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Business Resources

Funding

PeopleFund is a Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI), and we provide access to capital and technical support for businesses that have trouble accessing capital through conventional sources. We offer the following:

Flash Fund Loan Program up to $25,000;
SBA MicroLoan Program up to $50,000;
SBA Community Advantage Loan Program up to $350,000; and
SBA 504 Loan Program up to $5.5 Million for owner-occupied property (over 50%).
Certification

Check out PeopleFund's BIPOC Small Business Accelerator provides entrepreneurs of color with the capital, education, and resources needed to support healthy business growth. Program participants commit to an orientation, a series of virtual training sessions, and “homework” assigned in between training sessions over the course of 3 months. Participants also receive access to technology and tools including LivePlan business planning software and an online curriculum for a period of 12 months from the program orientation, expedited loan packaging and application support, and ongoing after-care provided by PeopleFund and our partners. Graduates of the program who apply and are approved receive a loan up to $50,000 and a grant of up to 10% of the loan amount to be used for equity injection or business purposes.

Learn more at https://peoplefund.org/

The Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) certifies the following types of businesses through the City of Houston’s local certification program: Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), Women Business Enterprises (WBE), Small Business Enterprises (SBE), and Persons with Disabilities Business Enterprises (PDBE).

Learn more at https://www.houstontx.gov/obo/certification_overview.html

Magnolia Fund

Created by Erik Ibarra, Magnolia Fund is “a mission-driven investment fund dedicated to enriching the East End community and preserving the neighborhood's culture and history.”

Learn more at https://www.magnolia.fund/

Training

MBDA Pandemic Recovery Center’s mission is to assist Houston’s minority business community in recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic, ensuring equity for minority entrepreneurs by advancing business opportunities and building stronger, more resilient minority businesses.

Learn more at https://www.hccs.edu/hcc-in-the-community/entrepreneurial-initiatives/mbda-pandemic-recovery-center/

The Office of Business Opportunity is dedicated to providing capacity and skills building opportunities for small business owners and potential entrepreneurs.

Learn more at https://www.houstontx.gov/obo/events.html

Business Assistance

SCORE

SCORE offer FREE business advice, low-cost or no-cost business training, and numerous templates and tools. Our 150+ volunteers are experienced entrepreneurs, corporate managers, and executives from a diverse set of industries and specialties. They share their experience and knowledge to help you, small business owners, start, develop, and grow businesses. Learn more HERE

US Small Business Administration (SBA)

Check out the SBA Resource Packet HERE

Baker Ripley Free Tax Services
* Tax returns and amendments (Click here for a list of documents to bring)
* ITIN applications and renewals (Click here for a list of documents to bring)
* American Sign Language interpreter (by appointment only)

12 sites available in the Greater Houston Area and Montgomery County. Locations and hours of operation HERE

Learn more at https://www.bakerripley.org/services/baker-ripley-tax-center