Since 1968, the Pasadena Campus has been a trusted resource for residents of southeast Harris County.

In 2021 the campus underwent a major renovation, doubling its size and ushering in a new era of services. Today, the BakerRipley Pasadena Campus offers training and support for entrepreneurs, an Immigration and Citizenship office, adult education, job training and more.

La Cámara de Empresarios Latinos de Houston (CELH) fue fundada en 1993 con el objetivo de apoyar el crecimiento de los negocios establecidos en la ciudad de Houston.

Los miembros que integran la CELH, en su mayoría, son empresarios de origen latinoamericano. Nuestros miembros incluyen empresas de idiomas, restaurantes, tiendas de abarrotes, contratistas, seguros comerciales y personales, computación, mercadeo y publicidad, asesoría financiera, distribuidores mayoristas y minoristas, compañías de gas, compañías de comunicación entre otros.

The East End District provides services and conducts capital improvements throughout the 16 square miles of the District.

The services, funded by assessments paid by commercial property interests throughout the District, include public safety programs, an award-winning graffiti abatement program, maintenance of major thoroughfares, and disposal of illegally dumped trash. The District’s grant-funded capital program focuses on connecting neighborhoods and business to transit, and will result in $45 million in improvements through 2023.

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses has partnered with Houston Community College to provide small business owners in the Greater Houston Region with access to practical business courses, financial capital, and powerful networking opportunities to help their businesses grow.

Through the support of the Goldman Sachs Foundation, business owners selected to participate will receive a scholarship covering the full cost of tuition and program materials.

Stimulating Small Business Growth

Designed by Babson College, the nation’s top-ranked entrepreneurship school, the curriculum focuses on practical business skills that can immediately be applied by business owners. Statistics show the program impact on 10,000 Small BusinessesAlumni data captured in Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Annual Report

A Network of Support

Small business owners will receive one-on-one business advising and powerful networking opportunities. The program provides expert advice and technical assistance through partnerships with national and local business organizations, professional services firms, and the people of Goldman Sachs.

Precinct 2 is home to 1.3 million residents and encompasses nearly 560 square miles of east Harris County. It spans from the vibrant small businesses in the Historic East End to the serene views of Clear Lake to the bustling petrochemical hub in Baytown and its surrounding area.
With 1,100 miles of roads, 18 municipalities, 11 school districts within its boundaries, the sense of community in Precinct 2 is strong.

Precinct 2 is home to 55 parks, including the award-winning James Driver Inclusive Park – the only fully inclusive park in Harris County. The precinct also features the only free public beach in the county – Sylvan Beach Park.

As home to NASA, the Ship Channel, San Jacinto Battleground, Washburn Tunnel, and Lynchburg Ferry - history, hard work, and innovation run deep in Precinct 2.

HCC Center for Entrepreneurship - Southeast is dedicated to helping Houston individuals interested in ideating, starting and growing their businesses. You don’t have to be a student to participate in our many workshops, seminars, and programs! The Center is also dedicated to helping our students to have an entrepreneurial spirit, and learn ways to leverage their skills into business ventures.

HMSDC is a vital link between major corporations and minority business enterprises (MBEs). Each year, member corporations have reported billions of dollars spent with Council-certified Minority Business Enterprises. Serving the Houston region, the Council is one of the 23 regional affiliates of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. (NMSDC).

The Houston Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. (The Council™), a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, identifies minority suppliers; certifies bona-fide minority business enterprises; and facilitates procurement opportunities between major purchasing entities and Council-certified minority suppliers. That supplier group includes Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native-American businesses located throughout the Texas Gulf Coast area. The Council’s membership consists of Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, educational institutions and non-profit organizations.

Our mission is to connect businesses to promote economic expansion and investment in the East End.

President - Frances Castañeda Dyess
Board Chair - Mike Redditt

• Our Vision is to be the premier catalyst for economic and community development in the East End.

• The East End Today

  The East End remains the commercial center of the city today. It’s also the hub of Houston’s transportation systems. The East End links the industrialized centers of the United States and Canada with the Port of Houston and Mexico.

  Until recently, international trade, manufacturing and warehousing dominated the East End area’s economy. Today the East End is beginning to reap the rewards from new channels, such as the Metro rail. Upward trends in residential housing and retail business along rail corridors forecast the East End to continue its recent growth pattern. Additionally, over half a billion dollars is being invested in the Greater East End, bringing light rail through the heart of this community along with major street beautification, including pavers, trees, pedestrian lighting, street furniture and bike trails. Houston’s best-kept secret is no longer a secret.

  The success of the Chamber is deeply rooted within the culture and connections of its region—more specifically, the people and relationships of the East End. In a five-mile radius the East End is home to over 234,000 people, and over 7,700 businesses with over 100,000 employees.

  We believe from these relationships is where commerce swells. Because strong relationships spur growth, purchase with confidence, get contracts signed, and refer out-of-good-faith.

We’re your voice at the IRS

The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization within the IRS. We’re here to ensure that every taxpayer is treated fairly and that you know and understand your rights. Our advocates can help if you have tax problems that you can’t resolve on your own.

LiftFund was founded to level the financial playing field for the underestimated entrepreneur. 

We provide a hand up to small business owners, so they have a chance to succeed. We’ve provided millions of dollars in micro and small business loans to diverse, hard-working entrepreneurs with a 96% successful repayment rate. For every $1 we lend, there is a positive economic return of $14. Daily, thousands of small businesses and entrepreneurs are denied capital and tap into high interest rate debt and predatory lenders that cost more than they can afford. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to build a company successfully with capital no matter their background, race, ethnicity, sexual identity or geography.

