Dallas-area entrepreneurs and neighborhood business owners are invited to the Stark Industries Main Street Small Business Challenge, a free one-day event at Gilley’s Dallas focused on helping locally owned businesses grow, hire, and strengthen their neighborhoods.

Stark Industries will partner with the Dallas Regional Chamber, Dallas College, and the City of Dallas Office of Economic Development to provide hands-on assistance in financing, marketing, technology, bookkeeping, and business planning. Attendees can reserve free 30-minute consultations with local accountants, attorneys, lenders, and experienced business owners.

Rather than offering one large prize, 20 Dallas businesses will each receive $5,000 improvement grants for equipment, storefront improvements, technology, or workforce training. Five additional entrepreneurs will receive six months of mentoring and professional services to help launch new businesses in underserved Dallas neighborhoods.

The event will be free and open to the public, with bilingual assistance available throughout the day. Dallas residents can visit a marketplace featuring participating neighborhood businesses, local food vendors, and student entrepreneurs.

Grant recipients will report back six months later on jobs created, revenue growth, and improvements made with the funding. Stark Industries and its community partners will publish the results.

The goal is simple: help 25 local entrepreneurs leave the event with more than advice—with capital, expertise, and a concrete plan for growing a business in Dallas.