UBI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes entrepreneurship in Houston's underserved communities

and constituencies.  We accomplish this by offering educational and supportive programs designed to increase the knowledge and income-earning capacity of the individuals/businesses we serve.  The organization was founded in July 1996 by a group of young professionals in Houston.  These professionals wanted to get involved in helping individuals and the Houston community through the skills they used every day in their workplaces.  They created an organization called the Hope Initiative.  In April 1998, the Hope Initiative was incorporated in the State of Texas and received 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization status.  In 1999, the organization changed its name to Urban Business Initiative to better reflect its mission.  Since 1996, UBI has assisted over 5000 start-up and expanding businesses ranging from beauty salons, to restaurants, to franchises.

UBI targets micro-enterprises located in Houston's oldest communities - known as "wards."  However, UBI recognizes that the inner-city is not the only under-served constituency in Houston, and as a result, UBI also has an initiative called SEE - Senior Entrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs with Disadvantages/Disabilities in order to help viable business owners whose age or disadvantages (i.e., disabilities, medical conditions, transitional status, etc.) make them less likely to be the targets of economic development efforts.

UBI's programs make a notable impact on Houston's local economy!  A recent survey of our clients has found that 67% of our clients are still in business after 2 - 4 years.  That is nearly twice the average "success rate" of 37% documented by SBA and Dunn and Bradstreet.  That same survey revealed that our successful clients eventually go on to create an average of 6 jobs each, with one notable client - Tejas Office Supply - having over 50 employees.  The creation of inner-city jobs has a ripple effect on families, our tax base, and our communities.

Because our programs are conducted largely by young professional volunteers, UBI has also developed a reputation for being a leadership development program, exposing business students and young professionals to expand their business knowledge, experience, and network through UBI service.