To increase accessibility to both our community and support resources for everyone striving for impact, starting November 1st, Impact Hub Houston will transition to a “Pay What You Can” model for Community Membership! We made this decision with the goal of fostering a more equitable and inclusive environment for all Changemakers coming from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Our mission to support social entrepreneurs and impact ventures remains steadfast as we move toward 2025 and beyond!
Updates to Membership:Community Membership will offer connections for those who want to be an active member of the Impact Hub Houston and Impact Hub Global communities and benefit from engaging with fellow changemakers. In lieu of the Growth Membership, which we are sunsetting, those who are ready to work on and actively grow their businesses will now be invited to apply for any of our Support Stack and acceleration programs as they are announced!
Event Hosting: If you would like to host an event with us that helps inspire, connect, and empower entrepreneurs, you now have the ability to apply for venue sponsorship! If approved, we would serve as a co-host for the event and work with you to ensure it is empowering and impactful. To apply for this, please complete the Impact Hub Houston Event Co-Host Application.
Mailing Address: We unfortunately can no longer accept mail on behalf of members or allow others to use our new mailing address as their own.
What’s Staying the Same?
Our unwavering commitment to helping social entrepreneurs and Changemakers to be SEEN, HEARD & VALUED.
Our focus on creating an intentional, inclusive, and international community where people who are working to solve Houston’s most pressing issues can flourish.
Access to an Impact-Driven Community: Build meaningful relationships with individuals like you who care about growing their ventures and making a difference. Connect with other thought leaders, and develop and access speaking, presentation, and pitch opportunities.
Drop in access to Impact Hub! Stop in and co-work or catch up during regular business hours Monday through Friday.
“Welcome to the Community” Feature: Get spotlighted on our social media accounts and showcase your organizations, events, and milestones in our monthly newsletter.
Global Opportunities: Engage with like-minded peers, partners, customers, and markets – and cultivate new opportunities – with Impact Hubs around the world.
Global Coworking Passport: Connect with a welcoming community and co-work at any of the 120+ Impact Hubs around the world.
Ecosystem Membership is Available: For mission-aligned organizations looking for a welcoming location to run programs and events, you are invited to join our ecosystem at $4,800/year for organizations with more than $1 million in annual revenue and $6,500/year for organizations with over $1 million annually..
We are excited about this new chapter at Impact Hub Houston and believe that these changes will allow us to serve our community better. We remain deeply committed to empowering each of you as you work toward your missions.
Impact Hub Houston Celebra su Sexto Aniversario con Resultados Excepcionales Durante el Primer Año del Innovador Programa MBDA Capital Readiness “Greater Houston Support Stack
PARA SU PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA
HOUSTON, TX – Impact Hub Houston, una organización líder dedicada a acelerar los ecosistemas de emprendimiento e innovación equitativos, se complace en invitar a todos los emprendedores y grupos de interés del ecosistema empresarial a la celebración de su sexto aniversario el viernes 11 de Octubre en su nueva sede ubicada en el Edificio Esperson, en el centro de Houston, para el lanzamiento público del Greater Houston Support Stack, una iniciativa fundada gracias al apoyo del Departamento del Tesoro de los EE.UU. y el premio del Programa de Preparación de Capital de MBDA (CRP, por sus siglas en inglés). Impact Hub Houston fue una de las dos únicas organizaciones en el estado de Texas, y 43 a nivel nacional, en recibir este premio, marcando un hito para MBDA tras la promulgación de la agencia como una agencia federal permanente a través de la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura. “El Programa de Preparación de Capital representa la mayor inversión en la historia del Departamento de Comercio para apoyar a empresarios y negocios desatendidos,” dijo la Secretaria de Comercio de EE.UU., Gina Raimondo.
Grace Rodriguez, Cofundadora y Directora Ejecutiva de Impact Hub Houston, declaró: “Nosotros y nuestros socios del Support Stack — Houston Minority Supplier Development Council (HMSDC), Houston Area Urban League, Houston Business Development, Inc. (HBDI), United4Change Center, Goodspero, y The Pivot Partner — estamos encantados de haber recibido este premio de MBDA para lanzar el Greater Houston Support Stack, y estamos aún más emocionados de compartir públicamente su éxito y el impulso para brindar apoyo coordinado a los emprendedores de nuestra región. Esta iniciativa representa un cambio de paradigma en cómo colaboramos como un verdadero ecosistema para ayudar a los emprendedores desatendidos a navegar por los recursos y oportunidades de nuestra región. Gracias al financiamiento de MBDA y a la dedicación de nuestros socios, el Support Stack está ayudando a las empresas a desarrollar capacidades, contactos, contratos y capital para prosperar, teniendo un impacto significativo en las vidas, familias y comunidades de miles de personas en el área metropolitana de Houston.”
“Nuestro enfoque para el crecimiento y desarrollo de negocios minoritarios implica trabajar estrechamente con nuestras organizaciones asociadas estratégicas para aprovechar nuestros recursos colectivos y crear una ventanilla única para nuestras pequeñas empresas. Esto garantiza que las empresas de propiedad diversa tengan acceso a los abundantes recursos que ofrecemos y a los servicios de nuestros socios,” dijo Ingrid Robinson, Presidenta y CEO de HMSDC.
“Impact Hub Houston es una fuerza impulsora en el fomento de la innovación y el crecimiento emprendedor en nuestra vibrante ciudad. Su liderazgo visionario está creando nuevas oportunidades para todos, y en United4Change Center (U4C) nos enorgullece colaborar con una organización tan dinámica y con toda la red del Support Stack. Juntos, estamos empoderando a las empresarias hispanas y ampliando el acceso a oportunidades económicas para la creciente y diversa población de Houston. Nuestra alianza es esencial para avanzar en nuestra misión compartida de construir resiliencia y prosperidad en nuestra comunidad,” dijo Ximena Murillo, CEO de United4Change Center.
