Summer 2022 | Insights to Opportunity
www.houstontx.gov/obo | Page 3
Applications Open Through Aug. 19 for Liftoff Houston Startup Business Plan Competition By: Enzo Mungu
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pplications are now open for the Liftoff Houston Startup Business Plan Competition, where three winners in the areas of “product,” “service,” and “innovation” will each receive $10,000 in seed money to fund their dreams of entrepreneurship. The event, which has been sponsored by Capital One Bank and administered by the Houston Public Library (HPL) and the Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) since its inception, has assisted more than 15,000 new and aspiring entrepreneurs. Of all competition finalists, 27 winners have started businesses in retail, merchandise, labor, consulting, software, hardware, market businesses, hospitality, tourism, health and fitness, education, finance, technology, and logistics. Aimed at bolstering Houstonians in the entrepreneurial space through business literacy, education and mentorship, Liftoff Houston helps participants contribute to the growth of their communities and the overall economy of Houston as they start their own businesses. To be eligible for the competition, applicants must live in, and operate their businesses within the city limits of Houston. The business should be for-profit, in operation for less than one year, and have verifiable revenue that does not exceed
OBO ACCOLADES The Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce presented OBO with its Chamber Advocacy Award during its 2022 Pride in Business Awards, held June 22 at the Downtown Houston Aquarium. OBO was named a Supplier Diversity Champion and honored for being a Presenting Sponsor at the annual Subcontractors USA Awards Luncheon, held June 22 at the Junior League of Houston. Congratulations to the 2022 graduates of the Interagency Mentor Protégé
TENTH ANNIVERSARY LAUNCH: Mayor Sylvester Turner, joined by HPL Deputy Director Nicole Robinson, Capital One Bank Market President Yasmin Huebinger, and OBO Director Marsha Murray, recognized Liftoff Houston alumni who have grown their businesses past the startup phase - 2019 Service Category winner Sherhara Downing of SpeakHaus and business partner Christa Clarke, 2016 Service Category winner Jennifer Thai of Awesome Bites Co., and 2018 Innovation Category winner Alphonso Roundtree of Social Bevy.
$10,000. Those who are not eligible to compete can participate in the Educational Pathway, which allows them access to all workshops and mentorship sessions. Introduced in 2020, this option extends the program’s educational benefits to areas outside the Houston city limits. “As we celebrate a decade of Liftoff Houston, we look forward to making a
greater impact for Houston’s aspiring entrepreneurs,” said OBO Director Marsha Murray. “This competition will provide participants with a clear roadmap to help them achieve their goals of succeeding as a small business owner.” To apply for Liftoff Houston, go to www. liftoffhouston.com. On Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, follow @liftoffhouston.
Program (IMPP). The Office of Business Opportunity and Houston Public Works, along with partner agencies Metro, Houston Independent School District, Port Houston, Houston Community College and Houston First Corporation, celebrated the cohort’s success with a graduation event on July 12 at the Houston Community College Auditorium. OBO’s 2022 Summer Interns completed this year’s program with an engaging capstone presentation on Aug. 1 that assesed the impact and effectivity of OBO’s programming. Kudos to interns D’Savion Henderson, Mark Luo, Alana Mangum, Moneasha
Rogeau, Alexis Shepard, and Frida Vazquez (pictured above), and to OBO Procurement Specialist Tifney Scott for managing this year’s program, which is part of the City of Houston’s Hire Houston Youth (HHY) Initiative.
