Harris County DEEO invites entrepreneurs and small business owners to take advantage of our upcoming business education and procurement readiness courses designed to strengthen business knowledge, build capacity, and prepare businesses to pursue contracting opportunities. Upcoming sessions include: Financial Foundations for Small Business Success Thursday, November 19, 2026 | 2:00 PM How to do Business with Harris County Tuesday, December 8, 2026 | 10:00 AM A Legal Blueprint to Build, Protect, and Pass on What You've Built

Join ACE NextGen and Jisselle Baldwin-Todd, Founder & Managing Director of Virtual Work World and Fractional Global HR Business Partner, for a practical workshop on finding the right global talent and building a stronger foundation for your team. Whether you're considering a Virtual Assistant, a domestic or international Contractor, or an Employee, this session will connect your hiring needs with the classification, due diligence, and compliance considerations that help protect your business. We'll cover: - Knowing when you're ready to hire: Assess your workload, budget, and ability to onboard and support someone. Identify what to delegate and what success should look like. - Understanding your hiring options: Explore domestic and international hiring, employee versus independent contractor status, and how the working relationship affects your responsibilities. - Finding and vetting the right talent: Build a thoughtful selection process using AI, clear role requirements, structured interviews, skills assessments, and appropriate reference and background checks. - Putting safeguards in place: Understand the agreements, tax and payment considerations, confidentiality, data security, and local requirements to review before someone starts. - Using AI to support better hiring: Explore practical ways to clarify a role, draft job descriptions, and prepare interview questions, with attention to accuracy, privacy, and human judgment. Designed for solopreneurs, business owners, and leaders growing an existing team, this workshop will help you approach your next hire with clearer expectations, better questions, and practical steps to reduce avoidable risk.

Presented by UT MD Anderson Cancer Center and B2G Victory designed exclusively to match subcontractors with UT MD Anderson's Prime Contractors. Attendees will have the opportunity to have 1-on-1 meetings with Prime Estimators & Project Managers. Educational Sessions & Networking Opportunities are also available.

Small business Owners! The Office of Business Opportunity has opened early registration for its annual Meet the Buyer Procurement Forum & Business Expo! This event brings together City of Houston Procurement Agents, Prime Contractors, and Subcontractors for a day of business dealings, networking, and learning how to grow your business.

Join us at the Banking on Your Business 2.0 Financial Symposium, presented by Houston OBO and Council Member Willie Davis! Here, you'll unlock capital, resources, and partnerships imperative to your business! What’s on the agenda? -Special Guest Mayor John Whitmire -Fireside Chat with Banking Leaders & Prime Contractors -Bonding & Quick Pay Programs for Subcontractors -Banking & Resource Booths Thursday, October 29, 2026 Check-In & Networking: 8:00 a.m. | Symposium: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Bayou City Event Center 9401 Knight Rd., Houston, TX 77045 Admission is FREE, and parking is complimentary!

For the Greater Houston Business Procurement Forum (GHBPF) Breakfast Meeting scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Please remember to arrive before 8:00 a.m. for Breakfast and early Networking. We will start promptly at 8:00 a.m. with the Program ending at 9:45 a.m. to resume Networking until 12:00 pm.

Save The Date! Join us at the Turnaround Houston Construction Job Fair to connect directly with local construction companies looking to hire! At our job fair, you’ll find: On-the-spot interviews & hiring, Second-chance employers, Education & Training Resources

Ready to take your business to the next level? Join the free Business Workshop held every third Monday of the month at the Southwest District Office in Houston. Whether you're in the pre-venture, startup, expansion, or growth stage, you'll receive individualized guidance, mentorship, and expert advice to help your business succeed. Attend from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at 6588 Corporate Dr. #168 and gain valuable insights to support every stage of your entrepreneurial journey.

The Office of Business Opportunity's Meet the Buyer Procurement Forum & Business Expo is now open for early registration! This event brings together City of Houston Procurement Agents, Prime Contractors, and Subcontractors for a day of business dealings, networking, and learning how to grow your business. If you're a small business owner, this is your opportunity to connect! It's also completely FREE to register!

