Houston, TX, January 14, 2026
The Greater Houston Partnership’s Business Accelerator program is significantly enhancing local business growth by bridging connections between small businesses and major corporations. This initiative empowers entrepreneurs, fosters economic stability, and emphasizes targeted private sector collaboration, ultimately promoting inclusive growth in Houston’s dynamic business environment. The program’s strategic approach showcases how supporting small businesses can unlock new opportunities and enhance the region’s economy.
Houston, TX
Houston Accelerator Drives Local Business Growth
The Greater Houston Partnership’s Business Accelerator program is making significant strides in fostering an environment where local small businesses can thrive, connecting them with major corporations and unlocking new economic opportunities across the region. This initiative highlights the power of targeted private sector collaboration in strengthening Houston’s dynamic business landscape and promoting inclusive growth.
For many local entrepreneurs, the path to engaging with larger corporations can present substantial hurdles, despite possessing strong capabilities and proven track records. The Houston Business Accelerator, spearheaded by the Greater Houston Partnership, directly addresses these barriers, showcasing how strategic connections and focused initiatives can empower small businesses and contribute to the region’s overall economic vitality. This approach underscores a commitment to fostering an ecosystem where resilience and personal achievement are celebrated and supported through proactive engagement rather than extensive regulatory frameworks. Houston continues to attract global companies, driving job creation and capital investment across the region.
Fostering Connections for Small Businesses
The Houston Business Accelerator is designed to bridge the gap between small businesses and large company supply chains. It focuses on facilitating connections, introducing procurement leaders to suppliers that are already prepared to perform at scale. This model prioritizes efficiency and demonstrated capability, enabling innovative small businesses to secure contracts that might otherwise be out of reach. In the program’s second pilot, which ran from August through December 2025 as a 15-week sprint, participating businesses gained concentrated exposure to key decision-makers, spotlighting ready-now suppliers and aligning their solutions with immediate corporate needs in high-priority purchasing categories.
Six leading organizations actively participated in the second pilot: Amazon, Baker Hughes, Chevron, Dow, Harris Health, and Shell. These corporate partners identified specific buying categories, with a particular emphasis on Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO), ensuring that the selected small businesses could demonstrate solutions directly relevant to corporate demand. This synergy creates value for both suppliers and large corporations, exemplifying how private sector collaboration can streamline procurement practices and bolster the local economy.
The One Houston Together Initiative and MBE Accelerator
A crucial component of the Greater Houston Partnership’s strategy for inclusive growth is the One Houston Together initiative. This program galvanizes the business community to transform the region into a more inclusive place to live, work, and build a business. Through One Houston Together, the Partnership offers members data-driven insights, industry benchmarks, and best practices to drive change, particularly in creating pathways for talent advancement and leveraging buying power.
Under the umbrella of One Houston Together, the Greater Houston Partnership launched the Houston Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Accelerator. This 16-week pilot program is specifically designed to harness the collective purchasing power of the region’s business community to increase spending with MBEs. The MBE Accelerator has demonstrated initial success by facilitating 32 matches for participating MBEs with seven major corporations, leading to four contracts valued at $1.4 million and seven Request for Information (RFI) opportunities with a spend target of $4.1 million. This focused approach helps corporate decision-makers identify potential opportunities with MBEs that might not have been possible without the program. Nine MBEs participated in the pilot program: Cole Chemical, Collaborate, Competitive Choice, MCA Communications, Prime Elevator Corp., Sterling Staffing Solutions, Twice Media Productions, Vecor Pipeline Integrity, and Vizion Crane & Industrial Support. The program differentiates itself by focusing on introducing business-ready MBEs that have a proven track record and are already doing business with a Partnership member company.
Houston’s Economic Momentum and Strategic Vision
Houston’s economic landscape continues to be dynamic and robust. The city earned titles such as the No. 1 Best Place for Foreign Business, the No. 9 Best City in America, and the No. 22 Best City to Start a Small Business in 2023. The Greater Houston Partnership reported 161 new business announcements in the third quarter of 2023, with 120 companies expanding operations and 41 establishing new ones in the Houston area. The Partnership also supported over 200 projects, including 31 businesses relocating or expanding to the Houston area in 2023. Major project wins include the relocation of e-commerce unicorn Cart.com’s corporate headquarters to Houston, a $1 million capital investment project expected to create 50 new jobs. Additionally, John Cockerill Hydrogen established its U.S. entry with a new gigafactory in Baytown, creating 200 new jobs and a capital investment of $145 million. Waaree, India’s largest solar panel manufacturing company, is establishing its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Brookshire, anticipating 450 new jobs and a $150 million capital investment.
The Partnership’s new five-year strategic framework, “Houston Next: Advancing Opportunity,” builds upon past successes and focuses on three core pillars: Prosperity, People, and Place. These pillars, along with strategic imperatives like Talent & Economic Mobility and Resilience, aim to solidify Houston’s position as a world-class hub for economic growth, innovation, and quality of life. The strategy emphasizes a strong, diverse economy, inclusive opportunity through education and workforce training, and a resilient, vibrant region.
