Guide to Small Business in Houston

Research Abstract

The Houston small business ecosystem consists of many development centers, incubators, education centers and networking organizations. The research complied below is an overarching look at the different resources available for entrepreneurs in Houston. Each institution is accompanied by short descriptions and program details to help the entrepreneur understand which resource is best suited for them. In addition, convenience and developmental stage scales are included to better classify the institutions and the services they offer.

Glossary

Name:
This is the official name of the organization. Keep in mind that some organizations may be part of a larger umbrella program or organization.

Classification:
Incubator

Non-Profit Status:
Is this organization a non-profit or a for-profit? Generally, non-profits exist to provide a public service.

Cost:
How much does it cost to use the particular resource?

Cost	Price Description
$	<$50
$$	$50-250
$$$	$250-1000
$$$$	>$1000

Developmental Stage:
The developmental stage listed in each institution's info box is the suggested business development stage that an entrepreneur should at least be at in order to succeed with an organization. Many times, knowing which areas of business development you need assistance with can make the whole process more efficient.

Development Stage	Description
Concept	The small business owner needs assistance with or has recently completed their business plan, and basic development of their business's structure.
Start-Up	The business has just become incorporated.
Growth	The small business owner has perhaps turned a profit or is more comfortable with their initial planning and seeks to scale their business growth.
Established	The business has been around for at least a couple years and the owner feels confident about their role as an entrepreneur.

Minorities:
This organization provides specific resources for minority small business owners.

Women:
This organization provides specific resources for female small business owners.

Education:
This organization provides specific education resources for small business owners.

Certification:
This organization provides specific certification resources for small businesses and their owners.

Consulting:
This organization provides specific consulting resources for small business owners.

Coworking:
This organization provides specific co-working spaces for small businesses.

Financing:
This organization provides specific financing resources for your small business.

Meeting:
This organization provides specific meeting spaces for small businesses.

Mentoring:
This organization provides specific mentoring opportunities for small business owners.

Networking:
This organization provides specific networking opportunities for small business owners.

Website:
This is the official website of the organization, where you can find out more about the resource and its services.

Contact E-Mail:
This is an e-mail used to communicate with the organization. Keep in mind there is more than one way to contact the organization (e.g. Facebook Messenger, Twitter, phone call)

Contact Phone Number:
This is a phone number used to communicate with the organization. Keep in mind there is more than one way to contact the organization (e.g. Facebook Messenger, Twitter, E-Mail)

Accessibility scale:
The accessibility scale exists to aid in your search for an organization that is best suited for you. "High" implies that the organization is easy to join, and membership dues, or service costs are fairly affordable. Following that logic, "Moderate" signals an increase in difficulty to become a member and/or a steeper membership price. "Low" accessibility means that admittance is selective and/or the cost is significantly high.

Developmental stage scale:
The developmental stage listed in each institution's info box is the suggested business development stage that an entrepreneur should at least be at in order to succeed with an organization. "Concept" implies that the entrepreneur needs assistance with or has recently completed their business plan, and basic development of their business's structure. "Start-Up" designates a business that has just become incorporated. "Growth" signifies that the entrepreneur has perhaps turned a profit or is more comfortable with their initial planning and seeks to scale their business growth. "Established" indicates that your business has been around for at least a couple years or more and you feel confident about your role as a business owner now. Many times, knowing which areas of business development you need assistance with can make the whole process more efficient.

Interactive Map

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Portal

Resources

Need help finding specific resources for your small business? Visit the pages below for detailed help on specific aspects of creating and growing a small business. We also include resources depending on the size and stage of the business, and the budget of the business. Finally, a list of special resources for specific small business owners is provided.

Studied Institutions

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PLs8gUZkT_bRJQGBjbNsTQSVm2AaYZX70d02JAOwwEc/edit?ts=57f2c091#gid=0

Institution Name	Classification	Cost	Developmental Stage
Build Up Houston	Education Hub	$$$	Growth
French American Chamber of Commerce	Development Center	$	Start-Up
Greater Houston Partnership Programs	Education Hub Networking Hub	$$	Start-Up
Hispanic Women's Network of Texas	Networking Hub	$	Start-Up
Houston Area Council of ABWA	Education Hub Networking Hub	$	Concept Start-Up Growth Established
Houston Business Development Inc.	Development Center	$	Start-Up
Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce	Education Hub Networking Hub	$$	Start-Up
Houston MBDA Business Center	Development Center	$	Growth
Houston Minority Supplier Development Council	Development Center	$$	Growth
Houston Small Business Administration	Education Hub Networking Hub	$	Concept Start-Up Growth Established
Houston Small Business Marketing	Marketer	$$	Growth
Interagency Mentor Protege Program	Education Hub Networking Hub	$	Start-Up
LoneStar Small Business Development Center	Development Center	$	Concept
Minority/Women/Small/Persons with Disabilities Business Enterprises (MWSBE and PDBE) Certification	Certifier	$	Growth
National Association of Professional Women	Education Hub Networking Hub	$$$	Start-Up Growth
National Association of Women Business Owners	Networking Hub	$	Start-Up Growth
SCORE Houston	Development Center	$	Concept
SEO Repair Shop	Marketer	$$	Concept
Startup Grind	Networking Hub	$$	Start-Up
Texas Hospitality for Small Business Owners	Development Center	$	Start-Up
Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center	Development Center	$$	Concept Start-Up
The Block Group	Consultant	$$	Start-Up
The Greater Houston Women's Chamber of Commerce	Education Hub Networking Hub Financier	$$	Growth Established
The Houston Entrepreneurs' Forum	Networking Hub	$	Concept Start-Up Growth Established
The Indus Entrepreneurs Houston	Networking Hub	$	Concept Start-Up Growth Established
The Intercontinental Chamber of Commerce	Education Hub Networking Hub	$$$	Growth
UH Small Business Development Center	Development Center	$	Growth
Women's Business Enterprise Alliance	Education Hub Networking Hub	$$	Concept

Master Table

Additional resources

North Houston Economic Development Council
Turner School of Construction Mangement
The Houston West Chamber of Commerce
Professional Women's Network of Houston
Northwest Houston Business and Professional Women
The Entrepreneurs' Organization
Houston West Chamber of Commerce
LiftFund Women’s Business Center