New 16-week hybrid program helps founders test, validate, and grow their ventures using LeanStack innovation method and community mentorship.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Houston, Texas — December 1, 2025
Impact Hub Houston, the city’s leading hub for social innovation and impact entrepreneurship, is excited to announce the official launch of its inaugural “Ideas to Impact Accelerator” cohort. The 16-week program is designed to help early-stage entrepreneurs test, validate, and grow their ventures through expert mentorship, peer collaboration, and the LeanStack innovation framework, developed by Ash Maurya.
The program kicked off on November 21, 2025, with Orientation Day at Impact Hub Houston’s location inside The Ion, welcoming founders across industries who are committed to building solutions that create positive impact for people and planet. With a structured pathway for founders to build and scale their businesses, participants will receive:
- Business model coaching to map and validate their business model using the LeanStack methodology.
- Mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts.
- Hands on training to grow their confidence to deliver a pitch that stands out.
- Peer collaboration and accountability circles to sustain momentum.
Impact Scholarships that significantly reduced program costs for qualifying founders were also provided to support development at this early stage of their journeys.
The Ideas to Impact Accelerator represents a pivotal evolution in how we inspire, connect, and empower entrepreneurs across Greater Houston. By combining proven impact and innovation frameworks from Impact Hub and LeanStack into this acceleration program, we’re not just teaching business skills – we’re acting as thought partners to help changemakers build purpose-driven ventures that address real-world needs, then validate business models to grow and sustain them. This inaugural cohort embodies our belief that the solutions to Houston’s greatest challenges already exist within our communities. They just need the right support system to flourish. And we’re excited to offer that to them, now, through acceleration within our locally rooted, globally connected network.
– Grace Rodriguez, Executive Director of Impact Hub Houston
Meet the Inaugural Cohort
- Yuri Perez, Yuyo: “We are building a scalable, tech-enabled wellness ecosystem (studio + app) that provides families daily access to movement, culture, and community support wherever they are.”
- Edwin Ruano, Latido Art Design: “We are developing a platform for unemployed talent and talent at risk due to AI implementation, to acquire and validate new high-demand digital skills and connect them with quality remote jobs.”
- Pat Lindsay Buscaino, Kuwento Co: “We are building a literary and cultural arts academy that helps Filipino families learn, create, preserve, and publish their stories for generations to come.”
- Joshlyn Ross, Maximized Money: “We are building a beginner-friendly program for millennial women to learn how to invest in the stock market and create financial freedom on their terms.”
- Lisa Williams, Glocal Gathering: “A guided vegetable discovery marketplace that helps families explore over 1,000 diverse produce varieties from around the world—grown locally.”
- Julio Gonzalez: “A digital public bulletin board that makes civic and community notices easy to publish, easy to find, and accessible from any device.”
- Katerine Cuellar, Okho Foods: “We are building an online platform for diabetics and pregnant mothers to access affordable health coaches, fitness coaches, and chefs who can guide them with personalized nutrition plans.”
- David A. Brown, The Change Lab: “We are building a platform to help our community take part in civic and social life through learning, connecting, and advocating.”
- Chikosolu Iwobi, Kolin Angels Home Health: “is creating a compassionate, all-in-one care network that surrounds every patient with skilled support and the guidance they need to thrive at home.”
- Michael Compean, MyBarFlow: “I am building a platform for the community to alleviate drunk driving while increasing employment opportunities.”
- Guillermo Saenz, GSB Consulting: “We are building a Community SEO engine for mission-driven organizations that connects them with trusted local connectors, helping them earn relevance through real community trust.”
- Edward Ferguson, HTown Handshakes: “We are building a relationship-based networking app and event ecosystem for sales professionals and small-business owners to help them build meaningful connections and real opportunities.”
- Angela Johnson, INNERVERSE Inc: “We are building a holistic youth development ecosystem for Houston middle schoolers to identify and align their personal values to fulfill Houston’s innovative landscape.”
- Dr. Faith Ohuoba, Myoviva Health: “We are building a tech enabled company for women with fibroids to help redefine care with AI guided personalized pathways.”
About Impact Hub Houston
Impact Hub Houston is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers entrepreneurs to build solutions for a more just and sustainable world. As part of a global network of 130+ Impact Hubs and 24,000+ members across 69 countries, we connect creative, committed changemakers and partner with organizations across sectors to strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems, inspire collaboration, and scale impact aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Grace Rodriguez
CEO, Impact Hub Houston
📧 [email protected]
🌐 houston.impacthub.net
