Build Up Houston

The City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity brings you the Build Up Houston program, powered by Interise's award-winning StreetWise 'MBA'™ curriculum. This hands-on program provides the knowledge and know-how business owners need to create (and manage) a customized, three-year strategic growth plan.

National Program Results
Based on 2018 Assessment Data, collected by Interise

• 69% of alumni businesses increased or maintained their annual revenues, with an average annual revenue growth of 36%. 
• 80% of alumni businesses reported being profitable. 
• $704 million in government contracting secured by alumni businesses. 
• 66% of alumni CEOs stay connected to fellow participants, with 32% doing business with each other. 
• 66% of alumni businesses added or retained jobs.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

• Applicant must be the owner or co-owner of business.
• Business must be certified with the City of Houston
• (MWSBE, DBE, PDBE, ACDBE)
• Business operating a minimum of two years, three years preferred
• Business has a minimum of two employees
• Business has a minimum of $150,000 annual revenue
• Preferred business industries: hospitality, food & beverage, retail, construction