Inspirado por el concepto de un “stack tecnológico” sobre la cual las startups construyen sus soluciones, el Greater Houston Support Stack ofrece una base sólida para que los emprendedores hagan crecer sus negocios. Su red de organizaciones de apoyo a emprendedores y empresas, incubadoras, aceleradores, Instituciones Financieras de Desarrollo Comunitario (CDFI), instituciones al servicio de las minorías (MSI) y grupos de desarrollo económico aprovechan su experiencia única para proporcionar una estrategia coordinada, una estructura clara y un conjunto integral de programas, servicios y apoyo, que incluye:
Compartir conocimientos y “mejores prácticas” de forma proactiva
Evaluación de necesidades
Programas y servicios relevantes para cada etapa
Referencias oportunas
Monitoreo de progreso colectivo
Con este enfoque, el Support Stack ha demostrado un impacto significativo en su primer año:
Más de 3,000 personas se han conectado y construido sus redes profesionales
406 emprendedores han completado programas de aceleración y capacitación
159 emprendedores han presentado sus proyectos a proveedores de capital y clientes empresariales
74 empresas han recibido más de $46,321,000 en capital no dilutivo y contratos
“Estos resultados subrayan el poder de la colaboración y el apoyo específico para emprendedores desatendidos,” agregó Rodriguez. “Estamos emocionados de construir sobre este impulso y continuar expandiendo nuestro alcance e impacto.”
Jessica Bolaños, CEO de Goodspero, el socio encargado de contar la historia del Support Stack, añadió: “Es inspirador capturar el trabajo transformador de Impact Hub Houston y del Support Stack, destacando las trayectorias de los diversos emprendedores en el área metropolitana de Houston. Con alrededor del 20% de las pequeñas empresas en EE.UU. fallando en su primer año y un 50% para el quinto, los emprendedores de Houston enfrentan desafíos similares, incluyendo el acceso al capital y la competencia. Nuestro objetivo es mostrar la resiliencia, el apoyo y los recursos que impulsan su éxito.”
Para agosto de 2027, se proyecta que el Greater Houston Support Stack habrá ayudado a más de 8,000 emprendedores en el área metropolitana de Houston, el condado de Harris, el condado de Fort Bend y las comunidades rurales circundantes a desarrollar capacidades, redes y capital para que puedan crecer y acceder a la Iniciativa Estatal de Crédito para Pequeñas Empresas (SSBCI, por sus siglas en inglés) y otros programas federales y oportunidades de financiamiento que faciliten la expansión.
Únete al Support Stack
Los emprendedores, innovadores y grupos de interés del ecosistema empresarial pueden registrarse en https://celebrateourimpact.eventbrite.com para asistir a la celebración y al lanzamiento.
Los innovadores, emprendedores y propietarios de negocios elegibles están invitados a aplicar para recibir asistencia y participar en los programas del Support Stack en https://bit.ly/supportstackintakeform.
Las organizaciones de apoyo a emprendedores interesadas en unirse al Support Stack y recibir referencias, o aquellas que deseen obtener más información sobre el programa o Impact Hub Houston, por favor contacten a Grace Rodriguez en [email protected].
Sobre Impact Hub Houston, MBDA y HMSDC
Impact Hub Houston es una organización sin fines de lucro dedicada a inspirar, conectar y empoderar a diversos emprendedores y empresas de impacto. Como parte de una red global de más de 120 Impact Hubs en 68 países y seis continentes, Impact Hub Houston cataliza soluciones innovadoras, emprendimientos equitativos y el desarrollo de ecosistemas transformadores para un mundo más justo y sostenible.
La Agencia de Desarrollo de Negocios para Minorías (MBDA) promueve el crecimiento y la competitividad global de las Empresas Propiedad de Minorías (MBE, por sus siglas en inglés) con el fin de desbloquear el potencial económico completo del país. La MBDA fue establecida el 5 de marzo de 1969 por el Presidente Richard M. Nixon bajo el nombre de Oficina de Negocios para Minorías. El Programa de Preparación de Capital (CRP) de la MBDA está financiado por la Iniciativa Estatal de Crédito para Pequeñas Empresas (SSBCI) del Departamento del Tesoro y fue reautorizado bajo la Ley del Plan de Rescate Estadounidense de 2021. El CRP es un programa de asistencia técnica de $125 millones destinado a ayudar a los empresarios de minorías y otros empresarios desatendidos a hacer crecer y escalar sus negocios. El lanzamiento del Programa de Preparación de Capital marca un hito monumental para la MBDA, tras la promulgación de la Agencia como una Agencia Federal permanente en noviembre de 2021 como parte de la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura del Presidente Biden.
El Consejo de Desarrollo de Proveedores Minoritarios de Houston (HMSDC) forma parte de una red nacional de 23 consejos regionales que representan a más de 17,000 empresas de propiedad minoritaria y más de 900 corporaciones importantes, incluidas la mayoría de las empresas de Fortune 500. HMSDC involucra activamente a sus miembros en esfuerzos para aumentar y expandir las oportunidades comerciales y el crecimiento de las Empresas Propiedad de Minorías (MBE, por sus siglas en inglés) y promover la excelencia en la diversidad y desarrollo de proveedores. HMSDC ofrece a los emprendedores de minorías la oportunidad de conectarse con muchas de las instituciones públicas y empresas privadas más grandes de América. Más información
Contactos: Consultas en Español: María Burgos, Coordinadora de Programa de Impact Hub Houston [email protected]
Consultas en Inglés: Grace Rodriguez, CEO/Directora Ejecutiva de Impact Hub Houston [email protected]
Impact Hub Houston Announces 6th Anniversary Celebration and Public Launch of the Groundbreaking MBDA Capital Readiness Program “Greater Houston Support Stack” Consortium
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HOUSTON, TX – Impact Hub Houston, a leading organization dedicated to accelerating equitable entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems, is thrilled to invite all entrepreneurs and business ecosystem stakeholders to its 6th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, October 11, at its new home in the Esperson Building in Downtown Houston, for the public launch of the Greater Houston Support Stack, an initiative founded thanks to the support of the U.S. Department of Treasury and MBDA Capital Readiness Program (CRP) award. Impact Hub Houston was one of only two organizations in the state of Texas and 43 nationwide to win the award, which marked a milestone for MBDA following the agency’s enactment as a permanent Federal Agency through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. “The Capital Readiness Program marks the largest investment to support underserved entrepreneurs and businesses in Commerce Department history,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.
Grace Rodriguez, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Impact Hub Houston, stated, “We and our Support Stack partners — Houston Minority Supplier Development Council (HMSDC), Houston Area Urban League, Houston Business Development, Inc. (HBDI), United4Change Center, Goodspero, and The Pivot Partner — were thrilled to receive this award from the MBDA to launch the Greater Houston Support Stack, and we’re even more excited to publicly share its success and momentum for coordinated support for our region’s entrepreneurs. This initiative represents a paradigm shift in how we collaborate as a true ecosystem to help underserved entrepreneurs navigate our region’s resources and opportunities. Thanks to the MBDA grant and the dedication of our partners, the Support Stack is helping businesses build the capacity, contacts, contracts, and capital to thrive, making a significant impact on the lives, families, and communities of thousands of people in the Greater Houston area.”
“Our approach to minority business growth and development means working closely with our strategic partner organizations to leverage our collective resources to create a one-stop-shop for our small businesses. This ensures that diverse-owned companies have access to the abundant resources we provide and the services offered by our partners.”, said Ingrid Robinson, HMSDC President & CEO.
“Impact Hub Houston is a driving force in fostering innovation and entrepreneurial growth throughout our vibrant city. Its visionary leadership is creating new opportunities for all, and United4Change Center (U4C) is proud to collaborate with such a dynamic organization and the entire Support Stack network. Together, we are empowering Hispanic women entrepreneurs and expanding access to economic opportunities for Houston’s growing and diverse population. Our partnership is essential to advancing our shared mission of building resilience and prosperity in our community” said Ximena Murillo, CEO of United4Change Center.
Inspired by the concept of a “tech stack” upon which startups build their solutions, the Greater Houston Support Stack provides a strong foundation for entrepreneurs to grow their businesses. Its network of entrepreneur and business support organizations, incubators, accelerators, Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), minority-serving institutions (MSIs), and economic development groups leverage their unique expertise to provide a coordinated strategy, clear structure, and comprehensive suite of programs, services, and support, featuring:
Proactive knowledge and “best practice” sharing
Needs assessment
Stage-relevant programs and services
Timely referrals
Collective progress monitoring
With this approach, the Greater Houston Support Stack has demonstrated a significant impact in Year 1 of the MBDA Capital Readiness Program:
Over 3,000 individuals have connected and built their professional networks
406 entrepreneurs have graduated from acceleration and training programs
159 entrepreneurs have pitched to capital providers and enterprise customers
74 businesses have received over $46,321,000 in non-dilutive capital and contracts
“These results underscore the power of collaboration and targeted support for underserved entrepreneurs,” Rodriguez added. “We’re excited to build on this momentum and continue expanding our reach and impact.”
Jessica Bolaños, CEO at Goodspero, the Support Stack Storytelling Partner, adds: “It’s inspiring to capture the transformational work of Impact Hub Houston and the Support Stack, while highlighting the journeys of diverse entrepreneurs in Greater Houston. With around 20% of U.S. small businesses failing in the first year and 50% by the fifth, Houston entrepreneurs face similar challenges, including access to capital and competition. Our goal is to showcase the resilience, support, and resources driving their success.”
By August 2027, the Greater Houston Support Stack is projected to help over 8,000 entrepreneurs across Greater Houston, Harris County, Fort Bend County, and surrounding rural communities to build capacity, networks, and capital so they can grow and access the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) and other federal programs and funding opportunities that facilitate scaling.
Join the Support Stack
Entrepreneurs, innovators, and business ecosystem stakeholders may register at https://mpacthubhouston.eventbrite.com to attend the celebration, launch, and future events.
Eligible innovators, entrepreneurs, and business owners are invited to apply for Support Stack assistance and programs at https://bit.ly/supportstackintakeform.
Entrepreneur support organizations interested in joining the Support Stack and receiving referrals, or those seeking more information about the program or Impact Hub Houston, please contact Grace Rodriguez at [email protected].
About Impact Hub Houston, MBDA, and HMSDC
Impact Hub Houston is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring, connecting, and empowering diverse entrepreneurs and impact ventures. As part of a global network of over 120 Impact Hubs in 68 countries across six continents, Impact Hub Houston catalyzes innovative solutions, equitable entrepreneurship, and transformational ecosystem development for a more just and sustainable world.
