Grow your business
Enhance your capacity
Advance in concepts and techniques
Find contract opportunities with government agencies
The Readiness Training Program for HUBs (RTP for HUBs) is an innovative training program that enhances the competitiveness and capacity of minority and women-owned small businesses to bid on public sector contracts in the Austin region. Governments rely extensively on these small businesses to provide necessary services and products in the industry areas of construction, commodities, and professional and non-professional services.
The RTP for HUBs has a Two-Funnel (phase) design that addresses the needs of participating companies at various stages of their growth.
Funnel One is designed for minority and women-owned businesses that are either new or still small such as start-ups or companies with under $500,000 in revenues. The emphasis of Funnel One is on government contracting including how to (1) become certified as a DBE/HUB/M/WBE, (2) learn about contracting opportunities, and (3) bid on and execute contracts with governments.
Funnel Two training is designed to increase the capacity of small companies and is for advanced minority and women-owned enterprises and small businesses. They have higher revenues, over $500,000, and more employees than those in Funnel One. Funnel Two participants are offered advanced business concepts, techniques, and information that have proven effective in growing a small business.
In both Funnel One and Funnel Two session presenters share information, insights, advice, and best practices in accessing capital, identifying customers, and learning how certified and small businesses can present their capabilities to potential prime contractors and government agencies. All sessions are focused on winning and executing successfully contracts with local, state, and federal agencies in the Austin region.
All training sessions are virtual via the Zoom platform and free for enrolled small businesses.
Funnel Two—Spring/Summer 2024
The application process is now open for Funnel Two training that begins April 2024. The Funnel Two training offers multiple main sessions and workshops as described below. The ideal applicant has:
Before applying, please read the FAQS for additional details. Also, the online application is available below and on the FAQs page.
Look for periodic updates for presenter confirmations.
All Sessions are Online.
Sessions are on Tuesdays from 4:15 to 5:45
Workshops are on Thursdays from 4:15 to 5:45
Session 1: April 30
Welcoming Remarks, Recognition of Sponsors, HUB Company Self-Introductions, and Program Overview
Session 2: May 14
Marketing for Growth | Cheryl A. Brown, Executive Director, North San Diego Small Business Development Center
Session 3: June 4
Human Resources | Deirdre Pattillo, University of Texas at San Antonio SBDC Center for Government Contracting
Session 4: June 18
Small Business Finance for Owner-Operated Businesses | Jim Nolen, McCombs School of Business, UT-Austin
Session 5: June 25
Topic(s) to Be Determined and Graduation
Workshop 1: May 9
Local and State HUB/DBE/SBE Program Overviews, Bid Opportunities, and Upcoming Initiatives—Presentations by Travis County Purchasing Office, Small and Minority Business Resources Department of the City of Austin, Austin Independent School District HUB Program, and Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Workshop 2: Either May 16 or May 23
To Be Determined
Workshop 3
To Be Determined
The following link provides all previous session information, participant information, presenters and video training:
