Business office of Business enterprise Possibility
Liftoff Houston Push Release
Mayor Turner Launches 10th Yearly Liftoff Houston Startup Enterprise Plan Level of competition
July 27, 2022 — Apps are now open up for the Liftoff Houston Startup Company Approach Level of competition, where a few winners will each get $10,000 in seed income to fund their goals of entrepreneurship. Applications must be obtained by 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 19.
The level of competition, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, is sponsored by Capital One Lender and administered by the Houston Community Library (HPL) and the Office of Enterprise Chance (OBO). Considering that its inception, Funds Just one has invested additional than $280,000 in startup funding to winners in a few classes – Innovation, Product or service and Services.
“For 10 years, Liftoff Houston has empowered participants to attain fiscal mobility through entrepreneurship,” claimed Mayor Sylvester Turner. “They have become critical drivers to the achievements of Houston’s overall economy, and they have contributed to our communities by generating positions and by providing considerably essential goods and solutions.”
To be suitable for the opposition, candidates must stay in, and operate their businesses within just the metropolis limits of Houston. The organization ought to be for-gain, in procedure for considerably less than a single yr, and have verifiable earnings that does not exceed $10,000. Those who are not qualified to contend can take part in the Academic Pathway, which permits entry to all educational and mentorship components of the software.
On acceptance into Liftoff Houston, individuals go to workshops above a 4-thirty day period time period that include essential business enterprise topics like business planning, advertising and marketing, funding and pitching. Individuals also get added aid by expert mentors from Score Houston and Funds Just one Lender to additional refine their business strategies, which are necessary to progress to the last spherical of the competition.
The function culminates to Pitch Working day on Nov. 5, the place three organizations in every contest classification are chosen to present their enterprise program to a panel of judges. All who satisfy specifications of the Academic Pathway acquire a certificate of completion.
Mayor Sylvester Turner, joined by HPL Deputy Director Nicole Robinson, Money Just one Financial institution Industry President Yasmin Huebinger, and OBO Director Marsha Murray, identified Liftoff Houston alumni who have developed their businesses previous the startup section: 2019 Service Classification winner Sherhara Downing of SpeakHaus and small business partner Christa Clarke, 2016 Service Category winner Jennifer Thai of Great Bites Co., and 2018 Innovation Classification winner Alphonso Roundtree of Social Bevy.
“This year’s milestone levels of competition will verify to be one more exciting year of chance for Houstonians who are prepared to transfer their strategies of business enterprise ownership forward,” stated Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson, director of the Houston Public Library. “We are delighted to join OBO, Funds A person and a host of other companions in supporting their enhancement and desires by means of the provision of free of charge library expert services and entry to business enterprise and financial commitment reference methods, state of the art technological know-how, and large-velocity Wi-Fi.”
Due to the fact its inception, extra than 15,000 people today have participated in Liftoff Houston. Of all level of competition finalists, 27 winners have begun corporations in retail, products, labor, consulting, software package, components, sector companies, hospitality, tourism, wellness and health, education and learning, finance, technological know-how, and logistics.
Information gathered from the 2021 competitiveness showed Liftoff Houston created an affect in populations that have been traditionally marginalized. Of all individuals, 96{8ba6a1175a1c659bbdaa9a04b06717769bcea92c0fdf198d429188ebbca09471} discovered as people today of colour, 70{8ba6a1175a1c659bbdaa9a04b06717769bcea92c0fdf198d429188ebbca09471} have been feminine, 56{8ba6a1175a1c659bbdaa9a04b06717769bcea92c0fdf198d429188ebbca09471} had no university diploma, and 41{8ba6a1175a1c659bbdaa9a04b06717769bcea92c0fdf198d429188ebbca09471} produced underneath $30,000.
Also in 2021, all winners were gals:
- Alina Kravchenko of TonerBum (Innovation), a patented glute and leg-toning dumbbell ergonomically developed to match driving the back of the leg
- Krystle Hodge of SafetyKay, LLC (Item), comprising basic safety kits and films that instruct little ones important basic safety capabilities and
- Clara Orlean of ClaraTech (Provider), in-individual technological know-how coaching that helps older adults with technology consulting classes and workshops.
“As we celebrate a decade of Liftoff Houston, we appear forward to producing an even increased effects for Houston’s aspiring business owners,” mentioned OBO Director Marsha Murray. “This levels of competition will offer you with a distinct roadmap to aid you accomplish your targets of succeeding as a compact enterprise owner.”
To apply for Liftoff Houston, go to www.liftoffhouston.com. Also observe @liftoffhouston on Facebook and Instagram.
