OBO Events - Summer 2021

Applications Open for Liftoff Houston

Wednesday, July 7 at 1 p.m. is Launch Day and the opening of theapplication period for the City of Houston’sAnnual Liftoff Houston Startup Business PlanCompetition. This program, sponsored byCapital One Bank, and in partnership withOBO and the Houston Public Library, willaward more than $30,000 in seed money toaspiring business owners in the categoriesof Service, Innovation and Product. FanFavorites will also be selected. There is alsoan Educational Pathway for those who donot qualify to compete. For more details,go to www.liftoffhouston.com or follow@liftoffhouston on Facebook and Twitter.

Texas Business Inclusion and Diversity Expo (TexBID)

Thursday, July 15 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Leverage your certifications and grow your market by learning how to do business with various Texas cities, government agencies, andcorporations. The TexBID Expo will featuresmall business success stories, businesspanels, reverse pitch session with majorTexas corporations, and a networkingsession with business resource providersand chambers of commerce. Ready tomaximize your MWSBE certifications?Register now at https://tinyurl.com/TexBIDExpo. For more information, contactPorscha.Jackson@houstontx.gov.

Small Business Administration Grant Funding

Tuesday, July 27 at 2 p.m. Learn about the Small BusinessInnovation Research (SBIR) and the SmallBusiness Technology Transfer (STTR)programs. These programs award grantsthat range from $100,000 to $1.5 million tosmall businesses to encourage innovationand the commercialization of innovations.SBIR grants allow small businesses toexplore their technological potential andcreate new innovations. STTR requires thatthe small business formally collaborate witha research institution. For more informationor to register for the event, contact Porscha.Jackson@houstontx.gov.