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For the past several months, 20 entrepreneurs and small businesses have been developing the tools, the strategy and the mindset to grow their business as part of the 2025 Fort Worth Business Plan Competition.
Cody Stobaugh
Now, the top eight competitors will be moving on to the finale, and that much closer to a shot at one of the top three cash prizes. The finalists will pitch their completed business plans to a panel of judges from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 14, at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Tickets are free and available online, though RSVPs are required.
Among those who will not be moving on to the final is Cody Stobaugh, founder of the Stobaugh Group, a Bedford-based cybersecurity research and development firm. But Stobaugh’s story is one of the competition’s most compelling narratives.
At 33, Stobaugh has carved an unconventional path. A former demolition worker, carpenter, and Lockheed Martin employee, he turned a COVID-era layoff into an opportunity to launch his own cybersecurity company — without outside capital.
Stobaugh’s passion for security research dates to his teens, when he cut his teeth on “rooting” and “jailbreaking” early versions of iOS and Android. The reverse engineering skills he picked up then laid the groundwork for a career in uncovering vulnerabilities and understanding exploitation methods.
That background gave him the confidence to strike out on his own after a layoff from Lockheed Martin. He tried repeatedly to land a cybersecurity job after his layoff, eventually feeling completely locked out of the industry, despite his skills. Rather than wait on corporate gatekeepers, he proved himself directly in the marketplace. The frustration became one of the driving forces behind launching the Stobaugh Group.
By early 2023, he had already disclosed his first vulnerability. Later that year, he earned his first official CVE — Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures — for discovering a flaw in Samsung’s proprietary OneUI software.
Before year’s end, Google’s Vulnerability Reward Program gave him an “Honorable Mention” for reverse engineering and disabling safeguards within its Bard API — work he pulled off before documentation on the system was even publicly available.
“I could start this business with no capital," he said. "I have everything I need, and I have the computer and I have my brain.”
The Stobaugh Group helps businesses meet compliance requirements and strengthen defenses through preemptive security assessments and penetration testing. His first client, a company in Miami, signed on after he promised, “Give me the shot. I promise you won’t be disappointed. And if you’re not happy with the work, it’s free.”
That client remains with him today.
Stobaugh’s business model is built on efficiency. With low overhead, he is able to undercut industry giants like Deloitte and IBM by as much as 66% while delivering what clients call “the best of the best” in quality. He draws talent from local cybersecurity meetups such as DC214, finding skilled but often overlooked practitioners. His approach — prioritizing human insight over automated tools — was validated when he uncovered a high-severity vulnerability in Android’s Enterprise Mobility Suite, one that had gone undetected since 2014 until Google confirmed it.
“You can’t beat the human mind,” Stobaugh said. “It took the human perspective and insight to just play with it.”
About the competition
Now in its 14th year, the Fort Worth Business Plan Competition helps local entrepreneurs develop the tools, strategy and mindset to grow their businesses for long-term success, culminating in a written business plan. Along the way, competitors receive coaching and mentorship from groups including Accelerate Fort Worth, Ensemble Coworking, Foundations EDC, SCORE Fort Worth and TechFW.
The following competitors will be pitching in the finale on Oct. 14:
Create + Collaborate – A nonprofit helping first-generation college students transition into adulthood through mentoring, leadership training and life skills.
Fort Worth STEAM Academy – A tuition-free public charter middle school focused on personalized learning and advanced STEAM education.
Modern Menagerie Interiors – A full-service interior studio that offers space planning, custom furnishings and project management for remodels and new construction.
OakSpy Signs and Graphics – A custom sign solution business that specializes in ADA-compliant signage.
Open-Minded Counseling – Offers mental health and wellness services through in-person, virtual or hybrid sessions.
Story and Strategy PR – A boutique public relations agency with a focus on healthcare, nonprofit and higher education.
TULLA – An integrated coaching, consulting, training and therapy company, focused on helping people reach their full potential and contribute their talents in meaningful ways.
XO Halal – A subscription-based snack box that curates halal-certified treats from around the world.