The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) promotes the growth and global competitiveness of Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) in order to unlock the country’s full economic potential. The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) traces its origins back to March 5, 1969, when President Richard M. Nixon established it as the Office of Minority Business Enterprise. MBDA’s Capital Readiness Program (CRP) is funded by the Department of Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) and was reauthorized under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. CRP is a $125 million technical assistance program to help minority and other underserved entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses.The launch of the Capital Readiness Program marks a monumental milestone for MBDA, following the Agency’s enactment as a permanent Federal Agency in November 2021 as part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Houston Minority Supplier Development Council (HMSDC) is part of a national network of 23 regional councils representing over 17,000 minority-owned businesses and over 900 Major Corporations, including most Fortune 500 companies. HMSDC actively involves its members in efforts to increase and expand business opportunities and business growth for Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and to drive excellence in supplier diversity and supplier development. HMSDC provides minority entrepreneurs the chance to connect with many of America’s largest public institutions and private sector companies. Learn More
Contact: Grace Rodriguez, CEO/Executive Director of Impact Hub Houston
For the launch of our global Environmental Strategy, we spoke to Anne Merkle, Environmental Lead at Impact Hub Network.
Q: First things first, tell us, why do you do what you do?
A: Simply put, because I carry a deep love for our planet in me and want to know that I did everything possible for future generations to have the chance for a vibrant, peaceful and content life.
I CARRY A DEEP LOVE FOR OUR PLANET IN ME AND WANT TO KNOW THAT I DID EVERYTHING POSSIBLE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO HAVE THE CHANCE FOR A VIBRANT, PEACEFUL AND CONTENT LIFE.”
When I grew up on a small island in the Baltic Sea in Germany I had no idea about what harm was already taking place. The Club of Rome already pointed to the threat in 1972 but growth was more important and too little did people know and understand.
Now most of us do understand that there is a crisis – one that impacts us all. I just could not pretend and simply continue with the “good life” I envisioned for myself when I was building my sandcastles on the beach.
Anne Merkle, Environmental Lead at Impact Hub Network
I decided to listen to science, educate myself, change what I can in my own life and dedicate my work to tackling climate change and biodiversity loss in my unique way. The environmental emergency we all face can seem far away but just let this sink in: half of the island I grew up on will disappear with sea levels rising and this is just 80 years away. My home town will be almost completely gone. It might not happen in my lifetime but that doesn’t make it matter any less. I had two options: get paralysed or do what I could. You can guess what I chose – using my area of influence, my skills and taking it one step at a time.
Even if it is small steps – moving is what matters. If we all – governments and non-greenwashing corporates, but also start-ups and us as humans – do the same, let’s see what might be possible. I want to be a climate optimist!
Q: Incredible story, Anne. Thanks for sharing. You’re leading the launch of the Environmental Strategy of the Impact Hub Network. What is this all about? Who’s involved?
A: When the Impact Hub Network decided last year that environmental action as well as diversity, equity and inclusion will be our two key focus areas in our 2030 strategy, my heart jumped! The potential for all 100+ Impact Hubs to stand behind and put their energy on these two crucial and very interconnected topics… WOW. Don’t get me wrong, Impact Hub has already had so many great successes in social innovation and many environmental programs. Still, this strategy can take us to a whole new level – so much is possible.
The Impact Hub Network stands side by side with the local, regional and global communities that are aiming to tackle our climate emergency. As a network, we aim to contribute to building a regenerative economy while focusing specifically on actions in the areas of Net Zero (energy, mobility and construction), Food & Agriculture and Circularity.
AS A NETWORK, WE AIM TO CONTRIBUTE TO BUILDING A REGENERATIVE ECONOMY WHILE FOCUSING SPECIFICALLY ON ACTIONS IN THE AREAS OF NET ZERO, FOOD & AGRICULTURE AND CIRCULARITY.”
Of course, we acknowledge our limited climate expertise – but we want to use our unique innovation and start-up support knowledge, our influence and our locally rooted globally yet connected networks, to co-create with key partners. We can’t – and won’t – do this alone but we are ready for serious and large scale action. Doing this with three core values in mind: being grounded in science, daring and positive.
The strategy was co-created with Impact Hubs across the globe and we are now moving into implementation. I hope in a year from now we can say: everyone – every Impact Hub employee, every member, every partner – thinks about and acts on our environmental action strategy and it is fully integrated within our work. Making it a priority will offer all our members a great chance to grow in this area and receive targeted support while opening the doors for many new strategic partnerships.
Q: Sounds ambitious! Can you elaborate on some concrete actions we’re taking as a network?
A: We have three key areas of action for now. And being honest, we will learn (a lot!) together as a network and with our partners and adapt as we go. Nevertheless, this is our starting point:
First, to empower our membersto have either neutral or positive environmental impact. It doesn’t matter what SDG they work on. We want to support all our members to consider their environmental impact and act on it. Let’s not forget we are talking about 24.000 people and counting!
Second, to support green ventures to scale their impact faster, especially in our focus areas (net zero, Food & Agriculture and Circularity). We want to run more thematic local, regional and global programs; convene key stakeholders to co-create actions; and create more visibility for the existing solutions of our members.
Lastly, to role model through our spaces. For us, looks both at becoming a CO2 Neutral Coworking community by 2025 (and eventually net zero) but goes further by looking at all our operations and aims to fully integrate the topic in a locally fitting manner.
Anne Merkle at Col des Évettes / Glacier du Grand Méan, France
Q: Which two actions are you personally most excited about?
A: I would first choose our recent Circularity Program. In 2021, we started a prototype exploring how to integrate circular design principles into all our programs across 12 Impact Hubs in Africa and Europe. The idea is simple: equipping start-up founders with this knowledge early on to anticipate the environmental impact of their ventures and make different choices when it is still easy to make changes.
THE IDEA BEHIND OUR CIRCULARITY PROGRAM: TO EQUIP START-UP FOUNDERS WITH CIRCULARITY KNOWLEDGE EARLY ON TO ANTICIPATE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THEIR VENTURES AND MAKE CHANGES.”
