Austin, TX – The City of Austin's Small and Minority Business Resources Department (SMBR) is thrilled to announce a new partnership with the Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI). The collaboration is set to significantly enhance the support services available for the City’s small, minority and women-owned business enterprises (MBE/WBE) by focusing on crucial aspects of business growth and city procurement processes.

A New Era of Business Support and Growth

"Through this partnership, we are reinforcing our commitment to the growth and success of small, minority and women-owned businesses in Austin," said Director of SMBR Edward Campos. "Collaborating with EGBI allows us to offer a more comprehensive range of services tailored to the unique challenges our  small, minority-and -women-owned businesses face."

For more than 20 years, EGBI has provided training, coaching and support to aspiring and existing business owners who face barriers to growing a successful business.

"EGBI has always been where the community needs it, and we’re excited to partner with SMBR in this endeavor. We provide three times the average coaching hours than most business incubators - and SMBR comes with their impact. Our goal is to provide sustainable growth and success for the businesses that provide traction to our economy," said Executive Director of EGBI Larissa Davila. "We believe that through this collaboration, we can make a significant difference in the Austin business community."
Commitment to Continuous Improvement

The partnership will encompass a variety of services aimed at strengthening the business capabilities of firms:

• Orientation and Training: Firms will receive comprehensive guidance on navigating the City of Austin Finance Online website, enhancing their ability to submit bids and secure city contracts.

• Business Coaching: Expert coaching will cover an array of topics including business strategy, financial management, preparation for financing applications, and navigating city payment processes.

• Financial Operations Support: Assistance in adopting more reliable systems for tracking financial operations, including setting up and training on QuickBooks Online.

• Hands-On Assistance: Firms will learn how to effectively utilize financial reports for business management and gain insight into finding and responding to contracting opportunities.

A Step Forward in Economic Development and Social Mobility

The partnership represents a significant step in fostering business development and economic mobility in Austin. By empowering small,  minority and women-owned businesses, the City of Austin reaffirms its commitment to creating an inclusive and thriving business environment.

How to Get Involved

To receive training, coaching, and/or support from EGBI, small and minority-owned businesses will need to complete a short intake form that is available on the City’s website. Firms will then need to submit the form to SMBR’S Program Manager I Catherine Sak at Catherine.Sak@austintexas.gov or smbr@austintexas.gov.

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About SMBR
The Small and Minority Business Resources Department (SMBR) administers Minority-Owned, Women-Owned, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Procurement Programs for the City of Austin. Our mission is to promote access and equity on City of Austin contracts, providing economic opportunity to small, minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged businesses.

About EBGI
Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI) is a small business incubator or business accelerator established in 2003 in collaboration with several community entities including the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Housing Authority of the City of Austin. In 2023, EGBI was recognized as the No. 1 incubator in Central Texas by the Austin Business Journal and in 2024 the incubator received the CAN Butler Award for Spirit of Collaboration and the Candid Platinum Seal for Transparency, and Best Places to Work for Working Parents. EGBI provides business coaching to entrepreneurs in Central Texas wanting to start and/or grow a business. Up until 2024, our organization has provided over 4,200 hours of business coaching in bookkeeping, sales, marketing, business planning, online presence, government contracts and similar topics to provide traction to small business owners.