Business to Business Support

Entrepreneurs and small business owners benefit from living and working in Texas and the Houston metropolitan area. In addition to Texas’ business friendly climate, there are innumerable resources available to assist when starting or expanding a business. In addition, Houston boasts active support for technology, biotechnology, and other specialized business needs. This page lists some of Houston’s resources. For more information, please call Dan Seal or Barbara Cutsinger at 832.536.3255 or email dan@bayareahouston.com or barbara@bayareahouston.com.

The Houston Region has an unparalleled support system to assist small and emerging businesses wishing to relocate or expand in the area.

Resource	Phone Number	Web Address	Description of Services
BioHouston 8030 El Rio St. Houston, TX 77054	713-842-6188	www.biohouston.org	BioHouston, Inc. is a non-profit, tax-exempt [501(c)(3)] corporation founded by Houston-region academic/research institutions. They are leading a broad effort to establish the Houston region as a vigorous global competitor in life science and biotechnology commercialization. BioHouston works with the leaders of some of the greatest research institutions in the world and interacts with scientists, venture capitalists, public officials, pharmaceutical industry leaders, and the leaders of emerging biotechnology companies.
Galveston County Small Business Development Center 8419 Emmett F. Lowry Expwy. Texas City, TX 77591	409-933-1414	www.galvestoncounty.sbdcnetwork.net	The Galveston County Small Business Development Center (GC SBDC) provides business consulting and training to help entrepreneurs and small business owners at every stage of your business development. Assistance is customized to your needs, whether you need help evaluating financing alternatives, developing a loan package, reviewing and updating your business plan, or improving productivity and profitabilty. GC SBDC can also help you evaluate new market opportunities selling to federal, state, and local governments or to customers outside the United States.
Houston Business Solutions Center 900 Bagby St. Houston, TX 77002	832-393-0954	http://www.houstontx.gov/hbsc	The Houston Business Solutions Center provides free information, programs and services designed for small business owners and entrepreneurs regarding city, county, state and federal regulations.
Houston Export Assistance Center 1919 Smith St., Suite 1026 Houston, TX 77002	713-209-3104	www.buyusa.gov/houston/	The U.S. Export Assistance Center of the U.S. Department of Commerce is part of the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service, an extensive network of trade specialists located throughout the world devoted to assisting U.S. companies expand their international business presence. The Export Assistance Center helps companies identify and evaluate international partners, navigate international documentation challenges, create market entry strategies and provide other export related guidance.
Houston Technology Center 410 Pierce St. Houston, TX 77002	713-658-1750	www.houstontech.org	HTC is a nonprofit organization enabling and accelerating the growth of emerging technology companies for the purpose of creating jobs and promoting economic development in the greater Houston region.
San Jacinto College Small Business Development Center (Counseling is provided at four locations.)	281-485-5214 ext. 16	www.sanjac.edu/parents-community/community/small-business-development-center	San Jacinto College's Small Business Development Center offers free, private counseling and low-cost workshops that help entrepreneurs start new businesses, grow their existing businesses, and boost productivity and profitability. Guidance is provided on every facet of business, including applying for loans, writing business plans, creating marketing strategies, developing budgets and much more.
SATOP - Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program 18045 Saturn Lane Houston, TX 77058	832-536-3255	www.spacetechsolutions.com	The Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP) strives to transfer the knowledge and technology of the space program to small businesses. Any type of small business is encouraged to submit a technical challenge to SATOP. If SATOP is able to assist, the small business is provided with up to 40 hours of FREE technical assistance from a scientist or engineer in the Space Program.
University of Houston SBDC - Small Business Development Center 2302 Fannin, Suite 200 Houston, TX 77002	713-752-8444	www.sbdc.uh.edu	The SBDC offers assistance to those starting or expanding a business. The center offers services such as consulting, workshops and seminars, specialty programs, facility rental and customized training and access to the SBDC’s business library.
SCORE - Service Corps of Retired Executives 8701 S. Gessner, Suite 1200 Houston, TX 77074	713-773-6565	www.scorehouston.org	SCORE "Counselors to America’s Small Business” is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE volunteers serve as "Counselors to America’s Small Business.” They are real-world professionals with time-tested knowledge who donate thousands of hours to help small businesses succeed. Counselors are experts in such areas as accounting, finance, marketing, management and business plan preparation.
Texas Online (Information on business registrations, licenses and permits)	N/A	http://www.state.tx.us/portal/tol/en/bus/2	Licenses, registrations and permitting vary by the industry and regulating agency. The state’s website will provide detailed information on this topic.
The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship Rice University 6100 Main Street Houston, TX 77005	713-348-3443	www.alliance.rice.edu	The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship is Rice University’s flagship initiative devoted to the support of technology entrepreneurship. The Rice Alliance has assisted in the launch over 225 new technology companies. The Rice Alliance provides a collaborative network and forum for support, education, and exchange of ideas. It also provides entrepreneurs access to the human and financial capital needed for success.
Workforce Solutions P.O. Box 22777 Houston, TX 77227-2777	713-627-3200 Toll free number: 1-888-469-JOBS (5627)	www.wrksolutions.com	Workforce Solutions provides free assistance to businesses of all sizes; they can answer questions relating to state and federal employment laws; can help companies find qualified candidates who are trained and equipped with the correct skills to fill open positions; and can also help find solutions for human resource needs. The organization matches qualified applicants with employers through the largest job matching database in the state.