ogden Auto Group Rio Grande Valley and COSTEP for sponsoring this year’s competition. Their support helps make opportunities like this possible and reinforces the importance of collaboration in building a thriving local business community. 100% of their contributions went directly to the prize money awarded through the program.

The Harlingen EDC also recognizes the UTRGV ECC, as well as every other partner and community member whose continued involvement helps bring this vision to life, including the panel of judges and local business vendors.

Looking ahead

As RISE Up Harlingen enters its next chapter, the Harlingen EDC remains committed to empowering local entrepreneurs, encouraging innovation, and helping turn business ideas into successful ventures that strengthen the community.

For more information about Harlingen EDC, its business resources, or the future of RISE Up Harlingen, visit harlingenedc.com or contact the Harlingen EDC’s Small Business & Startup Manager, Maria Escobar, at 956.216.5087.