Tacoma Rising Seeks Community Partners for Student-Run Event
Jul 21, 2026, 11:07 AM
South Sound Business
Originally published on South Sound Business.
Tacoma Rising’s eight-week business accelerator is giving a group of high-school and college students hands-on experience building a business from the ground up.
Participating students are being guided through the creation and management the South Sound Showdown, a chili cook-off scheduled for Sept. 19 at the Rhodes Center in downtown Tacoma. The event will feature several restaurants competing for trophies, along with live music and a beer garden.
As the program enters week three, Tacoma Rising is looking to connect students with restaurants, food trucks, caterers, and other businesses with a commercial food license to participate in the competition. Participating businesses will provide chili for attendees to sample while having the opportunity to promote their businesses and sell additional items at the event.
The event is also open to sponsors, doubling as a fundraiser for scholarships, grants, and awards for students and young professionals participating in mentorship competitions throughout the year.
A free-to-attend soft opening on Aug. 27 will serve as the students’ capstone presentation and a dress rehearsal for the competition. Following their presentations, students will participate in a live Q&A panel led by Tacoma Rising founder Reid Fetters.
“Instead of a simulation or a case study, they’re building an actual business,” Fetters said. “We believe that we can start building their network now, showing them what it takes to build a business, what business looks like, and understanding what the pieces behind building a business are.”
Restaurants and businesses interested in supporting the program through participation or sponsorship can reach out to stayconnected@tacomarising.com.
