Ft. Bend Co. to Award Nearly $500k to Business Accelerator Graduates
The Fort Bend Entrepreneur Business Accelerator program announces the graduation of its first class of participants at a ceremony to be held Thursday, November 18, 2021, from 4–6 p.m. at the Landmark Community Center, located at 100 Louisiana St., Missouri City, TX. Fort Bend County Judge KP George will give remarks at the ceremony. Event organizers have also invited the following dignitaries:
County Commissioners Grady Prestage, Ken Demerchant, Andy Meyers, and Vincent Morales
Mayor Joe Zimmerman, Sugar Land
Mayor Robin J. Elackatt, Missouri City
Mayor Rebecca Haas, Richmond
State Rep. Troy Nehls, Rep. Ron Reynolds
State Senator Borris Miles
U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee
“Our small business owners and residents have faced unprecedented challenges over the past year due to the COVID -19 pandemic. The Fort Bend Entrepreneur Business Accelerator program provides business owners with the assistance and resources they need while jumpstarting Fort Bend County’s economic recovery,” said Fort Bend County Judge KP George. “Economic downturns can be chaotic and uncertain, that’s why together, with our County Commissioners, we have and will continue to do everything we can to support our business community.”
Approximately 95 entrepreneurs will each receive a $5,000 business grant, funded by the American Recovery Act, upon graduation from the Fort Bend Entrepreneur Business Accelerator program. The ceremony will also include a pitch deck competition, which will spotlight the top 10 pitches from company founders seeking funding.
The Fort Bend Entrepreneur Business Accelerator program was created in response to the devastating impact to small business from the Covid-19 pandemic. The mission of the program is to help accelerate Fort Bend County businesses by educating founders on handling barriers to growth capital, accessing competitive and profitable business opportunities, doing business with local and state entities, and establishing critical relationships.
Experienced consultants and specialists facilitated a regimented 11-course curriculum on topics including sales and marketing, financing, human resources, technology, business planning and operations, revenue models, negotiations and more. Participants also received practical, one-on-one guidance from mentors and access to a robust online coaching platform.
“We are so excited for the participants of this incredible program because we know these graduates will take the valuable information they learned and apply it to their businesses to see massive growth,” said Stephen Levi Carter, program facilitator. “Strong, thriving businesses are a marker of the strength of our local economy. Fort Bend County and the greater Houston area will surely benefit from the growth of these companies.”
For more information, visit www.fortbendentrepreneur.com.
