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Making dreams come true, right here in Central Texas.

In 2025, Austin FC and Q2 are bringing back the annual Austin FC Dream Starter Competition, presented by Q2.

The fifth 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 Competition on Thursday, May 22, at Q2 Stadium. Each finalist’s presentation will be evaluated by a diverse group of representatives from Austin FC, Q2, and executives from the Austin entrepreneurial community. The Austin FC Dream Starter winner will be announced to the public on Friday, May 23 and honored with a check presentation during halftime at the Austin FC vs. Real Salt Lake match on Wednesday, May 28.

2025 Pitch Competition Winner: Good Grief

Good Grief was announced as the winner of the 2025 Austin FC Dream Starter Competition presented by Q2 Holdings, Inc. Good Grief 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.

Good Grief makes a profoundly difficult time more manageable by supporting individuals and families facing the challenges of caregiving or loss of a loved one. The platform provides expert guidance and community connection, along with personalized support for an individual’s loss journey, comprehensive resources for managing illness and loss, and practical tools to help navigate each day with confidence.

Click here to read the full story.

2025 Networking & Panel Discussion at Q2 Stadium

Panelists Yuen Yung, Bharath Oruganti, and Vanessa Newton—moderated by Hannah Taylor—shared best practices and advice on the Dream Starter process.

2025 Dream Starter Competition Host

Salwa Yordi

Salwa Yordi

Salwa Yordi is the CEO of Farandula Texas, a bilingual media blog and consulting platform specializing in cultural marketing, content creation, and community engagement. She also serves as Communications Director at Latinitas, and as Grants Manager at Glimmer Austin. A former entertainment reporter for Telemundo Austin, Salwa is recognized as one of the first Spanish-speaking entertainment reporters in the city, having covered major events including the Latin Grammys, Latin Billboards, and People en Español. Through her work in media, nonprofit leadership, and strategic communications, Salwa is committed to amplifying underrepresented voices and bridging communities through culture-driven storytelling.

2025 Dream Starter Competition Judges

Jinny Reif

Jinny Reif is responsible for leading all accounting and finance functions for Austin FC, and comes with 20 years of professional experience. She is also the Treasurer for the Club’s nonprofit arm, 4ATX Foundation. Prior to joining Austin FC in October 2020, Reif served as Controller in various industries and started her career in public accounting at EY. Reif holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration - Accounting and a Master’s in Professional Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin. She is also licensed as a Certified Public Accountant.

Competition Judge: Jinny Reif
Competition Judge: Robert Shipman

Robert Shipman – EVP of Commercial Banking, Frost Bank

Robert Shipman serves as Executive Vice President of Commercial Banking at Frost Bank, overseeing operations in Austin and the surrounding areas. With over twenty-two years of experience in the banking industry, including thirteen years at Frost Bank, he specializes in business development, commercial lending, client management, and community engagement. Robert leads a team of bankers that are dedicated to building long-term relationships as trusted advisors for their clients and the communities Frost serves.

A multi-generational Texas native, Robert graduated from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. He is also an active community volunteer, serving on the board of the Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI) in Austin and supporting various other community organizations in the Austin area.

Jonathan Price – Chief Financial Officer, Q2

With nearly 20 years of experience in corporate finance, Jonathan has an extensive background in operating leadership roles across investment banking, corporate strategy, and the technology and financial services software industries. Jonathan has significant leadership experience at Q2, most recently serving as Executive Vice President, Strategy & Emerging Businesses, where he was instrumental in guiding and shaping Q2’s strategic initiatives to create long-term value while delivering on the company’s mission.

Since joining Q2 in 2018, Jonathan has also led corporate development strategy and taken on increasing roles of responsibility, including leading the business development function since January 2019, and overseeing the company’s emerging businesses operations since September 2020—including Helix, Q2 Innovation Studio, and Alt-FI lending—with a focus on accelerating innovation and growth across the company.

Prior to Q2, Jonathan spent over 12 years as an investment banker, specializing primarily in technology and financial services software. He served in the Technology & Business Services Investment Banking group at BMO Capital Markets, where he advised vertical software and financial technology companies on strategic opportunities and funding alternatives. Before BMO, he spent time between Citi and Goldman Sachs. Jonathan holds an HBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business.

Competition Judge: Jonathan Price
Competition Judge: Davon Barbour

Davon Barbour – President/CEO Downtown Austin Alliance

Barbour has served as President and CEO of the Downtown Development District of the City of New Orleans since December 2021. He brings extensive experience revitalizing urban communities nationwide, having worked in the private, public and nonprofit sectors in cities including Baltimore, Miami, Orlando and Los Angeles. In a previous role as senior vice president of Economic Development for the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, he led the organization to win an Award of Excellence in Economic Development for its Tech Connect commercial attraction program from the International Downtown Association. He also served as project manager for a $2 billion redevelopment project in Baltimore, MD, including the Life Sciences + Technology Park at Johns Hopkins, mixed-income housing and local job creation.

Before that, he was VP of Advocacy & Economic Development for The Hollywood Partnership, managing the Hollywood Entertainment District. He also led the Community & Economic Development Division of the Los Angeles County Development Authority, overseeing redevelopment, loans and the nation’s largest urban county CDBG program, administering over $150M in COVID-19 recovery initiatives.

Barbour served as Chair for an Urban Land Institute Technical Advisory Panel in support of Sankofa CDC. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the International Downtown Association and has been extensively involved in ICSC, the world’s largest retail real estate trade organization. At ICSC, he serves on its Board of Trustees and has held roles as Western Division P3 Public Chair, Eastern Division P3 Public Sector Chair and faculty member of its University of Shopping Centers. He is also a lover of the arts and a former professional West African dancer and instructor.

Katrina Levenick – VP of Marketing, Austin Telco Federal Credit Union

Katrina Levenick, VP of Marketing at Austin Telco Federal Credit Union, has over 20 years of experience driving brand growth and strategic marketing initiatives. During her time at ATFCU, Katrina has spearheaded the development of innovative financial products and marketing strategies, leading to enhanced brand visibility that resonates with consumers. Katrina’s marketing expertise spans a wide range mediums, making her an invaluable figure within Austin Telco’s accomplished leadership team.

Katrina received a bachelor's degree from St. Edwards University and is passionate about the work she does, as it provides a unique blend of mission-driven work, creative opportunities and has a huge impact on the local community.

Competition Judge: Katrina Levenick

Previous Winners