Our Resources Division provides information and assistance to Austin’s certified minority and women-owned business community. The division facilitates outreach events with external partners, communicates programmatic changes, and hosts workshops, forums, and informationals on topics of interest to the minority business community. It also manages contracts with local service providers that assist with outreach activities to help increase the number of minority firms certified with the City of Austin and the availability of firms participating in City projects.

Outreach

Outreach facilitates departmental communications regarding services, key initiatives, special notices; and hosts monthly workshops on topics of interest to the minority business community.

Past workshop titles include: Certification 101, Meet the Prime, IT Opportunities, Big Projects with Opportunities. SMBR collaborates with local trade associations including Asian Contractors Association, Austin Area Black Contractors Association, US Hispanic Contractors Association and other community organizations to increase awareness of our program and other available resources.

View a list of our upcoming outreach events.


Govology

In 2021, SMBR contracted with Govology to launch an online education portal for MBE/WBE vendors at no-cost. The Govology online portal supports businesses with 24/7 resources and education by offering a mix of live webinars, on-demand trainings, government market fundamental e-courses, podcasts and digital resources.

If you are a client of SMBR or own a small business located in Travis, Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays or Williamson counties and would like to access Govology trainings at no-cost, please contact us at 512-974-7600 or email smbr.resources@austintexas.gov to request an access code.

If you would like to become a certified MBE/WBE, you may begin by visiting our Certifications Overview webpage.


Small Business Resources

Asian Contractor Association (ACA) www.acta-austin.com 512.926.5400

  • The Asian Contractor Association is a non-profit organization serving Asian businesses in the Greater Austin Metropolitan and surrounding areas. The mission of ACA is to promote Asian-Owned Enterprises and advocate for their participation in both government and private minority procurement programs through outreach, research, and collaboration with other minority trade associations in Central Texas.

Austin Area Black Contractors Association, Inc. (ABCA) www.abcatx.com 512.467.6894

  • The Austin Area Black Contractors Association, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation established to promote business and economic development opportunities for African American contractors and other small minority contractors in the Austin Metropolitan area.

U.S. Hispanic Contractors Association de Austin (USHCA) 737.708.8101

  • Our mission is to provide and support advancement for economic growth of members of the United States Hispanic Contractors Association de Austin and our regional community.  We are committed to developing programs and facilitating resources needed to assist contractors in reaching their full potential.

BiGAustin - Business Investment Growth www.bigaustin.org 512.928.8010

  • BiGAustin is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing comprehensive training services, one-one-one assistance, and loans to individuals who want to achieve self-sufficiency by starting their own small business.

City of Austin, Small Business Program (SBP) www.austinsmallbiz.com 512.974.7800

  • The mission of the Small Business Program is to foster job creation and support the growth of new and existing businesses by providing capacity building information, tools, and resources.

Business and Community Lenders of Texas ( BCL): https://bcloftexas.org/entrepreneurship  512- 912-9884

  • BCL is a non-profit economic development  firm that has focused on growing communities in Texas since 1990.  BCL’s  Entrepreneurship Program works to equip and empower small business owners with compressive training, counseling, and access to capital resources to achieve long-term success

Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI) www.egbi.org 512.926.2594

  • Economic Growth Business Incubator is a non-profit organization that extends education, training and connections directly into the underserved areas of our community in a way that is culturally relevant and delivers proven results.

PeopleFund www.peoplefund.org 888.222.0017

  • PeopleFund creates economic opportunity and financial stability for underserved people by providing access to capital, education, and resources to build healthy small businesses.

Texas State Small Business Development Center Network www.austinsmallbusinessanswers.com 512.610.0996

  • The mission of the South-West Texas Border Small Business Development Center Network is to foster small business success.

Minority Chambers
 

Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce (GAACC) www.austinasianchamber.org 512.407.8240

  • Promote the Asian American community and community at large as a catalyst for local and global economic growth through advocacy, connections, and education.

Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce (GABC) www.austinbcc.org 512.459.1181

  • The Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce promotes the development of African-American businesses and the expansion of the Greater Austin business community by providing resources, technical assistance, and leadership on policy issues that enhance economic growth and promote convention and tourism.

Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GAHCC) www.gahcc.org 512.476.7502

  • The Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's primary goal is to continue the advancement and progression of a strong and stable economic culture for Hispanic Businesses. The Chamber strives to reach these goals by developing business and management skills and bridging access to financial capital and maintaining our cultural values and integrity.

Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce https://austinlgbtchamber.com   512.761.5428

  • Established in 1997, we are Central Texas’ home for LGBT and allied businesses and organizations. We work to create and support  a vibrant and prosperous regional economy strengthened through the full participation of diverse local communities. We do this by advocating, educating, and connectingWe represent small business, corporate, and nonprofit members who share the values of promoting equality and diversity in the workplace. 

Texas Association of African American Chamber of Commerce (TAAACC)  www.taaacc.org 512.535.5610

  • To ensure that African American Business Owners receive a fair share of the economic prosperity of Texas. Serve as a catalyst for a better quality of life in African American communities throughout Texas. Support policies that allow African-Americans access to economic opportunities

Texas Association of Mexican American Chamber of Commerce (TAMACC) www.tamacc.org 512.444.5727

  • To promote the growth, development and success of its local Hispanic member chambers of commerce and to serve as the leading advocate of Hispanic businesses in Texas.