After this pilot, the intention is to have all 100+ Impact Hubs incorporate this knowledge in all their programs. This is already pretty exciting as we run 240+ start-up support programs a year across the network.
We also want to make this knowledge and approach accessible to other social enterprise support organisations – so can you imagine everyone supporting start-ups includes education on circularity as a standard for their programs across the globe? Nice, right?!
The second? I will keep it brief. We already have a lot of excellent programs globally and within local Impact Hubs, such as the Ikea Supply Chain Innovation on food and packaging or the 35ish programs we run with WWF – one of our global strategic partners for almost 10 years tackling topics from deforestation in the Amazon, to innovative solutions to protect biodiversity in Austria, to sustainable energy in Rwanda to a recent program on plastics in China. I am super excited to identify the programs that work best, bring the concepts to more Impact Hubs and get back to the drawing board to come up with some completely new program ideas with partners.
And of course, there are many internal pieces we will need to figure out. One example is how do we measure, compensate and reduce our CO2 as a community operating in 60 countries, each facing different realities. We are excited to get started!
Q: Love the excitement! Now, let’s dream a little. What’s the potential impact we aim to make through these actions?
A: Today’s start-ups are tomorrow’s multinationals. When talking about environmental action it takes a lot of effort from governments (big time!) and of course, companies and citizens are just as important. Yet, start-ups and their contribution is often overlooked. That is the unique role that Impact Hub can play: getting the start-up world (starting with our network… but you asked me to dream!) to come to play and not on the side stage but joining the others on the main stage. It is not just the start-up solutions but also the entrepreneurial spirit and the innovative energy that we need so badly to tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis we face.
When we reach 2030, I hope we will look back and be proud of the change we co-created with our members and partners. We are ready – it won’t be perfect but we are hungry for change and want to contribute in our unique way as a network.
Q: Thank you, Anne, for this inspiring, action-filled, story.
How female founder Action Jackson impacts the face of business in Houston
Written by Impact Hub Houston Team member Camila Aguiar.
She was born Joy, but chose Action as her moniker. “After all, an idea without action is worth nothing,” she says. This intense need to turn ideas into action pushed her to open a media production company for small businesses back in 2018. It was also what brought her to Impact Hub Houston, where she found support to build a business model for her most audacious project: The Black Business Lab. Action was one of the 8 founders to participate in the Female Founders Program, an initiative of Impact Hub sponsored by Frost Bank. From May to July 2021, Action worked closely with Impact Hub’s CEO, Grace Rodriguez, and received support from additional experts to build the Black Business Lab Project business model. “The Lab” is a spinoff of the Black Marketing Initiative, which she created to help black owners thrive in business.
To understand how she got here, we must look back to 2020, when COVID hit and caught her by surprise. At that time, Action was celebrating one-and-a-half years as head of Action One Media. She wanted to change the narrative about Black business owners and started by helping small businesses communicate with clients and the community through media content, especially in video format. The company was online but got its client base from having 20-100 people come to their small studio every week and doing events outside. Action decided to close the company as soon as COVID hit. The following three months were hard. She had no clients, no revenue, and no clue where to go next. But she knew she had to do something, and she decided to start by listening.
In June 2020, Action and her team–the Action Squad–led a survey with 226 small business owners. Over a hundred of them answered they were about to close if they didn’t get online. Action soon realized the need and the urgency to do something about it. She used the data from the survey to pivot her business and offer a well-rounded marketing strategy for clients.
“In a nutshell, you can get video to show your face. You get the consulting to know where to put your video and help yourself get the clients you want. And we can also save you time by automating the process for you.”
She implemented an entirely new system to meet the unique needs of small businesses. Finally, things started getting better, but Action was still not happy. She knew from the surveys that most owners couldn’t afford the service. Action was struggling herself to put her company back in business after months without revenue.
“We realized we didn’t need just to sell the services. We could create a program and offer the services to the business through the program funded by grants, crowdfunding or anything we could pull together to help Black owners.”
Impact Hub was crucial in implementing the first pilot she did with 16 Black owners. Grace Rodriguez even participated in some of the sessions and helped shape the business training. But Action wants to go further. Her next goal is to build a Black innovation corridor in South Houston. She compares it to other Houston initiatives, such as the Energy Corridor and The Museum District. She already gathered more than 20 businesses, and they are working together to create a safe space to help Black owners get the support, the funds and the collaboration they need to thrive.
Action’s pitch sounds firm and convincing. She says this was one of the best aspects of the Female Founders Program. The constant practice and interaction helped her strengthen her case for support. Frost Bank’s advisors also helped her build some new financing strategies, especially regarding balancing her statements.
“They gave their hearts to make sure we learned. These are things sometimes we ignore as founders. I got some strategies behind changing our financial year.”
The three intense months of coaching sessions and hard work also helped her build new perspectives on her business. “We got counsel from them to build up the part we were missing. If you are a service business like us, you think you don’t need a supply chain, for example. Until you answer those questions in the assessment that they gave us. That in itself opened my eyes the most. It gave me a different perspective. And you need all the perspective you can get.”
Since we are talking about Action, we shouldn’t be surprised by how fast she is putting everything she learned in the service of her community! She is working with partners to expand the Black Marketing Initiative into the Black Business Lab. They applied for grants and are developing an asset map for the Black Innovation Corridor. The project has the support of some of her largest clients, including NANCo Aero–an aerospace company creating a “flying car”; South Union CDC–a STEM Foundation for youth and seniors with a solar co-op; and The Fish Bowl Experience–a pitch competition that gives away up to $50,000 in funding to small businesses owned by college students, veterans, and entrepreneurs with serious hustle.
