Breaking News: What Happens When Faith Meets Funding? Inside the $500K Good Soil Forum

Breaking News: What Happens When Faith Meets Funding? Inside the $500K Good Soil Forum

A Bold New Chapter for Global Ministry

Bishop T.D. Jakes is ushering in a powerful new era for his global ministry by placing entrepreneurship and economic empowerment at the forefront. With pastoral duties increasingly in the hands of the next generation, Jakes is now harnessing the full power of the Good Soil Forum, hosted by his organization, T.D. Jakes Enterprises. This shift marks a deliberate move from pulpit ministry to a broader societal impact through business and innovation.

The Good Soil Forum Takes Center Stage

Running June 13–15 at Dallas’s AT\&T Performing Arts Center under the theme “The Rhythm of Entrepreneurship,” this year’s Forum is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling events yet. Jakes and his team have curated inspiring keynote sessions featuring industry giants like Tabitha Brown, Pinky Cole, Charles King, and Arian Simone, offering a potent mix of vision and practical guidance.

Shark‑Tank–Style Excitement: The \$500K Pitch Competition

The highlight is the seed-capital pitch competition, shining brightest at this year’s Forum. With a staggering \$500,000 prize fund**—a record high and double last year’s total—the stakes are high. Top prize winners will walk away with \$200,000 plus mentorship, while Wells Fargo, the event’s presenting sponsor, supports finalists with grants of \$100k, \$75k, and additional awards. It’s a business showcase that thumps with the high energy of a Shark Tank showdown.

What Makes This Competition So Electrifying

Here’s where the event becomes electric: more than 2,000 entrepreneurs, business leaders, and investors fill the venue—not just to listen, but to engage, invest, and network . The atmosphere is akin to a financial concert: packed with anticipation, drills of pitching rehearsals, anxious finalists waiting their turn, and judges sizing ideas by their potential for real-world impact.

Jakes’s Vision for Economic Justice

More than glitz and grants, the Forum is a manifestation of Jakes’s vision for economic justice and wealth creation in underserved communities. With strategic partnerships involving Wells Fargo, Stand Together Foundation, Amazon, and even the White House, Good Soil aims to nurture one million diverse entrepreneurs over the next decade. It’s a movement built on access—capital, coaching, platforms—to seed generational transformation.

Milestones Lagging Behind the Podium

It’s not all on-stage noise. In late 2024, Jakes’s investment arm acquired Castiron, an e-commerce tech platform for artisan cooks, rebranded as Nourysh. The move bolsters Good Soil’s promise: powerful digital tools to help small businesses scale efficiently. Such strategic acquisitions signal the Forum’s ambition to seed not just ideas, but sustainable digital infrastructure.

Beyond the Stage: Workshops, Breakouts & Networking

Beyond big talks and pitch battles, the Good Soil Forum features breakout workshops on marketing, AI, franchising, and real estate. An enspirited marketplace showcases tech startups, artisan brands, and pilot projects. These elements turn the Forum into a living lab—where knowledge meets hands-on practice and real deals can take shape.

Cultural Fusion: Where Economy Meets Entertainment

Jakes’ team understands the power of narrative and vibe. Performances by KEM, Tabitha Brown, and Robert Glasper bookend sessions, ensuring the Forum is not just a business event—it’s a cultural experience. Music and story craft energize the crowd and reinforce the message: economic empowerment is both a grind and a celebration of creativity.

Looking Ahead: A Legacy of Impact

As June’s Forum draws to a close, the real impact has only just begun. With strands of mentorship, funding, digital toolkit rollouts, and new partnerships in place, Good Soil is tracking toward its bold goal—cultivating entrepreneurs and businesses that will anchor generational wealth. For Jakes, this isn’t a side project—it’s the living out of ministry through market empowerment, and a thrilling rebirth of his global mission.