Supporting Innovation and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
Houston’s innovation ecosystem provides significant resources for startups across diverse industries, with over 80 startup development organizations, including incubators and accelerators. The city’s business-friendly policies, low taxes, and competitive incentives are key factors in its appeal to entrepreneurs. Access to global markets, a skilled workforce, world-class universities, and diverse funding sources further contribute to a fertile ground for innovation and collaboration. The Houston Technology Center Startup Accelerator, for instance, supports over 1,000 new companies annually through funding, mentorship, and industry connections, with its portfolio firms securing $3.5 billion in funding. The Houston Small Business Development Center also offers personalized consulting and workshops to aid entrepreneurial success. The City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) offers benefits for certified businesses, including eligibility for goal-oriented contracts and networking opportunities. As of September 26, 2025, the City of Houston temporarily paused the acceptance of new applications for Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women Business Enterprise (WBE), and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) certifications to undertake system upgrades and policy updates, with the pause in effect until December 1, 2025. The OBO remains committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable business environment.
Conclusion
The Greater Houston Partnership’s initiatives, particularly the Houston Business Accelerator and the One Houston Together program, are vital engines for economic growth and inclusive opportunity in our region. By facilitating crucial connections, promoting entrepreneurial innovation, and leveraging private investment, these programs empower small businesses to overcome barriers and contribute more fully to Houston’s thriving economy. The city’s ongoing success in attracting significant investments and maintaining a business-friendly environment demonstrates the positive impact of strategic leadership and community involvement. Houston’s resilience and dynamic spirit continue to drive progress, solidifying its standing as a premier destination for business and opportunity.
We encourage all Houstonians to support local businesses and stay engaged in the exciting economic future unfolding across our vibrant city. By championing local entrepreneurs and understanding the power of a connected business community, we can collectively ensure sustained growth and prosperity for all.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the Houston Business Accelerator?
- The Houston Business Accelerator is a program by the Greater Houston Partnership designed to help small businesses overcome barriers when competing to enter the supply chains of large companies.
- What is the goal of the Houston Business Accelerator?
- The Accelerator’s goal is to connect small businesses with major corporations by introducing procurement leaders to suppliers that are already ready to perform at scale, rather than focusing on traditional capacity-building.
- What is the One Houston Together initiative?
- One Houston Together is an initiative by the Greater Houston Partnership that galvanizes the business community to transform the Houston region into a more inclusive place to live, work, and build a business.
- What is the Houston Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Accelerator?
- The Houston MBE Accelerator is a 16-week pilot program launched under One Houston Together, aimed at increasing spending with minority business enterprises by connecting them with major corporations.
- What were some key outcomes of the MBE Accelerator pilot?
- The MBE Accelerator pilot facilitated 32 matches for participating MBEs with seven major corporations, resulting in four contracts valued at $1.4 million and seven Request for Information (RFI) opportunities with a spend target of $4.1 million.
- What are Houston’s recent economic achievements?
- In 2023, Houston was recognized as the No. 1 Best Place for Foreign Business, the No. 9 Best City in America, and the No. 22 Best City to Start a Small Business.
- What is the “Houston Next: Advancing Opportunity” strategic framework?
- This is the Greater Houston Partnership’s new five-year strategic framework, focusing on three core pillars—Prosperity, People, and Place—to position Houston as a world-class hub for economic growth, innovation, and quality of life.
- What is the status of City of Houston MBE/WBE/SBE certifications?
- As of September 26, 2025, the City of Houston temporarily paused the acceptance of new applications for its Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women Business Enterprise (WBE), and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) certifications until December 1, 2025, to undertake system upgrades and policy updates.
Key Features of the Houston Business Accelerator Program
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Program Focus | Connects small businesses directly with procurement leaders of major corporations. | Regional |
| Approach | Focuses on connection and highlighting ready-now suppliers, rather than traditional capacity-building. | Regional |
| Duration of Pilot 2 | 15-week sprint (August through December 2025). | Regional |
| Participating Corporations (Pilot 2) | Amazon, Baker Hughes, Chevron, Dow, Harris Health, Shell. | Regional |
| Targeted Purchasing Categories | High-priority areas, with a specific focus on Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO). | Regional |
| Related Initiative | Operates under the Greater Houston Partnership’s “One Houston Together” initiative. | Regional |
| MBE Accelerator Outcomes (Pilot) | 32 matches, 4 contracts valued at $1.4 million, 7 RFIs with $4.1 million spend target. | Regional |
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Author: STAFF HERE HOUSTON TX WRITER
The HOUSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHouston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Houston, Harris County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Art Car Parade, and Chevron Houston Marathon. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Houston Partnership and Houston Area Urban League, plus leading businesses in energy and healthcare that power the local economy such as ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, and Houston Methodist. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