“The ability to be who we are, take action on the things that matter, and impact is a blessing. We can build business models that can be used by the world to improve the world while making money. The sky is no longer the limit.”
McMac Cx creating safe and healthy environments, one building at a time
Written by Impact Hub Houston Team member Nabiha Khetani.
Founder and President of McMac Cx, a company devoted to safer and healthier buildings and environments, David MacLean shares his story behind the meaning of his mission and how Impact Hub Houston is helping to achieve his goals. McMac Cx aims to achieve SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. While SDG 11 is their primary goal, the company addresses needs that also target SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
David joined the Accelerate Membership Program to increase his knowledge on branding and marketing to further advance his goals for his company. His biggest challenge, he shares, is getting people to understand why they should care. Why is it important to create buildings which are above minimum code requirements?
It begins with addressing the unrealistic expectations of inhabitants and what creators can deliver with the institutional barriers getting in the way. That is where McMac Cx comes in. To minimize the sacrifices on the health and safety of citizens and maximize on impact, MacLean and his company look at first, costs of buildings while also evaluating what the social and environmental impact would be. They work with partners around the globe and use advanced social tech to have immediate implementation of sustainable improvements for a safer environment. David works diligently to change the reality of the current operation of buildings and create a standard that is above minimum code.
“The pivoting and changing conversation is all about education, and people understanding the order of magnitude of the problem.” David says.
As one of his current initiatives, David created the USGBC Texas Best Practices App as an educational tool and a way for members to connect with nonprofits and other organizations achieving similar altruistic passions. He is also the founding Board Member of the Texas Chapter of the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and created the Best Practices Committee as a platform of connection between the creators and inhabitants to work together.
“At the end of the day, it’s not about me doing something that anybody else can do” David says “it’s actually me helping somebody else over that lift so they can be more successful, because it’s about impact that we want to make, right.”
Part of the reason David was drawn to Impact Hub was because of the global Sustainable Development Goals they use as a guide and a lens for their work. Out of the 17 SDGs passed by the United Nations in 2015, IHH primarily focuses on six. David says the SDGs create a global language to articulate what is important and what more can be done. Although he strongly resonates with three or so of the goals, the Accelerate Program keeps him engaged in how the rest of the world is acting across the 14 other SDGs.
Looking ahead, David wants to keep growing his company nationally and globally. His current services are largely focused locally in Texas, but are all transferable to any other place in the world. He recently launched a global video competition to reach advocates across the world to become ‘Air Champions’ in their neighborhood. The video content focuses on why they think air quality is important. Although having McMac Cx recognized is a priority since it is a for-profit company, David prioritizes sending a certain message to his community which he is eagerly passionate about.
McMac Cx works with partners from around the globe to aggregate advanced Social Tech, allowing the immediate implementation of sustainable improvements that create positive social and environmental change. Its goal is to economically enable everyone to live, learn, work, and play in places that are safe, healthy, efficient, and prosperous. Learn more about McMac Cx and connect with David.
Our team at Impact Hub Houston is here to help you take your venture to the next level. Learn how with an Accelerate Membership.
How a female founder is impacting education quality by targeting self-esteem through technology
Written by Impact Hub Houston Team member Camila Aguiar.
When you talk to Margo Jordan it is hard to imagine that she once suffered from low self-esteem. Yet, this confident and persuasive entrepreneur says she struggled when she was a little girl back in Milwaukee, WI, where she grew up. Today, she is a successful and passionate founder who turned her own struggle into an educational company that helps students overcome low self-esteem and depression. Her entrepreneurship journey started in 2013, after 10 years in the Army and a brief experience in the finance sector. She was only 26 years old when she opened her first company, a facility in Northeast Houston to offer enrichment programs for children, including day camps and workshops.
Thanks to a combination of creativity and strong knowledge in finance, Margo was able to develop her leadership skills and grow her business. But like many founders, she had to deal with unpredictable events that tested her resiliency and leadership skills. The first big challenge came in 2017 when Hurricane Harvey destroyed her facility in Northeast Houston. Nevertheless, Margo didn’t give up and was able to raise funds to continue serving families in Houston.
Two years later, another major disruption menaced her business. COVID forced her to stop the in-person programs, but also offered an opportunity to make a greater impact and help students cope with a new reality marked by isolation and uncertainty. She pivoted and focused all her efforts on her e-learning platform, Enrichly.
Currently, Enrichly has 500 subscribers and impacts more than 10,000 students from different grade levels and backgrounds. The platform offers self-esteem-based learning workshops and curriculum, live content with teens and influencers, and mental health resources. The goal is to help members build their confidence, recognize their capabilities, and put limitations in perspective. According to Margo, having high self-esteem helps prevent depression, anxiety disorders, and even suicide. It affects all aspects of life including academic performance.
When parents and schools from countries worldwide started coming back to her for help, she realized she was dealing with a global issue and started expanding her business outside the US. Her platform currently reaches members from 12 countries, mainly parents and educators trying to help students overcome depression and low self-esteem. Margo is also negotiating with corporations and schools in countries such as Brazil and the United Arab Emirates. Her most recent contract was with the Arabian American School, which will bring a self-esteem learning program to their campus middle school students in Dubai.
The power of connections
As a visionary entrepreneur, Margo thinks it is important to take risks and learn from mistakes. She recognizes the value of connections and resources for her business. In 2021, Margo was selected to participate in a three-month support program offered by Impact HUB Houston in partnership with Frost Bank. Since May, she and seven additional Founder women had weekly meetings with advisors and mentors to refine their business model. The program has also helped them gain a deeper understanding of business and financial management, while working on their pitching and funding model.
