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

This is a glossary of terms used for organizations and resources within the McNair Center's Guide to Small Business in Houston.

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

This is the type of organization available to small business owners. Although the classification of an organization describes its primary purpose, the business may offer services outside of its classification.

Classification	Description
Certifier	An organization that is a certifier provides formal accreditations that accompany a training program or application. Certifications can be required, or just plain beneficial, for small businesses to complete.
Consultant	An organization that is a consultant gives you advice regarding problems or concerns you have about your business.
Development Center	An organization offering a full suite of business resources, ranging from networking and mentoring opportunities to physical meeting spaces and workshops. Small business owners may take advantage of these resources, but are not required to access all of them at the same time when working with the development center.
Education Hub	An organization that is an education hub for small business owners can come in a variety of forms, from enrolling in full-on MBA programs to taking specific courses on search engine optimization and identifying target audience. Here, we focus on the smaller and more affordable education resources that don't require enrollment in a degree program. Education is one of the many helpful resources for your small business. The amount of time and money small business owners should invest into additional education will vary from person to person so explore your options.
Financier	An organization who is a financier is responsible for obtaining funds for your enterprise. Many organizations have money or resources available to help you get the funding you need to finance your business.
Incubator	An incubator offers services to startups like training, education, mentoring, connections and possibly office space without a specific, finite program for the startup to complete (i.e. finite = accelerator).
Marketer	A marketing organization provides the small business with strategy and tools to advertise their product and reach their customer base. Services may vary from macro-strategy consulting for reaching new customers to hands-on search engine optimization (SEO).
Networking Hub	A networking hub will help you build connections and sustain enduring, mutually beneficial relationships. Networking is one of many helpful resources to explore for your small business.

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.

Developmental 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).

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.