In 2024, Austin FC and Q2 Holdings Inc. are bringing back the annual Austin FC Dream Starter Competition.

The fourth installment of this business initiative invites Austin entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups to apply and compete for $100,000 in “Dream Starter” funds to accelerate their entrepreneurial venture.

From the initial applicant group, five (5) finalists will be selected to participate in a Pitch Contest on Thursday, May 23, at Q2 Stadium. Each finalist’s presentation will be evaluated by an esteemed group of representatives from Austin FC, Q2 Holdings Inc., and other executives from the Austin entrepreneurial community. The Austin FC Dream Starter Competition winner will be announced to the public on Friday, May 24 and honored with a check presentation during halftime at the Austin FC vs. Portland Timbers match on Wednesday, May 29.

In 2023, Vanessa and Bryan Newton, Owners of Social Note, were selected as the third winners of the Austin FC Dream Starter Competition, presented by Q2.

To apply for the 2024 Dream Starter competition, click here.

Monday, March 25 - Application portal opens
Monday, April 15 at 11:59pm CST - Application portal closes
Tuesday, April 16 – Friday, May 3 – Applications reviewed
Monday, May 6 - Five finalists are notified
Wednesday, May 8 – Five finalists announced to the public
Thursday, May 23 - Dream Starter Pitch Competition
Friday, May 24 – Winner announced to the public
Wednesday, May 29 - Check presentation during Austin FC vs. Portland Timbers match

For a complete list of terms and conditions about the Austin FC Dream Starter Competition, click here.

For a list of frequently asked questions, click here.

To preview the application questions, click here.

On May 23, SocialNote was announced as the winner of the 2023 Austin FC Dream Starter Competition presented by Q2 Holdings Inc., in collaboration with DivInc. SocialNote will receive $100,000 in funding to accelerate its business and mission as part of the Austin FC Dream Starter business initiative, which supports Austin entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds.

“After reviewing several innovative pitches, we’re delighted to announce SocialNote as this year’s Dream Starter winner,” said Austin FC President Andy Loughnane. “Austin has an amazing and diverse entrepreneurial community, and we’re grateful to Q2 and DivInc for their help in bringing this initiative to life for a third consecutive year.”

SocialNote is a one-of-a-kind web application designed for school-based social workers to manage interactions with students and families. Documentation of interactions with students and families is critical but often the last task to be completed because there are so many other needs to tend to. SocialNote aims to provide a platform that removes the stress, dread and burnout of case management so the job feels sustainable, and the professional field of school-based mental health retains high-quality providers.

“It is an honor to be selected as the 2023 Dream Starter Competition winner,” said SocialNote Co-founder Vanessa Newton. “We look forward to using the funds to grow and expand the reach of our business and mission of providing K-12 schools with the tools needed to support their social workers and counselors, which has a direct impact on the mental health and wellness of our students and children.”

“We are excited to recognize SocialNote as the winner of the 2023 Austin FC Dream Starter Competition,” said Q2 CEO Matt Flake. “At Q2, our mission is centered on building strong and diverse communities, and we are honored to help SocialNote empower social workers as they support and strengthen students and families in Austin.”

In addition to SocialNote, the 2023 Dream Starter finalists included Daybird, which produces skincare products that seek to redefine traditional beauty standards; Jale, an app that creates new opportunities between companies and blue-collar Latino workers; Player2Player, which creates opportunities for high-school and college-age athletes to coach young players; and Mammoth Creameries, which produces ice cream and frozen custard for people with diabetes or on sugar-conscious diets.

SocialNote, along with the other finalists, participated in a pitch contest on May 22 at Q2 Stadium, where a diverse group of representatives from Austin FC, Q2 Holdings Inc., and the Austin entrepreneurial community evaluated each finalist’s presentation and ultimately selected the winner. SocialNote will be honored with a check presentation during halftime at the Austin FC vs. Real Salt Lake match on Saturday, June 3.

Click here to learn more about the Austin FC Dream Starter Competition.

2022 Winner

2021 Winner