Your Ideas Deserve a Chance.
You Deserve Support.
You Deserve Support.
Impact Hub Houston's Build Equity -- or "BE" -- entrepreneurship program provides a step-by-step process for you to turn your desire to start a business into you owning and operating a real-world business in less than a year. It begins with a 6-week, in-person bootcamp focused on entrepreneurial mindset, financial fundamentals, customer discovery, and operations. After the bootcamp, you will receive four months of personalized mentorship and four months of student consulting support to help you refine, formalize, and launch your business with confidence.
We designed this program with YOU in mind.
In these uncertain economic times, owning your own business can be a path to financial stability, independence, and long-term resilience.
You might be thinking: "I don't know where to start." "I can't afford to take that risk." "People like me don't start businesses."
We hear you. And want to tell you something important: You already have what it takes.
What you might be missing are the tools, the step-by-step guidance, and the community to help you move forward. That's exactly what Build Equity provides.
"To start a business, you don’t have to have all of the answers on Day One. Just be willing to learn, build something meaningful, and take action ... one step at a time."
This is a 10-month program split into three parts.
First, Attend a 6 Week Bootcamp
- When: Saturdays, March 7 through April 11
- Time: 8:30AM - 1:00PM
- Location: Central Houston (in person)
- Classroom style learning to guide you through the entrepreneurial journey. You'll learn from teachers, guest entrepreneurs, and other business experts.
Then, Get Matched with Mentors
- When: April 20 - August 8th (~4 months)
- Time: Flexible
- Location: In person or Online
- You will be matched with an experienced entrepreneur who provides guidance, accountability, and strategic support as you apply what you learned during the bootcamp.
End with, Hands-on Support to bring your business to life!
- When: Late August to Early December (~4 months)
- Time: Flexible
- Location: In person or Online
- You will be matched to work with supervised student consulting teams that will help you develop real business deliverables such as pricing models, marketing plans, branding, bookkeeping systems, or operational improvements.
Here's What to Expect If You're Selected:
Duration
10 months (March to December 2026)
Structure
3 phases, in person and virtual meetings, graduation event
Capacity
30 person cohort
Program Fee
$600 to $25*
Scholarships available!
We're offering Impact Scholarships to make this program accessible! Our goal is to accelerate your path to business success and upward mobility. That's why Impact Hub Houston is covering 96% of your program fees with an Impact Scholarship. That means selected participants only pay $25 to join the program!
We believe you deserve access to world-class entrepreneurship training, regardless of your current financial situation, and we want to remove the financial barrier and help you start with resources in your pocket.
Application Window is Now Closed.
📩 Apply if you:
- Live in the Greater Houston area
- Are currently facing financial barriers or economic instability
- Want to pursue entrepreneurship and don’t know where to start
- Need help developing your business idea, revenue model, and roadmap
* If you already have a business and want support to strengthen and grow it, we’d love to connect you with resources better suited to your needs. Please apply to the Support Stack here.
📆Save These Dates:
- Apply by: Monday, February 23rd at 11:59pm
- Acceptance Notifications: Rolling through Friday, February 27
- Program Kickoff: Saturday, March 7, 2026
- Bootcamp Completion Ceremony: Saturday, April 11, 2026
- Full Program Graduation: Early December 2026
What Makes "BE" Different?
✓ Real World Support from Real Entrepreneurs ... Every Step of the Way
You'll have experienced entrepreneurs and business advisors walking -- and working -- beside you not just during the program, but for months after.
✓ Real Skills You Can -- and Will -- Use Immediately
No theory or academic fluff. You'll learn practical skills you can apply to your business idea while you're in the program.
✓ A Community That Gets It
You'll be surrounded by people who going through the process while juggling similar challenges (family responsibilities, limited time, tight budgets) and building businesses anyway.
✓ Connections That Open Doors
We'll introduce you to other business owners, mentors, and organizations across Houston who can help you access resources, customers, and opportunities.
✓ A Clear Path Forward
No more wondering "What do I do next?" You'll have a step-by-step roadmap, personalized to your specific business idea and goals.
Program Partners
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Ready to Build Equity?
Applications are now open for the Build Equity entrepreneurship program. Spots are limited. If you’re ready to get started on your idea, your growth, and your future, apply today!