Office of Business Opportunity
Interagency Mentor Protege Program
The City of Houston, Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Houston Independent School District (HISD), Port Houston, Houston City College (HCC), and Harris Health have teamed together for the Interagency Mentor Protégé Program (IMPP). IMPP exists to strengthen effective working relationships and fosters long term stability between established companies and local agencies with emerging historically underutilized businesses. The goals of IMPP are to enhance business skills and broaden the base of historically underutilized businesses by providing the knowledge and experience of established firms.
Benefits for participating in IMPP include, but are not limited to:
- • Understanding the financial aspects of your business and bidding process
- Create and strengthen working relationships between established and emerging companies
- Understanding of how to do business with local government agencies
- Technical Assistance in specific areas for protégés
Program Requirements
- Currently hold a valid certification as a Small, Women-owned, Veteran-owned, Minority-owned or Disadvantaged Business Enterprise with any or all of the partnering agencies: City of Houston, METRO, Port Houston, or Harris Health System.
- Business has been in continuous operation for the last 24 months
- Annual business revenue average between $150,000 and $4.0 million in the past three years
- Business with a minimum of four employees
- Must be able to commit to attending nine workshops and graduation
- Camera must remain on for the duration of all virtual workshops
- Must arrive on time or within the allotted 7 minutes grace period
- Failure to meet these standards may result in removal from program
- Must be able to identify the type of guidance needed for development
- Note: You may be asked to submit documents to verify and/or add information on your application. Failure to submit the required verifying documents could result in the disqualification of your application.
Program Details
Program Length: 10 Weeks (nine workshops and graduation)
Class Time: 6:00-8:00 PM, Every Tuesday
Location: Hybrid
Applications Accepted: March 2, 2026 - March 31, 2026
Program Start Date: May 12, 2026
Participating Agencies
PLEASE NOTE: *IMPP is neither designed nor intended to meet any legal standards set by federal, state, local or other public agencies. Participation in IMPP IS NOT a guarantee of a contracting opportunity with any participating or sponsoring organization.*
Contact OBO
611 Walker Street, Seventh Floor
Houston, TX 77002
OBO Director
OBO Social Media