NOMINATE A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER TODAY! For more than 60 years, the SBA has celebrated National Small Business Week, highlighting the vital contributions of America 's entrepreneurs and small business owners. JOIN AN UPCOMING WEBINAR TO LEARN MORE: Submitting a Winning Nomination for SBA National Small Business Week Awards Join this virtual session to learn about the SEA Houston District Office's nomination categories, eligibility, and tips for writing an award-winning nomination! DEADLINE: DECEMBER 7, 2:00 PM (CT)

Helping small business owners and tax professionals maintain better records, maximize deductions, and stay compliant. For those of you who have been asking about the IRS Small Business Tax Workshop Series, this workshop covers many of the same core topics in a live, instructor-led format with opportunities for participant questions and discussion. Whether you're a small business owner managing day-to-day operations or a tax professional advising clients, maintaining accurate records throughout the year makes tax filing easier, supports allowable deductions, and helps ensure compliance with federal tax requirements. This free, two-hour IRS workshop includes approximately 90 minutes of instruction followed by a 30-minute question-and-answer session, giving participants an opportunity to receive answers to their specific questions.

Hosted by HCC Central College Center for Entrepreneurship, S.O.A.R is an AI-powered entrepreneurship accelerator designed for early-stage entrepreneurs. This program uniquely blends cutting-edge AI technology with proven business strategies to drive accelerated growth. All industries are welcome.  The 10-week program offers entrepreneurs: AI-Powered Education: Master sales, marketing, and productivity using the latest AI tools for growth-oriented decision-making.  HCC-Issued Digital Badges: Showcase your applied skills to the world.  Industry-Recognized Certification Training: Expert trainers prepare you for an industry-recognized AI credential. Master class Speaker Series: Learn directly from industry titans and local legends. Personalized Mentorship: Get one-on-one guidance from experienced entrepreneurs. Professional Networking: Make meaningful business connections through curated workshops and events. Business Showcase: Celebrate your progress and pitch your business to HCC faculty, community partners, and investors. Program Highlights: Direct access to Houston’s vibrant business ecosystem. Walk away with a concrete game plan for scaling. Get introduced to funding resources and capital opportunities. Build lasting professional relationships with peers and mentors. Duration: 10 Weeks | Hybrid (Asynchronous & Synchronous sessions) For more information and to keep up to date with program dates,

Developed by the Glenda & David Regenbaum Center for Entrepreneurship - HCC Northwest, the HCC Small Business Success Series is a 5-module program that offers an opportunity for hands-on learning and interaction with faculty, guest entrepreneurs, business experts, and peer delegates. This series is developed for proposed, startup and existing entrepreneurs who are actively pursuing launch and growth of a specific business concept. Join us every Tuesday & Thursday! 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Program Session Dates & Topics Oct. 20 & 22 — Vet the Venture - Are My Ideas Lucrative? Oct. 27 & 29 — Ignite the Entrepreneur in You! Nov. 3 & 5 — Financials for Small Business Nov. 10 & 12 — Managing Risk Nov.17 & 19 — Sales & Marketing Powered Up

Lending institutions that lend in the Houston District will be on hand to meet with existing and start-up business owners to discuss funding for small businesses. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet multiple lenders in scheduled, one-on-one 15-minute sessions. Also, meet SBA Houston District Office representatives and engage with SBA's Resource Partner network who provide free one-on-one business advising. NOTE: Attendees should know their personal credit score, estimated amount looking to borrow, industry, and have started their business plan. Eligibility Reminder: SBA financing is available to for-profit small businesses. Ineligible businesses generally include nonprofits, speculative real estate ventures, passive investment businesses, and financial or gambling-related enterprises. HCC Alief Hayes Campus 2811 Hayes Road- Main Building, 3rd Floor (Suite A321), Houston, TX 77082 Wednesday, October 21, 8:30am - 12:30pm CT

Pancakes with Primes: The Matchmaking Event for Subcontractors designed exclusively to match subcontractors with UT MD Anderson's Prime Contractors. Attendees will have the opportunity to have I-on-I meetings with Prime Estimators & Project Managers. Educational Sessions & Networking Opportunities are also available. Tuesday, November 10, 8:00am- 12:00pm CT

Ready to Start or Advance Your Career in Construction? Join us at the Turnaround Houston Construction Job Fair to connect directly with local construction companies looking to hire! At our job fair, you'll find: On-the-spot interviews & hiring, Second-chance employers, Education & Training Resources. Thursday, November 5, 2026 | 9:00AM - 12:00 PM Northwest Educational Center (13163 NW Fwy, Houston, TX 77040) Bring updated copies of your resume and dress professionally!

COOPERATIVES FIRESIDE CHAT Building Partnerships Through Cooperative Purchasing Discussion Topics: Understanding Cooperative Purchasing Benefits for Public Agencies and Vendors Contract Accessibility & Compliance Purchasing Efficiencies & Best Practices Small Business Success Stories Upcoming Cooperative Opportunities