Empowering Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Texas
Office of the Governor: Texas Economic Development & Tourism
Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office (EDT), within the Office of the Governor, is tasked with marketing and promoting the state of Texas as a premier business location and travel destination. Under Governor Abbott’s leadership, the office works closely with regional and community partners to ensure that Texas remains a top state for business in the United States.
Empowering & Expanding Small Business in Texas
To catalyze economic growth, EDT desired a richer understanding of the entrepreneurial, startup, and technology and innovation landscape in Texas.
In 2018, they engaged TPMA to launch a robust entreprenuerial ecoystem study as part of their ongoing efforts to empower and expand Texas small businesses.
Advanced Research & Stakeholder Engagement
TPMA led a detailed cataloging and impact measurement of entrepreneurial and startup resources in the state of Texas. Our team updated the statewide directory and database of resource providers, identified investments tied to those resources and the businesses served, measured economic impact on the state, surveyed more than 3000 investors, startups, and resource providers, interviewed key stakeholders, completed a national benchmarking and best practices analysis, and completed a final study of the data findings. Based on what we learned, TPMA developed recommendations to better leverage and support investment in Texas entrepreneurial ecosystems including:
- Simplifying policies and processes
- Connecting research and reality
- Evaluating effectiveness
- Strengthening existing industries and hubs
- Facilitating connectivity, and
- Reinvesting in the state
Building on the Momentum
Following the ecosystem study, TPMA was later commissioned to study the challenges and opportunities of developing small businesses in Rural Texas.
Our team conducted statewide research in rural communities and uncovered unique challenges of small and historically underutilized businesses. We developed a business resource portal to provide effective education, training, management, and technical assistance related to establishing, operating, and expanding small businesses in Texas. The portal provided entrepreneurs and small business owners with a customized experience and access to an extensive listing of public and private resources within their region.