LiftFund is a non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Community Development Corporation (CDC) that supports small business owners with limited access to capital through small business loans and technical support for their dreams of entrepreneurship. 

We could not do this work alone, partnering with community leaders, lending institutions, governments, foundations, and small business serving organizations to create a support system and network for our clients. 

We provide direct capital to our clients including SBA microloans, SBA Community Advantage, SBA 504 Loans, EDA Loans in our 15-state footprint.  

• History & Mission

• Mission Statement

  The Mission of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce is to "promote economic development and community growth to ensure the prosperity of Pasadena’s businesses and citizens."

  Celebrating 90 Years in Business for Business SINCE 1927

  The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce mission statement is a perfect summary of the Chamber’s purpose and approach throughout its existence. What began as an idea written down and shared on November 28, 1927 became a reality that continues to lead, serve and grow our community. A.T. Vick envisioned a chamber that would help promote business and citizenship for the city of Pasadena

  During that timeframe, the city of Houston sought to annex Pasadena as a lucrative tax base. Many others joined A.T. Vick’s efforts to declare Pasadena’s independence! In 1941, the new chamber elected its first chairman of the board, Mr. Joseph F. Henson. In 1943, our chamber joined the national United States Chamber of Commerce organization. In 1953, the Chamber filed its articles of incorporation with the Texas Secretary of State’s office.

  In 1967, the chamber began an annual Citizen of the Year award presented to Mr. Jess Strickland. This prestigious award continues to this day and is based on the nominations from chamber members and members of the community. Excitement always builds as the Citizen of the Year is announced at the chamber’s Annual Gala.

  Pasadena Chamber of Commerce called many buildings home, but due to the generosity of John O. Harris Interests the chamber secured and has improved its current location at 4334 Fairmont Parkway.

  In 1988 the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce named its first Business of the Year: John Phelps Insurance. The businesses who receive this award contribute to the growth and stability of Pasadena. Nominations for this award are solicited each year from the chamber membership. The award itself is presented at the chamber’s State of the City address.

  In 1988, The Pasadena Chamber of Commerce also awarded the first Artist of the Year award to Martha Smith Hayes. This award goes to an individual working to help keep cultural arts alive in our city.

  In 1995 the first Industry of the Year was presented to Air Products. Recipients of this annual award exemplify generosity through their involvement in charitable organizations, community projects, positive impact within the business community, and a focus on safety, environmental and quality control standards. The Industry of the Year award corresponds with the Industry of the Year Golf Tournament held each May.

  Among its fundraising events that help to provide scholarships for deserving Pasadena Independent School District, San Jacinto College, Texas Chiropractic College and University of Houston students, the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce is known for its Taste of the Town celebration. The event was launched in 1989 and helps highlight area restaurateurs.  Taste of the Town is the chamber’s hallmark event.

  On Thursday, December 8, 2015, the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce celebrated 75 years of chamber leadership. The work of the chamber continues due to the commitment of those who came before us and those who continue to work with us today. It is our desire to continue connecting our community for generations to come.

• Upcoming Events

  Dec 1Federal Contracting Fridays

  Dec 1Ribbon Cutting - HOTWORX

  Dec 4Ribbon Cutting - PISD Administration Building

  Dec 5IMPACT - Presentation

  Dec 5City Council

  Dec 5Ribbon Cutting - Ghuneim Law Firm

  Dec 6Workforce Development Committee Meeting

  Dec 6Developing Your Business Plan

  Dec 7Annual Gala: Roaring 20's

  Dec 9The Sanctuary Foster Care Car Show

  Dec 1Federal Contracting Fridays

  Dec 1Ribbon Cutting - HOTWORX

  Dec 4Ribbon Cutting - PISD Administration Building

  Dec 5IMPACT - Presentation

  Dec 5City Council

  Dec 5Ribbon Cutting - Ghuneim Law Firm

  Dec 6Workforce Development Committee Meeting

  Dec 6Developing Your Business Plan

  Dec 7Annual Gala: Roaring 20's

  Dec 9The Sanctuary Foster Care Car Show

PeopleFund provides small business loans as well as business assistance and education to people with otherwise limited access to such resources.  Since being founded in east Austin in 1994 as Austin Community Development Corporation, PeopleFund’s financial and educational assistance has helped create thousands of jobs and empowered an even greater number of Texans on a path to financial stability and independence. PeopleFund is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and operates as a non-profit 501(c)(3) serving all of Texas.

Houston District

Services we provide

Our office provides help with SBA services including funding programs, counseling, federal contracting certifications, and disaster recovery. We can also connect you to our partner organizations, lenders, and other community groups that help small businesses succeed.

Areas we serve

The Houston District Office services 32 counties in southeastern Texas.

SCORE Houston

Serving the Greater Houston Area

• We 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.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to help historically disadvantaged individuals and communities create thriving and resilient small businesses and entrepreneurial ecosystems in order to close racial and economic disparities and ensure an inclusive and equitable society.

The University of Houston Texas Gulf Coast Small Business Development Center Network provides business advising, access to training, tools and resources to help small businesses start, grow, expand and succeed. Designated as one of Texas’s top business assistance programs, the SBDC has 14 centers from Lufkin to Lake Jackson that serves 32 counties in southeast Texas. Since 1984, our network has helped construct a regional ecosystem to foster the spirit, support, and success of thousands of entrepreneurs and innovators.

We are part of theUniversity of Houston, and are funded in part through a cooperative agreement with theU.S. Small Business Administration.

Mission

To deliver expert business advice and training to help existing and future business owners start, grow and succeed

Vision

To be the first-choice provider of business advice and training to entrepreneurs and business owners.