Apply to Attend
Fall 2021
Readiness Training Program for Historically Underutilized Businesses (RTP for HUBs)
Successfully contract with Austin-area local and state government agencies
Identify bids that best suit your company
Hear from companies who have bid and won contracts
Increase your business finance fluency through understanding loan applications and improving your sales pitch
If you are a Minority and women-owned business, particularly one that is either new or still small, then this new series from UT-Austin may help you and your business. The main emphasis is government contracting. The six sessions will present the necessary steps for a small business to register or be certified as a HUB or DBE, learn about contracting opportunities, to bid on and to execute successfully contracts with governments. Other presenters will share 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.
You must complete an application to be considered for these training sessions. By clicking on this link you may download a form that can be filled out and submitted. This same form also will allow you to apply to livestream some of these sessions as an observer only. Apply today if interested as applications are reviewed as they are submitted.
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 (invited)
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
City of Austin—Elton Price, Certification Division Manager, Small and Minority
Business Resources Department
Austin Independent School District—Dinita Caldwell, HUB Program Director
Capital Metro–
Special Presentation on Bonding/Insurance—Luke Ortega Luper, SWMBE Bonding Capacity
Growth Program
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
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 on Disadvantage Business Enterprise Certification—Cheryl A. Brown, San
Diego & Imperial Valley SBDC, MiraCosta College, San Diego, California
Fourth Session
November 16
Special Presentation on Small Business Finance–Overview and Advice—Jim Nolen, McCombs
School of Business, University of Texas at Austin
Presentation on Securing a Loan—
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 on 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.