“The amount of resources we received are invaluable. Being able to connect with Grace and Michelle has allowed me to put some of the pieces I’ve been missing together. Grace and I worked on my diagnostic and defined a lot of what my company does and gave me a more concrete plan moving forward. This was very instrumental in making sure I’m capturing my impact more efficiently,” says Margo.
Margo’s next steps include launching the Enrichly app and growing her membership program. She is also working on a side project to help students develop leadership skills and an entrepreneurial mindset. She admits it was particularly difficult to build her reputation and raise money being a Black woman, and she wants to inspire others to believe in themselves and fight for their dreams. Considering her personal story, and the passionate way she talks about her mission, Margo is certainly a great inspiration.
Visit Youth Enrichments to learn more about Margo’s mission! Connect with them on social media and stay up-to-date with their journey: Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
Impact Hub Houston is here to help you take your venture to the next level. Learn how with an Accelerate Membership.
Now that COVID-19 and climate change have profoundly disrupted society and our economies, how might we innovate investment in impact and build more just, equitable, and resilient economies by 2030?
We are addressing this at the Impact Hub Houston’s “Investing2030: Redefining the Future of ROI” Summit on Thursday, May 20th, from 12:00pm CT to 5:00pm CT!
Investing2030 aims to provide a window into this future, where a surge in entrepreneurs developing “glocal” (global+local) solutions to the world’s most pressing issues intersects with the next generation of funders implementing triple-bottom-line investing with an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) lens.
From climate change to economic, gender, and racial inequalities to crises in health, education, and more — areas targeted by the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — we know that it will require more inclusion, more ideas, more innovation, and more investment to effectively address all of these issues and get our planet on a positive track by 2030.
You will walk away from Investing2030 with a better understanding of:
Diverse types of impact ventures and social entrepreneurs
What fundraising looks like in different regions, industries and verticals
How to raise funding at various stages of growth
What entrepreneurs’ *real* challenges have been for fundraising in Houston
…And more!
Investing2030 is happening during Houston Tech Rodeo May 18-24 and is open to all: entrepreneurs, startup founders, students, and community members who are interested in learning more about transforming “Return On Investment” into “Return On Impact.” And it’s FREE and virtual, so all can attend! Registration is still open — Join us to learn from and connect with people at the forefront of our Impact + Investment ecosystem!
Workforce Solutions selects MassChallenge and Impact Hub Houston to operate a startup bootcamp designed for female founders.
(Houston, TX) April 1, 2021 – MassChallenge, the global network for innovators, Workforce Solutions, the public workforce system for Houston and the surrounding 13 counties in Southeast Texas, and Impact Hub Houston, a locally rooted and globally connected impact innovation incubator, today announced a new partnership to launch a bootcamp to support female founders in the greater Houston region.
Together, Workforce Solutions, MassChallenge, and Impact Hub Houston will identify and support female founders looking to start a new high-growth or high-impact startup and support them through the earliest stages of building a business.
“There is unprecedented growth in startup creation as a result of the pandemic and founders from all corners of the world are connecting in this virtual environment to build and scale amazing ideas,” said Jon Nordby, Managing Director of MassChallenge Texas. “With these new collaborations, we are also witnessing a massive gap in access to startup development resources. Our partnership with Workforce Solutions and Impact Hub Houston will help female founders build on their existing knowledge to become life-long innovators. MassChallenge is thrilled to partner with Workforce Solutions to equip bold entrepreneurs, disrupt the status quo, and create meaningful change.”
Grace Rodriguez, CEO/Executive Director of Impact Hub Houston, adds: “As a female founder myself, I’m incredibly excited about this opportunity to support and uplift more women entrepreneurs and women-led businesses in our region. By now, it’s no secret that women, and especially women of color, are under-invested in; and this is our chance to change that by helping more women strengthen their businesses and prepare to seek funding. It makes perfect sense that we’re starting in Houston — one of the most diverse cities in the country and consistently ranked one of the Top Ten cities for women entrepreneurs — and that we’re launching this with our partners at MassChallenge Texas and Workforce Solutions, both of whom have been strong allies in our collaborative mission to empower diverse entrepreneurs and talent.”
“Workforce Solutions is excited to partner with MassChallenge and Impact Hub Houston to bring to life a new bootcamp designed for mission-driven women focused on creating, sustaining, or expanding a business,” said Mike Temple, executive director of Workforce Solutions. “We recognize that small businesses and startups are vital to the continued growth of the local economy. Our goal is to drive a community that will support female leaders in support of entrepreneurial activities that create income and new job opportunities across the greater Houston area.”
The female founder bootcamp leverages MassChallenge’s proven acceleration model and Impact Hub Houston’s inclusive incubation expertise to identify, accelerate, and connect female founders with the resources they need to launch and scale high-impact businesses. The bootcamp is industry agnostic and applications are open to all female founders in the Houston-Galveston region, offering them access to the global MassChallenge and Impact Hub curriculum, workshops, and networks of expert mentors and resources.
Applications to the bootcamp are live April 1 – April 7 and applicants will need to meet the Workforce Solutions eligibility criteria in order to participate.
Applicants can apply by:
Submitting the pre-screening application by the deadline of 5PM CT on April 7 2021.
If a pre-screening application is approved, a Workforce Solutions staff person will reach out to the applicant to schedule a meeting; a response is needed within 2 business days.
At the conclusion of the assessment the applicant will be asked to complete the Workforce Solutions Financial Aid Application and upload supporting documents; this process must be completed by April 19, 2021.
Twenty-five applicants will be selected to participate in the Women’s Entrepreneur Bootcamp on April 29th and 30th. Content will be available in both English and Spanish.
