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6 Dallas-Fort Worth cities among best U.S. places to start a business

Dallas loves big business.

Dallas-Fort Worth's track record for developing entrepreneurial powerhouses has been recognized in WalletHub's just-released list of the "Best Large Cities to Start a Business" for 2025. DFW contributed six cities among the top 50, with Dallas proper landing in the No. 16 spot.

The annual report ranked 100 U.S. cities based on 19 metrics across three main categories: business environment, access to resources, and costs. Factors considered in the report include five-year business survival rates, job growth comparisons from 2019 and 2023, office space affordability, and more.

The central Florida city of Orlando came in at No. 1, topping the list as the best large city for starting a business this year.

Dallas' business climate has slipped slightly since 2024, when the city previously ranked No. 14.

Dallas scored highly in the "national business environment" category, ranking No. 13 out of all 100 cities in the report. But it got much lower marks in categories such as access to resources and business costs.

And it earned a dubious prize: Dallas workers have the second-longest workweeks nationwide.

"Starting a business can be very scary, considering one in every five startups doesn’t make it past the first year," said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. "That’s why it’s especially important to live in a city that provides an environment where new businesses can thrive, with enough capital, workers and customers to keep it going long-term."

Despite this study's less-than-stellar review of the city's entrepreneurial spirit, there are many Dallas-based businesses that reigned superior on Fortune’s 2025 list of "America’s Most Innovative Companies." Dallas is also getting its own regional Nasdaq headquarters, so the metro clearly loves big business.

Across the Metroplex, Fort Worth ranked the highest out of all six DFW cities in the report at No. 11, followed by Arlington (No. 15), Irving (No. 22), Garland (No. 29), and Plano (No. 43).

Elsewhere in Texas
Austin was the only Texas city to rank among the top 10 best big cities to start a business in 2025, climbing up into the No. 3 spot.

Other large Texas cities that were named among the best places to start a business in 2025 include Lubbock (No. 33), Houston (No. 34), Laredo (No. 44), San Antonio (No. 64), El Paso (No. 67), and Corpus Christi (No. 70).

The top 10 best large cities to start a business in 2025 are:

No. 1 – Orlando, Florida
No. 2 – Tampa, Florida
No. 3 – Austin, Texas
No. 4 – Jacksonville, Florida
No. 5 – Miami, Florida
No. 6 – St. Petersburg, Florida
No. 7 – Boise, Idaho
No. 8 – Atlanta, Georgia
No. 9 – Raleigh, North Carolina
No. 10 – Hialeah, Florida

innovation wallethub rankings business entrepreneurship dallas fort worth plano garland irving arlington

Women Rule

Carrollton CEO makes list of fastest growing women businesses in U.S.

Buzzballs

Buzzballs' Merrilee Kick

A CEO based in Carrollton was recently named one of the fastest-growing women-led businesses in the United States: Merrilee Kick, founder of spherical cocktail brand BuzzBallz, made the top five on nonprofit Women President Organization's 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies list.

BuzzBallz, which is in the fourth spot on the list, was founded by Kick in 2009 and acquired by spirits company Sazerac in 2024. Following a career as a high school teacher, Kick decided to create ready-to-drink cocktails, such as martinis and margaritas, served in a plastic can rather than a glass.

To be considered for this list, businesses must operate under the leadership of a woman, and have a minimum of $500,000 in annual revenue for each of the previous five years. Plus, they must have sustained substantial year-over-year growth, demonstrating post-pandemic recovery in industries like travel and hospitality, health and wellness, manufacturing, and food and beverage.

The top five include:

Collette led by President and CEO Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Unite Digital led by President and CEO Stacey Coopes, based in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Embark Beyond led by Co-founder and Managing Partner Julie Danziger, based in New York City, New York
BuzzBallz (Southern Champion) led by CEO and Founder Merrilee Kick, based in Carrollton, Texas
Cymbiotika led by CEO Durana Elmi, based in San Diego, California

Kick joins two other Texas business owners on the list — both in Houston — including Pamela Chambers O'Rourke, founder and CEO of Icon Information Consultants, and Tara Harmon-Kramer, owner of Meltar Supply, at sixth and 23rd place on the list respectively.

According to a release, businesses on this year’s list collectively generated more than $7 billion in gross revenue, and employed more than 15,000 people, in 2024.

Most of the selected companies offer remote work arrangements and parental leave, and company milestones included major contracts secured and national retailer launches.

“With a strong commitment to innovation, purpose, and people, these companies exemplify the essential role women-owned and led businesses play in building a more sustainable and inclusive economy," says CEO of the Women Presidents Organization Camille Burns in a statement. "This recognition is more than a milestone — it’s a powerful affirmation of the transformative influence women have in shaping modern business."

The 50 Fastest list is sponsored by J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking, and participation was open to all qualifying businesses.

A comprehensive evaluation process then ranked all eligible companies using a proprietary sales growth formula that factored in both percentage and absolute growth, finalizing the WPO’s selection of the top 50 performers for recognition.

Honorees will be recognized during a ceremony at the WPO Entrepreneurial Excellence Forum at The Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort in San Antonio on May 8.

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