Austin FC and Q2 Name OCA Foods Winner of the 2026 Dream Starter Competition
OCA Foods has been named the winner of the 2026 Austin FC Dream Starter Competition presented by Q2 Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: QTWO), earning $100,000 in funding to support the company’s continued growth and expansion. The announcement highlights OCA’s rapid rise as an emerging food brand and underscores the importance of community-driven entrepreneurship programs designed to help small businesses scale their impact.
The Austin FC Dream Starter initiative was created to support entrepreneurs across Central Texas by providing funding, visibility, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Through the program, Austin FC and Q2 aim to help founders overcome financial and operational barriers while building stronger, more inclusive local economies. By selecting OCA Foods as this year’s winner, the competition recognizes not only the company’s innovative business model, but also its mission to connect culture, health-conscious snacking, and community engagement.
Founded in Austin, Texas, OCA Foods is a Brazilian-inspired snack company focused on introducing a modern, preservative-free version of Paçoca to American consumers. Paçoca is a traditional peanut-based snack that has long been popular throughout Brazil, celebrated for its simple ingredients and nostalgic connection to family gatherings, celebrations, and everyday life. OCA’s approach reimagines the classic treat with clean-label ingredients and a focus on healthier snacking trends while maintaining the authentic flavor and cultural heritage behind the product.
The company was established by founder Renato Raposo, who sought to create a brand that reflected both his Brazilian roots and the diverse, entrepreneurial spirit of Austin. Through OCA Foods, Raposo hopes to provide consumers with snacks that are familiar, wholesome, and rooted in tradition while also fostering a sense of connection among communities through food.
Austin FC President Andy Loughnane said the organization was proud to recognize OCA Foods for its innovation and cultural impact. According to Loughnane, the company’s mission reflects the inclusive values that the Dream Starter initiative was designed to promote.
“Alongside our partners at Q2, we’re excited to announce OCA as this year’s Dream Starter winner,” said Loughnane. “Their work creates a unique connection between the cultures of Texas and Brazil and exemplifies the strength in diversity of Austin’s entrepreneurial community.”
The Dream Starter Competition is closely aligned with Austin FC’s inclusivity through equity community pillar, which focuses on creating opportunities for underserved and emerging entrepreneurs. By partnering with Q2 Holdings, Austin FC has continued to expand the reach of the initiative and provide meaningful support to local businesses with strong growth potential.
Q2 Holdings, a financial technology company headquartered in Austin, has positioned the Dream Starter initiative as part of its broader mission to strengthen communities through economic empowerment and innovation. Q2 President, Chairman and CEO Matt Flake said OCA Foods stood out because of its purpose-driven approach and commitment to serving communities through accessible and culturally inspired products.
“Our mission is to build strong and diverse communities by strengthening their financial institutions, and we see that same spirit in OCA,” said Flake. “We’re proud to support their mission alongside Austin FC and excited to see how this recognition will help them grow their business in Central Texas.”
For Raposo, the recognition represents a major milestone in his entrepreneurial journey. As an immigrant founder building a business from the ground up, he said the Dream Starter Competition embodies the kind of support system that can help small businesses succeed in competitive markets.
“I have no words to express what winning the 2026 Dream Starter Competition means to me,” said Raposo. “It is an honor and an incredible opportunity to bring our products to more people and better serve our communities.”
Raposo added that OCA Foods was created with a vision extending beyond traditional snack manufacturing. The company aims to inspire healthier eating habits while creating opportunities for cultural exchange and economic growth.
“As an immigrant founder building a business from the ground up, I deeply connect with the Dream Starter mission of empowering entrepreneurs and strengthening local communities,” Raposo said. “OCA is more than a snack brand; it is a platform to create opportunities, inspire healthier choices, and bring people together.”
The 2026 competition attracted a strong group of finalists representing a variety of industries and entrepreneurial backgrounds. In addition to OCA Foods, finalists included Hem Support Wear, HealthQuest, GrantAppli, and PachaMama Bees. Each finalist participated in a live pitch competition held on May 27 at Q2 Stadium, home of Austin FC.
During the event, finalists presented their business models, growth strategies, and community impact initiatives before a panel of judges made up of representatives from Austin FC, Q2 Holdings, and members of Austin’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Judges evaluated each company based on innovation, scalability, mission alignment, and potential impact within the community.
OCA Foods ultimately emerged as the top choice because of its compelling brand story, market opportunity, and focus on creating meaningful connections through culturally inspired food products. The $100,000 award is expected to help the company expand distribution, strengthen operations, and continue building brand awareness throughout Texas and beyond.
As part of the recognition, OCA Foods will receive a formal check presentation during halftime of the Austin FC versus Seattle Sounders match on July 22. The event is expected to provide additional visibility for the company while celebrating entrepreneurship in front of thousands of soccer fans and community supporters.
The Dream Starter initiative has already played a significant role in supporting local entrepreneurs since its launch. Previous winners include Good Grief, 29Eleven the Salon, SocialNote, CDL Changing Lanes Driving School, and At Ease Rentals Corporation. Each recipient has used the funding and exposure from the program to expand operations, create jobs, and strengthen their impact within local communities.
By continuing to invest in emerging businesses like OCA Foods, Austin FC and Q2 are reinforcing the growing connection between sports organizations, corporate partnerships, and community development initiatives. The program demonstrates how professional sports franchises can serve as platforms for economic inclusion and entrepreneurial opportunity while also fostering cultural diversity and innovation.
For OCA Foods, the Dream Starter recognition marks the beginning of a new phase of growth. With increased funding, expanded visibility, and support from two major Austin-based organizations, the company is positioned to accelerate its mission of bringing authentic Brazilian-inspired snacks to a wider audience while staying true to its roots in community, heritage, and simple ingredients.
As consumer demand continues to rise for healthier and culturally authentic food products, OCA Foods enters the next stage of its journey with strong momentum and the backing of a community eager to support local innovation. The company’s victory in the 2026 Austin FC Dream Starter Competition not only highlights its business potential, but also reflects the broader entrepreneurial energy and diversity that continue to shape Austin’s thriving startup ecosystem.
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