By J. Jorge Anchondo, moderator for the Readiness Training Program for Historically Underutilized Businesses (RTP for HUBs)
The IC² Institute launched in late September 2021 the Readiness Training Program for Historically Underutilized Businesses (RTP for HUBs) in the Austin-Round Rock MSA. This broad-based and innovative program seeks to significantly enhance the capacity of HUB companies to bid competitively on both public and private sector procurement opportunities. Public contracting is the point of entry into the formal business world for many minority- and women-owned businesses. And governments rely extensively on such firms to provide necessary services and products.
The RTP for HUBs focuses on the main aspects of the public contracting process, Funnel 1, and more advanced business training, Funnel 2, starting in 2022. Also, the RTP will link with existing and newly launched UT-Austin training programs and classes, allowing more mature HUBs to secure appropriate technical assistance. These linkages enable UT-Austin to provide an end-to-end set of training programs for HUBs at their varying stages of growth.
Since its creation in 1988, theIC² Institute has demonstrated wealth creation through training programs locally and internationally, as well as incubation successes. IC² has partnered with the McCombs School of Business and the Bureau of Business Research in offering this training. Travis County is the RTP for HUB sponsor.