Grow your business
Enhance your capacity
Advance in concepts and techniques
Find contracts in private and public sectors
The Travis County Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program and the University of Texas at Austin run a two-part readiness training program for HUBs. Funnel One training is for established firms that want to enhance capacity and seek contracting or business opportunities. Funnel Two training is for more advanced minority-owned and women-owned enterprises and small businesses.
Funnel Two training begins in Spring 2022. Well-qualified HUBs/DBEs/M/WBEs will be admitted into this seven-week program. Applicants will have years of experience, at least five employees, annual revenue surpassing $250,000, and a desire to improve both one’s business operations and marketing. Applicants should be located in the five-county Austin MSA or have existing contracts with governments in the region.
Beginning in late April, this program is designed for companies that are seeking to increase their capacity to win and execute successful contracts with local, state, and federal agencies in the Austin region. Attention also will be devoted to becoming a supplier to private sector businesses.
Meet our participating companies
All sessions will be on Tuesdays, from 4:15 to 5:45 pm, and are virtual via Zoom.
Topics are expected to include:
Session 1: April 19
Introductions and Welcoming Remarks | Dr. S. Craig Watkins, Director, IC2 Institute, UT-Austin
Keynote Presentation: HUB Business Opportunities In the Austin-Round Rock MSA | Commissioner Jeff Travillion, Precinct One, Travis County
Participant Self-Introductions
Session 2: April 26
Creating Your Pitch, Capability Statement, Value Proposition | Cheryl Brown, San Diego & Imperial Valley Small Business Development Center, and Dr. Greg Pogue, Deputy Director, IC2 Institute, UT-Austin
Session 3 : May 3
Marketing and Sales Strategies, Sales Channels and Techniques | Cheryl Brown San Diego & Imperial Valley Small Business Development Center and Greg Pogue, Deputy Director, IC2 Institute, UT-Austin
Session 4: May 10
Project and Contract Management | Jorge Talavera, Assistant Purchasing Agent, Travis County; Jessy Milner, Owner, President, Front Line Advisory Group, LLC; Cloteal Haynes, Principal and CEO, Haynes-Eaglin-Waters, LLC
Session 5: May 17
Key Financial Tools, Statements and Metrics, Sales Plan and Budget | Brian K. Marshall, Director Entrepreneurship, BCL of Texas, and Greg Pogue, Deputy Director, IC2 Institute, UT-Austin
Session 6: May 24
Private Sector Opportunities and Requirements | Karen Box, President and CEO, Southwest Minority Supplier Development Council; Tiya Scroggins, President, Scroggins Consulting, LLC
Session 7: June 7
Keynote Presentation on “Principles and Elements of a Successful Business” | Gary Hoover, Founder, Bookstop, Hoovers, and Reference Press
All sessions will be on the following Thursdays from 4:15 to 5:45 pm, and are virtual via Zoom.
Topics are expected to include:
Workshop 1 : May 5
Pitch Presentations by participant companies
Facilitators: Cheryl Brown, San Diego & Imperial Valley Small Business Development Center, Greg Pogue, Deputy Director, IC2 Institute, UT-Austin, Business Advisors
Peer-to-Peer Networking (post pitches)
Workshop 2: May 26
Proposal Writing and Responding to Purchasing Solicitations
Presenter: Terry Chase, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, Clean Energy Incubator
Workshop 3: Date TBD
Individual Company Assistance
FUNNEL 2 SESSION PLAYLIST
In Fall 2021, UT Austin launched the Readiness Training Program: Funnel 1. This program is designed for Minority and women-owned businesses that are either new or still small. The funnel one program’s main emphasis is on government contracting. The six sessions present the necessary steps for a small business to register or be certified as a HUB or DBE, learn about contracting opportunities, and bid on and execute contracts with governments. Other presenters shared information, insights, advice, and best practices in accessing capital, identifying customers, and presenting a HUB’s capabilities to potential prime contractors and to government agencies.
FUNNEL 1 SESSION PLAYLIST
All sessions will be on Tuesdays, from 4:30 to 6 pm, and be held virtually via Zoom, until further notice.
First Session
October 26
Welcoming Remarks—Dr. LaToya Smith, Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement, UT-Austin
Introduction and Recognition of Sponsor—Professor John Sibley Butler recognizes Travis County
Special Presentation: A Vision for Small Business Opportunities with An Equity
Lens— Travis County Commissioner Jeffrey Travillion
HUB Company Introductions
Remarks About IC² Institute and Upcoming Sessions—Dr. Greg Pogue, Deputy Executive Director, IC² Institute, UT-Austin
Second Session
November 2
Local Government HUB/M/WBE/DBE Program Overviews, Certifications, Bid Databases and Opportunities
Travis County—Sylvia Lopez, Director of HUB Program Office, Travis County and Jorge Talavera, Assistant Purchasing Agent, Travis County Purchasing Office
City of Austin—Mariza Aldrete Business Development Counselor II, SMBR Department, Certification
Austin Independent School District—Dinita Caldwell, HUB Program Director and Mason Crenshaw, Assistant Director in Purchasing
Special Presentation: Bonding and Insurance—Luke Ortega Luper, Principal and Owner of SWMBE Bonding Capacity Growth Program
Capital Metro—Diponker Mukhergee, Program Manager, Compliance and DBE Liason Officer and Danny Solano, Procurement Manager, Small Purchasing & Asset Disposal
Third Session
November 9
State and University HUB/DBE/SBE Program Overviews, Certification, Bid Databases and Opportunities
Comptroller of Public Accounts–Maya Ingram, Statewide HUB Program, Manager
The University of Texas System–Hopeton Hay Executive Director, HUB Office
The University of Texas at Austin–Tiffany Dockery Gibson, Director of HUB and SB
Program
Texas Department of Transportation—Michael D. Bryant, Director, Civil Rights Division
Texas Department of Information Resources—Lynn Hodde, Director of HUB, Outreach,
and Training
Special Presentation : Disadvantage Business Enterprise Certification—Cheryl A. Brown, San
Diego & Imperial Valley SBDC, MiraCosta College, San Diego, California
Fourth Session
November 16
Special Presentation: Overview and Advice on Small Business Finance —Jim Nolen, McCombs School of Business, The University of Texas at Austin
Senior Vice President of SBA Lending—Shasi Wilson, American Bank of Commerce
Presentation on Securing a Loan—TBD
*Thanksgiving Week—No Class on November 23*
Fifth Session
November 30
Special Presentation on Your Business Value Proposition—Richard Amato, Austin Technology Incubator
Special Presentation: Communicating Your Capabilities—Cheryl A. Brown, San Diego & Imperial Valley SBDC, MiraCosta College, San Diego, California
Sixth Session
December 7
Successful Contracting and Contractors
Haynes-Eaglin-Waters LLC
COE Concepts
Applying Sound Business Practices and Avoiding Mistakes in Public Contracting—Expert Panel Advice
Funnel Two Preview—Dr. Greg Pogue, Deputy Executive Director, IC² Institute, UT-Austin
Recognition of Graduates and Comments
Two mentor sessions also will occur and present an opportunity to receive advice and constructive feedback on specific assignments. In addition, a number of business honors students may be available to assist with specialized questions in accounting, finance, and marketing. Networking among companies, instructors, mentors, and UT-Austin staff and students will occur as health conditions permit.
