Buda is preparing for a weeklong spotlight on entrepreneurship, small business growth and regional innovation as BEE2B Week is coming June 20–26.
Organized by the Buda Economic Development Corporation, the annual initiative brings together students, founders, entrepreneurs and industry leaders for programs aimed at strengthening Buda’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
What is BEE2B week?
BEE2B Week is a citywide entrepreneurship initiative focused on connection, learning and business growth for all stages—from student creators to established owners.
This year’s theme, “Reach for the Stars,” emphasizes ambition and forward momentum, with programming from local small business development to emerging opportunities in aerospace, defense and advanced manufacturing—linking entrepreneurship with larger industries shaping Central Texas.
Signature events anchor the 2026 schedule:
- BEE Market: June 20
- Coffee with the Hive Cohorts: June 24
- Entrepreneur Camp: June 26
- Buda-ful Fest: June 26
“BEE2B week is about bringing people together at every stage of entrepreneurship, so they can learn from each other, grow their ideas and explore possibilities in this community,” said Jacquie Martinez, Assistant Director of Small Business Initiatives.
Young entrepreneurs take flight: BEE Market?
The week begins Saturday, June 20, with the BEE Market—Buda Early Entrepreneurs Market—at Buda City Hall. The event is open to young entrepreneurs ages five to 18 who are Buda residents, allowing them to create, market, and sell their goods or services directly to the public.
Visitors are encouraged to attend, shop the market and support the young vendors by purchasing their products.
Past participants have showcased handmade crafts, jewelry, baked goods, 3D-printed products and small service-based businesses, reflecting a wide range of entrepreneurial interests in the community.
“We see what happens when young people can build something of their own,” Martinez said. “They are the future, and they’re capable of far more than expected.”
This year, standout vendors will join Entrepreneur Camp as featured voices, sharing their businesses alongside industry speakers. The crossover reinforces a core idea of the week: Entrepreneurship is not age-bound, and innovation starts early.
Where entrepreneurs connect: Coffee with the Hive Cohorts
On June 24 from 9-11 a.m. at Nate’s, Coffee with the Hive Cohorts offers a closer look at the pipeline of entrepreneurs in the Buda Hive program.
The gathering highlights participants completing an eight-week cohort focused on building, refining and preparing to launch their businesses.
The event offers a midweek touchpoint for attendees to hear from emerging founders, learn about their ventures and connect with the broader entrepreneurial community in a casual setting.
From startup to scale-up: Entrepreneur Camp
On Friday, June 26, Entrepreneur Camp brings together founders at all stages for a full day, immersive program spanning retail, restaurants, professional services and more.
The third annual camp aims to move beyond introductory concepts and focus on growth at scale. Sessions will cover business development, marketing strategy, financial planning and emerging industry trends.
Programming will include speakers and partners from aerospace, defense technology and regional startup and accelerator networks.
The goal is to connect local entrepreneurs with industries and ideas shaping the next wave of innovation while challenging attendees—whether they run a storefront or are building something new—to think bigger about what comes next.
Celebrating growth and achievement: Buda-ful Fest
Closing out Entrepreneur Camp on Friday, June 26, Buda-ful Fest wraps up the week with a celebration of entrepreneurship and progress in the Buda Hive program.
The event includes an awards ceremony recognizing participants who completed the Hive’s cohort-based training, alongside a pitch competition for emerging entrepreneurs to present their business ideas. The programming highlights achievement and momentum—celebrating past successes while spotlighting future goals.
“It’s a fitting end to a week built around the belief that Buda’s entrepreneurial community is strong and thriving,” Martinez said. “Whether it’s a young entrepreneur at the BEE Market selling their first product or a small business owner at Entrepreneur Camp realizing they’re not alone, BEE2B Week shows that entrepreneurship isn’t one moment: it’s a continuum. This year, we’re challenging Buda’s entrepreneurs at every stage to think bigger and reach for the stars.”
A growing ecosystem
Martinez said the impact comes after the events end, through relationships formed between founders, partners and customers who continue working together afterward.
“You’re forming relationships with trusted individuals on the same journey,” she said.
For Buda EDC, the goal is to build an environment where ideas can move from concept to company, and where entrepreneurs at every stage can find support.
As BEE2B Week grows, it draws participants from Central Texas, reinforcing Buda’s position as a developing hub for small business and innovation.
To register or get full event details, click here.
The above story was produced by Multi-Platform Journalist Chloe Chapel, with the Community Impact's Storytelling team, using information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.