Liftoff Houston Business Plan Competition
Houston Public Library, Texas
Innovation Synopsis
The Liftoff Houston business plan competition engages and empowers Houstonians seeking to start a new business through access to essential information, resources and support necessary to develop a sound business plan as a first step toward realizing this goal.
Challenge/Opportunity
Liftoff Houston is an innovative solution helping ordinary individuals realize their dream of business ownership. Liftoff Houston provides access to the resources that are critical to business start-ups success — knowledge, capital and a strong support system. The six-month long competition encompasses library hosted workshops and webinars, business and financial mentoring, and cash awards totaling more than $50,000. Experienced business owners and experts facilitate interactive sessions and one-on-one counseling designed to foster business acumen and plan refinement. The competition presents an opportunity to showcase the vast and invaluable business resources and technology services available within the city and the library.
Key Elements of Innovation
Liftoff Houston is a public/private partnership between the Houston Public Library, Office of Business Opportunity and Capital One Bank. Liftoff Houston presents a unique opportunity through the shared vision of enhancing the economic landscape for Houston through new business development to empower and encourage Houston residents to achieve their goal of business ownership. Liftoff Houston positions the library as a catalyst for helping to advance the City’s goal of growth and sustainability, emphasizing the important role that public libraries play in small business development and the immeasurable impact that free access to critical business-related resources has on the community.
Achieved Outcomes
Libraries are revered as trusted community institutions and connectors and the implementation of Liftoff Houston is no exception. Celebrating its fourth year, Liftoff Houston has connected thousands of Houstonians with critical educational and financial resources in collaboration with over 15 government, business and nonprofit stakeholders citywide and helped to realize the dream of business ownership for nine new companies funded through the program. The program is receiving increased recognition and this year will launch the first Liftoff Houston Start-Up Expo and Pitch event at the George R. Brown Convention Center, positioning the library and its partners on a national platform.
