Our history
Established in 2003 by the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GAHCC), EGBI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation originally designed to meet the technology infrastructure needs of a growing number of Austin small businesses. For a number of years, EGBI has provided free technology classes to the underserved communities in Austin.
Inspired by the strong entrepreneurial spirit of the Hispanic community along with a strategic vision of James Hargrove, CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Austin, plans to implement a Small Business/Micro-Enterprise Business Incubator were executed. Pilar Sanchez served as the first chair of the board when the organization started at the same facility as the GAHCC.
EGBI’s grand opening and ribbon cutting for its permanent location was held October 20, 2008. By November 2008, EGBI celebrated the graduation of its first class. Since its inception, EE classes are consistently full with hopeful and driven clients ready to push the Austin area economy in the right direction.
EGBI TIME LINE
2003: The Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber creates the Hispanic Technology Institute of Austin (HTIA) to help conquer the digital divide for local small business
2008: HTIA opens the Emerging Enterprises Business Development Center through the partnership with the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber and the Housing Authority of the City of Austin
Development Center provides office space, training room and conference room for individuals who complete Building Success Program
HTIA graduates 5 students from its Building Success Program
Helps launch 5 new small businesses within Central Texas
2009: HTIA graduates 23 students from its Building Success Program
Helps launch 21 new small businesses within Central Texas
2010: HTIA changes its name to the Economic Growth Business Incubator (EGBI).
EGBI graduates 20 students from its Building Success Program
EGBI helps launch 18 new small businesses within Central Texas
2011: EGBI hires its first Executive Director, Al Lopez
Goals for 2011
Graduate 40 students from Building Success Program
Help create 30 new small businesses within Central Texas
Testimonials
- “...I strongly believe the program was very educational. It provided an exchange of ideas with the instructor and other students in a dynamic environment. These discussions led to a better defined business structure and market segment development...”
Moises Cases, The Cases Group, LLC - President and CEO
- “...I feel more prepared for a self-owned business because of the courses offered at the Center. I recommend the Emerging Enterprises Business Resource Center to future entrepreneurs because they commitment to an individual's success...”
Dr. Gonzales, Dentist