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First readWhat to know+
Topic: Small business support for minority, women, and disadvantaged owners in Harris CountySource: Office of Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Harris CountyKey Program: M/W/DBE and HUB business certificationsWhat's Available: Funding, accelerators, and county contracting opportunitiesReading Time: About 3-5 minutes
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Good first step: Act Harris County small business certification and resources page
Visit Commissioner Ellis's website and search 'Equity in Enterprise' to find out if your business qualifies for certification or funding help.
Harris County wants small businesses to succeed — especially those owned by minorities, women, and historically disadvantaged entrepreneurs. Commissioner Rodney Ellis's office has pulled together certifications guidance, funding options, accelerator programs, and contracting opportunities all in one place. If you run a small or diverse business in the Houston area, this page is a solid starting point.
The page covers three main areas. First, it explains what business certifications are and how Harris County recognizes them — important because Harris County does not issue certifications itself, but it does accept credentials from approved certifying agencies. Second, it lists local and national resources: funding programs, accelerators like the University of Houston APEX Accelerator and Impact Hub Houston, lending options through Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), and national programs like Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses. Third, it shows you how to connect directly with Commissioner Ellis's office if you want to offer your goods or services to Harris County.
Start by figuring out which certification fits your business. Review what M/W/DBE and HUB mean and check whether you qualify. Then look at the list of agencies Harris County accepts for M/WBE credit — getting certified through one of them means Harris County can count your participation in its diversity goals. Once you have a certification (or while you're pursuing one), browse the contracting opportunities listed under Harris County current solicitations. Pair that with a funding resource or accelerator program to strengthen your business before you bid. Finally, reach out to Commissioner Ellis's office directly to introduce yourself — they are actively looking to connect with small and diverse businesses.
No fixed date
Not location-specific
This resource connects to a wide network. On the government side, it links to Harris County's MWBE (Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise) Program, the Harris County Diversity Monitoring System, and the City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity. On the nonprofit and private side, you'll find the SBA (Small Business Administration) Small Business Development Centers, local chambers of commerce, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, and CDFIs that offer small-business lending. Together, these partners can help you certify, fund, and grow your business at every stage.
Owning a business is hard. Breaking into government contracting or landing your first big client is even harder when you don't know where to look. Certifications like Minority, Women, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (M/W/DBE) and Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) help level the playing field. They signal to public agencies and large companies that your business qualifies for supplier diversity programs — which can open doors that might otherwise stay closed. Harris County recognizes several of these certifications for M/WBE (Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise) credit, so earning one can have real payoff right here at home.
