Inaugural Mission Small Business Expo Brings Business Community Together for Connections, Resources and Opportunity

Free daylong event showcased local businesses, connected entrepreneurs with resources and culminated in $50,000 awarded through Mission EDC’s Ruby Red Ventures program.

MISSION, TEXAS — The Mission Economic Development Corporation (Mission EDC) welcomed entrepreneurs, business leaders, resource partners and community members to the inaugural Mission Small Business Expo on Wednesday, September 16, at the Mission Event Center, launching a new platform designed to strengthen connections, showcase local businesses and create opportunities for growth in Mission.

Presented by Mission EDC with Lone Star National Bank as Title Sponsor, the free, daylong event brought the region’s business community under one roof for networking, expert-led programming, an exhibitor and resource hall and the culmination of the 2026 Ruby Red Ventures program.

“Mission has some really niche and unique businesses that call our city home, and we want to make sure people know they are here,” said Belén Guerrero-Aguirre, Chief Operating Officer of Mission EDC. “We want Mission to put its best foot forward and show that we are open and ready to do business. That is why it was important for us to make this event free to attend and affordable for our exhibitors, so those connections could happen. The turnout was a testament to that. Businesses are ready to connect, collaborate and work with one another.”

The Expo opened with internationally recognized marketing speaker and bestselling author Andrew Davis, who returned to Mission to present his keynote, “The Loyalty Loop.” Davis challenged businesses to rethink how they create customer experiences, build loyalty and turn existing customers into a source of future growth.

“Cities like Mission are very rare,” Davis said. “Having an economic development corporation that is truly invested in helping the businesses already here grow while also working to attract new businesses is rare. Anytime you have an opportunity to work with the City of Mission and the economic development team, you really should. Thank you to everyone who came out.”

Throughout the day, attendees connected directly with local businesses, financial institutions, educational partners and organizations providing resources to entrepreneurs across the Rio Grande Valley. The Expo was created not simply as a showcase, but as a place where businesses could build relationships, discover resources and identify new opportunities to grow.

Programming also included “Go Big, From Home: Commercialize Your Business Model & Grow Your Business Right Here in Mission,” a panel focused on helping businesses prepare for commercialization, manufacturing, larger markets and cross-border opportunities. The discussion featured Pilar Gonzalez, founder and CEO of Dip It by Pilar; Fermín Rodríguez Sosa, Managing Director of Genera Softlanding; and David Ortiz, South Texas Regional Director for the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center at UTRGV. J. Edgar Ruiz II of Lone Star National Bank moderated the discussion.

The day culminated with the 2026 Ruby Red Ventures Pitch Competition, marking the conclusion of an almost five-month entrepreneurship development program conducted in partnership with the UTRGV Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center.

The 2026 cohort represents the third Ruby Red Ventures cohort since Mission EDC revived the program following its pause in 2019. Over nearly five months, participating entrepreneurs worked to develop their business models, strengthen their strategies and prepare their companies for growth before taking the stage at the Mission Small Business Expo.

Eight entrepreneurs advanced to the final competition, where they presented their businesses in a live, Shark Tank-style pitch before a panel of judges and an audience of business and community leaders.

A total of $50,000 was awarded to three entrepreneurs. Elizabeth Davis, founder of Nuts and Cows, earned first place and $25,000; Josh Howard, founder and CEO of Hophire, received second place and $15,000; and Cassandra Aguillon, founder and CEO of Evermore Digital, received third place and $10,000.

The five remaining finalists — David Ceron of The Writers Lab RGV, Maria Lorenzo of Seventh Avenue Cafe, Raven Torres of KyznOS, Leticia Sosa of Renewed Reflections and Resilient Recovery, and Petronilo Vasquez of Bonampak Coffee Roasters — also took the stage to present businesses spanning education, food and hospitality, business operations, behavioral health and specialty coffee.

While the competition awarded $50,000 in capital, the program was designed to extend beyond the prize money. Through months of preparation, the cohort received business development support and opportunities to sharpen their strategies, build connections and position their businesses for continued growth.

The inaugural Mission Small Business Expo builds on Mission EDC’s broader efforts to support entrepreneurship and small-business development through access to capital, business education, technical assistance, networking and programs such as Ruby Red Ventures.

By bringing entrepreneurs, established businesses, resource organizations and community partners together in one place, Mission EDC aims to continue building an environment where businesses can start, scale and invest in Mission.

The inaugural Mission Small Business Expo was made possible through the support of Title Sponsor Lone Star National Bank, participating exhibitors, resource partners, speakers and community partners.

For more information about Mission EDC and its business programs and resources, visit missionedc.com.

Pictured from left: Belén Guerrero-Aguirre, Chief Operating Officer, Mission Economic Development Corporation; Petronilo “Petro” Vasquez, Founder, Bonampak Coffee Roasters; Raven Torres, Co-Founder, KyznOS; Leticia Sosa, Founder, Renewed Reflections and Resilient Recovery; Cassandra Aguillon, Founder and CEO, Evermore Digital; Elizabeth Davis, Founder, Nuts and Cows; Joshua Howard, Founder and CEO, Hophire; Maria Lorenzo, Founder, Seventh Avenue Cafe; David Ceron, Founder, The Writers Lab RGV; Linda Ufland, Director of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Commercialization, UTRGV Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center; Hania Uriegas, Program Specialist, UTRGV Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center; Brianna Casares, Programs Director, Mission Economic Development Corporation; and Candace Rodriguez, Communications and Public Relations Manager, Mission Economic Development Corporation.

Keynote speaker Andrew Davis delivers “The Loyalty Loop” during the inaugural Mission Small Business Expo on September 16, 2026, at the Mission Event Center. Davis shared insights on building customer loyalty, creating memorable experiences and driving business growth.

Pictured from left: J. Edgar Ruiz II, Senior Vice President, Lone Star National Bank and panel moderator; Fermín Rodríguez Sosa, Managing Director, Genera Softlanding; Pilar Gonzalez, Founder and CEO, Dip It by Pilar; and David Ortiz, South Texas Regional Director, Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center at UTRGV, during the “Go Big, From Home” panel at the inaugural Mission Small Business Expo. The discussion explored commercialization, manufacturing, scaling and opportunities for businesses to grow right here in Mission.