Office of Business Opportunity

OBO Press Release

Office of Business Opportunity and People Fund Partner on Innovation Week

April 19, 2017 -- In support of National Small Business Week, May 1st through 5th, PeopleFund and the City of Houston's Office of Business Opportunity, along with several community partners, will host Innovation Week. The free event, to be held at the Leonel Castillo Community Center, will feature over 30 one-hour business and financial education sessions that emphasize leadership, innovation, financial success, marketing, and social entrepreneurship.

The event is sponsored by Texas Capital Bank, Nortridge Software, Frost Bank, Constant Contact, with additional participation from the following community partners: BakerRipley, Cámara de Comercio Centroamericana, Cámara de Empresarios Latinos, Houston Community College, Fruition Labs, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, Houston Minority Supplier Development Council, Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Minority Contractors, SCORE, UH SURE program, Bayou MicroFund, and Women's Business Enterprise Alliance.

Thursday, May 4th will offer programming entirely in Spanish.

Innovation Week will also include a three-hour Entrepreneur Village, where small businesses can engage with community partners, local resources, and nonprofit organizations offering support services.

"Now in its second year, Innovation Week is a culmination of everything PeopleFund stands for: access to capital, business education, and community collaboration. This event brings skills, networking, and small business tools directly into the hands of Houston entrepreneurs," said PeopleFund CEO Gary Lindner.

"A competitive business environment in the city, including a thriving community of small businesses, is critical to the economy of the City of Houston. Initiatives like Innovation Week foster the growth of our small business community," said Mayor Sylvester Turner.

"The Office of Business Opportunity is pleased to partner with PeopleFund on Innovation Week. Our goal is to support the growing small businesses and entrepreneurial spirit in Houston. Innovation Week brings together all of the resources and information needed to start or grow your business all under one roof." said Office of Business Opportunity Director Carlecia D. Wright.

For a full agenda and session details, please visit peoplefund.org/innovation-week or contact Jadeline Cao, Education Specialist at jcao@peoplefund.org or 512.222.1007.