Doral Seeds Celebrates Inaugural Program

Published on September 03, 2026

with $50,000 Grant Award to ROCO 4X4

Doral is investing in the people who help keep its business community growing. In 2026, the City of Doral launched Doral Seeds, a new program designed to give local businesses the support and resources they need to take their next big step.

The inaugural program brought together entrepreneurs from across Doral for a chance to compete for $50,000 in grant funding, while also gaining valuable business education, guidance, and new connections along the way. With support from Banesco USA, Perry Ellis International, and the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at FIU, Doral Seeds gave participating businesses an opportunity to sharpen their ideas, strengthen their plans, and prepare to pitch their vision.

After a competitive application process, five businesses advanced to the final round. As part of the program, finalists received business development and pitch preparation support, including educational sessions through the Florida Small Business Development Center at FIU, helping them strengthen their plans and prepare for the final presentation.

But the program also created something that extends beyond Demo Night: a new community of Doral entrepreneurs and innovators connected not only to one another, but to a broader network of business, academic, financial, and economic development leaders. Through Doral Seeds, participating businesses gained exposure and relationships with organizations such as the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, Miami-Dade County, FIU, Banesco USA, Perry Ellis International, and other partners across the region.

It all came together on September 1, 2026, at the Doral Cultural Arts Center, during the inaugural Doral Seeds Demo Night. In front of a panel of judges, community leaders, local businesses, and guests, each finalist took the stage to share their story, explain where they want to take their business, and make their case for the grant. Mayor Christi Fraga and Councilman Rafael Pineyro joined the audience for the evening, celebrating the finalists and the City’s newest initiative supporting local entrepreneurs.

The evening culminated with the announcement of the program’s first grant recipient: ROCO 4X4, led by CEO Rebeca Olavarrieta, who received the full $50,000 award.

Based in Doral, ROCO 4X4 serves the automotive aftermarket industry, and the grant will help the company accelerate growth already underway through investments in technology, marketing, expansion into new sales channels and territories, operational improvements, workforce training, and other initiatives designed to strengthen the company’s competitiveness and support its continued growth from Doral.

The company’s accelerated growth plan also anticipates additional local jobs and expansion into new e-commerce channels and international markets, further connecting the grant investment with economic activity and business growth in the City of Doral.

While one business received the grant, the impact of Doral Seeds reaches further. The program created new relationships, new business connections, greater visibility for local entrepreneurs, and a growing network of founders and innovators who can continue learning from and supporting one another.

That network is part of the long-term value of the initiative. By bringing entrepreneurs together with experienced business leaders, institutions, and economic development partners, Doral Seeds helps strengthen the infrastructure around local businesses so they are better positioned to grow, collaborate, create jobs, and pursue new opportunities.

Following its inaugural program, the City of Doral looks forward to building on this momentum and continuing to connect local businesses with funding, education, strategic relationships, and opportunities to grow.

Congratulations to Rebeca Olavarrieta and the ROCO 4X4 team, and to all of the inaugural Doral Seeds finalists for being part of this exciting first chapter.

The seeds have officially been planted, and Doral is looking forward to seeing what grows next.