Start with the plain guide. Open the deeper layers when you want the ecosystem around it.
IntensityParticipateJoin a meeting, use a service, take part.
StewardBusiness
0Orgs
0Policies
9Links
First readWhat to know+
Topic: Small business support and M/W/DBE certification in Harris CountySource: Office of Commissioner Rodney EllisWho It Helps: Minority, women, and disadvantaged business ownersReading Time: About 2-3 minutesCoverage Area: Harris County, including City of Houston partners
Next rungHow to step in+
Good first step: Act Harris County M/W/DBE Certification Program
Visit Commissioner Ellis's official page and look for the M/W/DBE certification link. You can also call his office and say: 'I want to learn about small business certifications and contracting opportunities in Harris County.'
Harris County wants to help small, minority-, and women-owned businesses grow. Commissioner Rodney Ellis's office connects you with certifications, county contracting opportunities, and funding programs — all aimed at making the local economy more fair and inclusive.
The page covers three main areas. First, certifications: Harris County recognizes M/W/DBE and HUB certifications from approved agencies. The county does not issue its own certifications, but it accepts credentials from several certifying bodies — as long as your firm has a significant local presence. Second, contracting: you can browse active Harris County solicitations and use the county's Diversity Monitoring System to track opportunities. Third, business support: partners ranging from the University of Houston APEX Accelerator to Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) offer training, mentorship, and financing.
Start by figuring out which certification fits your business. Check the Harris County Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity's list of recognized certifying agencies — then apply through the right one. Once certified, use the county's current solicitations board to find contracts that match your goods or services. If you need funding, explore the Harris County Opportunity Fund and local CDFIs. And if you want a direct connection to county leadership, the Office of Commissioner Ellis invites you to share what your business offers.
No fixed date
Not location-specific
This resource connects to a wide network of Houston-area support. The City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity, the University of Houston APEX Accelerator, Impact Hub Houston, local Chambers of Commerce, and SBA Small Business Development Centers all offer complementary help. Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses provides business education and networking. CDFIs can fill financing gaps that traditional banks often leave open.
Certifications like Minority, Women, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (M/W/DBE) and Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) help level a playing field that has long been uneven. They open doors to public and private contracts, improve supplier diversity, and help close gaps that have kept many businesses on the sidelines.
