News Summary
In a remarkable event celebrating innovation, H-E-B awarded five small businesses a total of $110,000 during its 12th Annual Quest for Texas Best competition. Over 370 Texas entrepreneurs showcased their products for a chance to win cash prizes and valuable mentorship. This year’s top prize went to OCA Foods from Austin for their peanut butter bites. The contest highlighted the vibrant entrepreneurship scene in Texas, with H-E-B supporting local talents through various initiatives.
Austin Shines Bright in H-E-B’s Quest for Texas Best Contest
In a thrilling showcase of innovation and creativity, five small businesses were awarded a collective $110,000 in prize money during H-E-B’s 12th Annual Quest for Texas Best competition. This exciting event brought together over 370 Texas entrepreneurs who submitted their unique products for a chance to shine and succeed.
The Competition Heats Up
Gathering in San Antonio, the finalists took part in a spirited competition filled with anticipation and hope. Not only were they vying for impressive cash prizes, but they also had the opportunity for shelf placement in H-E-B stores and invaluable mentorship to boost their business ambitions. The Quest for Texas Best competition is dedicated to fostering local business growth and highlighting the impressive array of unique Texas-made products.
A Celebration of Creativity
James Harris, the Senior Director of Diversity & Inclusion and Supplier Diversity for H-E-B, expressed his admiration for the creativity flowing from Texas entrepreneurs. This year alone, H-E-B has awarded over $2.5 million to Texas entrepreneurs in the past decade and brought to light more than 1,000 unique products. Notably, 55 of these suppliers have achieved at least $1 million in sales to date due to the opportunities provided by this competition.
This Year’s Winning Products
The enthusiasm was palpable as the winners were announced, showcasing an exciting variety of products. This year’s winning offerings included everything from delicious peanut butter bites, scrumptious tortilla chips, unique spices, to refreshing cocktail mixers. The top prize of $50,000 was awarded to OCA Foods from Austin for their mouthwatering Brazilian peanut butter bites. Following closely, Deli Spices from McAllen took home $15,000 thanks to their popular birria spice mix.
The excitement didn’t stop there! The competition saw a tie for third place, with both Spicytude from Dallas and My Drink Bomb from Houston scooping up $10,000 each. Additionally, Tozi Superfoods from Austin claimed the $25,000 first-place prize for their delicious blue corn tortilla chips. Let’s not forget that all remaining finalists received $5,000 each, bringing the total prize money awarded to an impressive $135,000 for the top 10 finalists.
An Event to Remember
This year’s competition was no ordinary contest; it was a festive awards ceremony that had a celebratory atmosphere full of impressive displays and pride for Texas talent. H-E-B’s Sourcing Managers reviewed submissions from nearly 150 cities across the Lone Star State, proving that innovation knows no boundaries here. Over the years, past products showcased in this competition ranged widely, including irresistible cookies, aromatic coffees, delightful home goods, and handy gardening tools.
H-E-B: A Supporter of Local Entrepreneurs
H-E-B, which operates over 455 stores in Texas and Mexico and sees sales exceeding $46 billion, is celebrating its 120th anniversary in 2023. They stand firmly committed to supporting and uplifting local small businesses through initiatives like the Quest for Texas Best competition, encouraging a vibrant community of entrepreneurs.
As the competition wraps up and the winners bask in their well-deserved recognition, the future looks bright for Texas entrepreneurs. With events like this fostering local talent, there’s no telling what unique innovations coming from the heart of Texas will be unveiled in the years to come.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- H-E-B Newsroom
- Wikipedia: H-E-B
- San Antonio Express-News
- Google Search: H-E-B Quest for Texas Best
- Spectrum News
- Google Scholar: H-E-B local businesses
- Houston Chronicle
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Small Business Competitions
- Valley Central
- Google News: H-E-B Quest for Texas Best 2025
Author: STAFF HERE HOUSTON TX WRITER
HOUSTON STAFF WRITER The HOUSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHouston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Houston, Harris County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Art Car Parade, and Chevron Houston Marathon. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Houston Partnership and Houston Area Urban League, plus leading businesses in energy and healthcare that power the local economy such as ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, and Houston Methodist. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
