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Office of Business Opportunity
Liftoff Houston press release
Mayor Turner Launches 10th Annual LiftHouston Startup Business Plan Competition
July 27, 2022 — Applications are now open for the Liftoff Houston Startup Business Plan Competition, with three winners each receiving $10,000 in seed money to support their entrepreneurial dreams. Applications must be received by 2pm on Friday August 19th.
The contest, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, is sponsored by Capital One Bank, the Houston Public Library (HPL) and the Office of Business Opportunities (OBO). Since its inception, Capital One has invested more than $280,000 in startup funding across three categories – innovation, product and service.
“For 10 years, Liftoff Houston has enabled participants to access financial activity through entrepreneurship,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “They have been key drivers of Houston’s economic success, and have contributed to our community by creating jobs and providing much-needed goods and services.”
To be eligible for the contest, applicants must reside and operate their business within the Houston city limits. The business must be for-profit, in operation for less than one year, and have a proven revenue of no more than $10,000. Those who are not eligible to compete can participate in the Education Pathway, which provides access to all educational and mentoring components of the program.
After being accepted to Liftoff Houston, participants will attend workshops over a 4-month period covering essential business topics including business planning, marketing, finance and pitching. Participants will receive additional support from SCORE Houston and Capital One Bank with professional mentors to further refine their business plans to advance to the final round of the competition.
The event runs until November 5, with three businesses in each competition category selected to present their business plans to a panel of judges. All who meet the requirements of the educational path will receive a certificate of completion.
Mayor Sylvester Turner, joined by HPL Deputy Director Nicole Robinson, Capital One Bank Market President Yasmin Huibinger and OBO Director Marsha Murray, recognized Liftoff Houston Alumni who have grown their businesses beyond the startup stage: 2019 Service Category Winner Sherhara Downing of SpeakHaus and Business Partner Krista Clark , 2016 Service Category Winner Jennifer Tai of Awesome Bites Company, and 2018 Innovation Category Winner Alfonso Roundtree of Social BV.
“This year’s milestone competition marks another year of exciting opportunities for Houstonians ready to move their business plans forward,” said Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson, director of the Houston Public Library. Free library services and business and investment reference resources, state-of-the-art technology and high-speed Wi-Fi.”
Since its inception, more than 15,000 individuals have participated in Liftoff Houston. Among the finalists in the competition, 27 winners have started businesses in retail, merchandising, labor, consulting, software, hardware, marketing businesses, hospitality, tourism, health and fitness, education, finance, technology and logistics.
The data gathered from the 2021 race will help LiftHouston make an impact on historically marginalized populations. Of all participants, 96% identified as people of color, 70% were women, 56% did not have a college degree, and 41% made less than $30,000.
Also in 2021, all winners were women.
- Alina Kravchenko of TonerBum (Innovation), a patented glute and leg-toning dumbbell ergonomically designed to fit the back of the leg;
- Krystle Hodge of SafetyKay, LLC (Product), which includes safety kits and videos that teach children critical safety skills; And
- Clara Orlean of ClaraTech (Service), in-person technology training that helps seniors through technology consulting and workshops.
“As we celebrate a decade of Liftoff Houston, we look forward to making an even greater impact for Houston’s aspiring entrepreneurs,” said OBO Director Marsha Murray. “This competition gives you a clear road map to help you achieve your goals for success as a small business owner.”
To apply for Liftoff Houston, go to www.liftoffhouston.com. Also follow @liftoffhouston on Facebook and Instagram.
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