In a move to increase exposure for minority business enterprises (MBEs), the Greater Houston Partnership’s One Houston Together launched the Houston MBE Accelerator, a new 16-week pilot program designed to harness the collective purchasing power of our region’s business community to grow spending with MBEs. The accelerator has seen initial success by facilitating 32 matches for participating MBEs with seven major corporations, resulting in the awarding of four contracts valued at $3.5 million and seven Request for Information (RFI).

“These are remarkable results from the pilot offering of the MBE Accelerator. The Partnership is focused on creating opportunity, both for companies and Houstonians alike. The new business relationships spurred by this initial program are a great start, and we look forward to expanding the initiative to more corporates and MBEs in the future.” -- Steve Kean, President and CEO, Greater Houston Partnership

The Houston MBE Accelerator focuses on facilitating introductions to MBEs that are business-ready, have a proven track record of delivering goods and services for corporate and institutional purchasers, and are currently doing business with a Partnership member company. These three factors differentiate the program from other accelerators.

Seven Partnership members participated in the program:   

• Baker Hughes
• CenterPoint
• Chevron
• Harris Health System
• JPMorgan Chase
• Oxy*
• Shell

The following nine MBEs participated in the program:  

• Cole Chemical
• Collaborate
• Competitive Choice
• MCA Communications
• Prime Elevator Corp.
• Sterling Staffing Solutions
• Twice Media Productions
• Vecor Pipeline Integrity
• Vizion Crane & Industrial Support

“We are pleased to partner with organizations that share our commitment and values.  The Greater Houston Partnership’s minority business accelerator program aligns with our own aspirations to increase our spend with minority-owned businesses in the greater Houston region which we believe helps us grow and prosper along with the businesses and surrounding communities.”   -- Steve Freeman, Chevron, Chief Procurement Officer

The MBE selection process began with 28 MBEs representing 15 different categories and all with prior experience providing goods and services to Partnership member companies. The nine MBEs selected for the Accelerator pilot were chosen based on their product and service offerings being aligned with potential upcoming purchasing opportunities of the seven Partnership members. Determining a match between goods and services and potential spend opportunities paved the way for meaningful engagements between corporate decision makers and the nine MBEs.

As of June, the program has initially resulted in new spend of $3.5 million across four contracts with the MBEs.  Outcomes from introductions made during the pilot will continue to be tracked over the next year including the in-process RFIs.

The accelerator’s focused approach has allowed the participating corporations to identify potential opportunities with MBEs that likely would not have been possible without the program.

“The Partnership’s minority business accelerator program has served as a catalyst in our own efforts to improve outcomes in supplier diversity. We’ve made several meaningful connections facilitated by this program.  I’m very grateful for the opportunity to participate in this groundbreaking effort.”  -- Terence Baptiste, Chevron, Supply Chain Advisor, Supplier Diversity

If you are interested in learning more about the MBEs or are a Partnership member purchaser and want to participate in the next accelerator, check out our MBE directory or contact LaTanya Flix, Senior Vice President, Inclusive Leadership & Opportunity.