Workforce Solutions is dedicated to keeping the Gulf Coast region a great place to do business, work, and live. Our employer-driven, people-focused approach elevates the economic and human potential of the region to attract and retain the best employers, afford everyone the dignity of a job, and remain indispensable to the global economy. As the public workforce system for Houston and the surrounding 13 counties in Southeast Texas, we work in tandem with the Texas Workforce Commission and the statewide Workforce Solutions network.
About MassChallenge
MassChallenge is the global network for innovators. Headquartered in the United States with seven locations worldwide, MassChallenge equips bold entrepreneurs to disrupt the status quo and to create meaningful change. Since launching in 2009, more than 2,900 MassChallenge alumni have raised $8.6B in funding, generated $3.6B in revenue, and created more than 186,000 total jobs. Learn more about MassChallenge at masschallenge.org.
About Impact Hub Houston
About Impact Hub Houston (houston.impacthub.net): Impact Hub Houston is a locally rooted, globally connected, 501c3 nonprofit impact innovation incubator that empowers diverse changemakers to solve some of society’s most pressing issues. A member of the Impact Hub global network — the world’s largest community recognized by the United Nations for accelerating entrepreneurial solutions towards measurable and scalable impact for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — Impact Hub Houston intentionally designs places, platforms, and programs to build an inclusive innovation ecosystem that looks like Houston and works for all.
About Impact Hub
About Impact Hub (https://impacthub.net): Impact Hub is a global network focused on building entrepreneurial communities for impact at scale. With 100+ communities of 16,500 social entrepreneurs & innovators in more than 55 countries across five continents, Impact Hub is one of the world’s largest communities and accelerators for positive change. It contributes to the development of social enterprise ecosystems to drive collaboration and innovation around the Sustainable Development Goals through locally rooted Impact Hubs, as well as with partners and allied networks.
FROST BANK SPONSORS FIRST ACCELERATE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FEMALE FOUNDERS AT IMPACT HUB HOUSTON
2021 March 18 – Houston, TX – Impact Hub Houston, a nonprofit impact innovation incubator dedicated to helping diverse changemakers and social entrepreneurs launch impact-driven ventures, announces a new partnership with Frost Bank to sponsor eight female founders to participate in their new Accelerate Membership Program.
The first Impact Hub in the United States to provide the global Accelerate Membership program, Impact Hub Houston will work with Frost Bank to select eight women entrepreneurs from applicants across the Greater Houston area to receive the program for three months at no cost to them, ensuring that critical business and financial support goes to diverse entrepreneurs that need it most.
From Solution Diagnostics to Business Model Validation to Funding Readiness, this inaugural cohort will offer women entrepreneurs at any stage of their development journey a step-by-step methodology to rapidly and systematically refine their business model among peers, and gain a deeper understanding of business and financial management while getting their venture ready for pitching to stakeholders and potential funders.
Impact Hub Houston CEO/Executive Director, Grace Rodriguez, shares: “We are passionate about Gender Equality (SDG 5), Reducing Inequalities (SDG 10), and Economic Growth (SDG 8); and want to help women build strong startups that secure the capital they need to succeed and scale. We designed our Accelerate Programs to offer diverse entrepreneurs continuous education, community, and support to develop their ventures, graduate into renowned accelerator programs from our partners like MassChallenge and Greentown Labs, and then return to us to expand into the many markets around the world where Impact Hubs have a presence. We’re so excited that Frost Bank shares this passion for creating impact through supporting diverse entrepreneurs and local businesses; and we look forward to working with them to empower more women onto paths of financial resilience and generational wealth.”
Trisha Bradley, Vice President and Community Development Officer at Frost Bank, states: “Giving back to our communities has been part of the Frost culture since our company was founded more than 150 years ago, and we’re proud to support local women-owned small businesses through our partnership with Impact Hub Houston.”
“At Impact Hub we believe the time to act is now. It’s why we are excited to launch our new Accelerate Membership”, says Maria Trindade, Global Network Development Director at Impact Hub Global. “Its unique approach combines all the benefits of an enterprise support program with the flexibility that entrepreneurs need; plus its tailored nature makes this intervention highly accessible for entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds who may not be able to dedicate full-time to their business idea.”
To apply for the Frost Bank Female Founder Scholarship, please click here or scroll down to the form below.
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About Frost (frostbank.com): Frost is the banking, investments and insurance subsidiary of Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (NYSE: CFR), a financial holding company with $42.4 billion in assets at Dec. 31, 2020. One of the 50 largest U.S. banks by asset size, Frost provides a full range of banking, investments and insurance services to businesses and individuals in the Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Permian Basin, Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio regions. Founded in 1868, Frost has helped Texans with their financial needs for three centuries.
About Impact Hub Houston (houston.impacthub.net): Impact Hub Houston is a locally rooted, globally connected, 501c3 nonprofit impact innovation incubator that empowers diverse changemakers to solve some of society’s most pressing issues. A member of the Impact Hub global network — the world’s largest community recognized by the United Nations for accelerating entrepreneurial solutions towards measurable and scalable impact for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — Impact Hub Houston intentionally designs places, platforms, and programs to build an inclusive innovation ecosystem that looks like Houston and works for all.
About Impact Hub (https://impacthub.net): Impact Hub is a global network focused on building entrepreneurial communities for impact at scale. With 100+ communities of 16,500 social entrepreneurs & innovators in more than 55 countries across five continents, Impact Hub is one of the world’s largest communities and accelerators for positive change. It contributes to the development of social enterprise ecosystems to drive collaboration and innovation around the Sustainable Development Goals through locally rooted Impact Hubs, as well as with partners and allied networks.
APPLICATIONS FOR THE FROST BANK SCHOLARSHIP ARE NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST!