Engineering Entrepreneurs
Turning Ideas Into New Products and Services
           
Wednesday, November 14  
8:30 am - 12:00 pm
       
This seminar is not just for "engineers".  It is about engineering (as a verb - i.e. "developing") the skills of entrepreneurs of all kinds. For entrepreneurs, engineering students, practicing engineers and small business owners pursuing product development.  Come join Houston Community College and our partners as we "engineer entrepreneurs" and empower you to turn your ideas into new products and services.
Featured Topics
       
Engineering Entrepreneurs: Turning Ideas Into New Products & Services

John Vasselli, Dean of the HCC Center of Excellence in Engineering, will cover key elements of a proven engineering  product/services "design process" applicable to one-person company entrepreneurs as well as individuals working in large corporations.
  • Idea Creation - How does it happen?
  • Market Assessment - What is your unique advantage?
  • Technology Assessment - How will your product or service work?
  • Product Development - How do you go from a "prototype" to a "product"?
  • Protecting Your Intellectual Property - to patent or not to patent?
  • Commercialization Strategies - license, partner, or sell directly?
How to Obtain a Strong Patent - Navigating the U.S. Patenting Process -  Protect Your Invention! 

Join us as an Intellectual Property attorney  shares with you what is required to obtain a U.S. patent .  She will also discuss methods you can implement to make sure your patent is strong, how it can be defended if the situation arises, and the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office's pro bono patent program  available to qualified inventors.
Pitching Your Idea - Tips & Techniques
Round Table Pitch Practice Excercises

Tips & techniques for effective presentation & communication skills:  See others pitch their ideas.  Practice communicating your great idea with key compelling statements. Get feedback and encouragement from table facilitators and your peers.
Featured Speakers
       
John Vasselli
Entrepreneur, Dean, HCC Engineering Center of Excellence,possesses over forty years of engineering experience ranging from the Federal research environment, through large corporations, to starting and owning his own engineering businesses.
Usha Menon, Managing Attorney, D'Ambrosio & Menon, PLLC,  Usha Menon is a registered patent attorney in the Houston area. She is the Managing Attorney at D'Ambrosio & Menon, PLLC a boutique intellectual property law firm. Usha has over 13 years of experience in the patent law field representing individual entrepreneurs, small corporations, large publicly held corporations and venture capitalists. 
Guest Entrepreneur: Aziz Hikem, Founder, CEO, Hiketron,  Aziz Hikem  has degrees in chemistry, chemical engineering, an MBA, over 20 years' experience and multiple patents in the chemical business. Mr. Hikem first came to HCC last November to our Engineering Entrepreneurs workshop. He had an idea: to develop household cleaning products and a "laundry detergent hub" to revolutionize the way people do laundry. 

He went through our HCC business plan class, several workshops, won a prized slot in the 2018 competition and placed as a finalist!  Mr. Hikem has also begun manufacturing, production and online sales of his new detergent and secured a patent for the Hiketron Detergent Hub with product design completion scheduled for Q2 2019.

Featured Resource Providers 
       

Fee:   $25.00 on line, $35.00 at door.  
Includes Refreshments and Snacks!

This event is offered at this reduced cost to the Houston area,thanks to our Center for Entrepreneurship Partners and Sponsors

Veterans: FREE for first 10 Veterans one week prior to event, thanks to Capital One Bank. (Code: VETS)

Also FREE for HCC College Credit Students, Faculty, Staff and Alumni.  (Code: HCCS)

Join us for learning, inspiration, support, connections and small business  empowerment!

Sincerely,

Sandra Louvier

Director 
Center for Entrepreneurship
Houston Community College - Northwest
Take a Look at the Reviews for our Last Financial Workshop!   

Financial Workshop for Small Business Launch and Growth - HCC Alief Hayes 11/01/18.  

Featuring presenter Rebecca Schultz for an all day workshop that prepares these entrepreneurs to know the numbers important to seek funding for launch, one-year in business analysis and planning for future growth numbers beyond that. 

Financial Panelists included L to R:  Jessica Tecson, Amegy Bank, Sheila Patterson, Wallis State Bank, Anthony Lopez, LiftFund and Dennis Silva, TDECU. Photos

Surveys Said:
  • Rebecca was Excellent! 
  • "It was great! Interactivity was the greatest value. Rebecca was fabulous about simplifying the complex."
  • "The authenticity of the panel was not only helpful and informative but practical in preparation."
  • "I valued all the information. Will be working on my business plan and will apply for the competition." 
  • "Overall great simple atmosphere and overview to help fill gaps in our financial goals and intentions."
  • "Every speaker was extremely thorough."
  • "The presenter and panelists are real people with real answers. I will use their suggestions on most topics."
  • "Loved everything! Excellent!!"
  • "I liked hearing from the panelists about what pitfalls to avoid."  
  • "The group interaction and case study examples were very valuable. Very happy I came to the workshop." 
  • "Worksheets were very helpful.  Learned more about different sources of capital. Cash flow sheet and balance sheet info is very helpful." 
  • "I loved the workshop. Informative and powerful! Excellent program and team!"


Missed it? Another one is scheduled for Dec 13!
Congratulations to the 2018 
Liftoff Houston Startup Competition Winners!  
 
Social Bevy, The Block of Greater Houston and Olympus Watches

HCC was honored to collaborate with the Mayor's Office of Business Opportunity and Houston Public Libraries to design and deliver the Pitch Training sessions in this competition.  Our Center for Entrepreneurship Directors also served as judges in reviewing submitted business plans.  Sandra Louvier from HCC NW also served as a judge in the competition finals this past Saturday November 2. 

We congratulate all Liftoff contestants on the work they've done on their plans this year and we encourage those who want to put some more work in on their plans and business assumptions to prepare to take a run at our 2019 HCC Business Plan Competition! 
2019 HCC Business Plan Competition Coming Soon! 

For Proposed, Startup and Existing Entrepreneurs!






More ENews Coming Soon  About the 
2019 HCC Business Plan Competition.
Prepare Now to Apply in January! 
Scroll up on side bar here for more on this. ====>
Location
HCC Alief Hayes
(3rd Floor, Room A319/A320)
2811 Hayes Road,
Houston, TX 77082
   
Registration & Check-In 
8:00 am - 8:30 am
 
Program 
8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Contact

            

Sandra Louvier

c4e@hccs.edu 

713-718-6650 
About the Center for Entrepreneurship
     
The mission of Houston Community College's Center for Entrepreneurship is to provide education and training for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Our mission fosters economic growth through business and community development.  
 
More Upcoming 
at HCC NW 
Direct Steps To Funding Your Business in 2019! 

1) Workshop

Next Workshop-Dec 13

2) Quick Online Class* 


Next Class-Starts Nov 14

* Existing Entrepreneurs can skip step 2.

3) Free Mentoring & Training, Chance to Refine & Polish Your Plan and Win Prize Money!

2019 HCC Business Plan Competition (BPC) Timeline 
  • Apply: 1/1-1/30
  • Accepted Teams Notified: 2/15  
  • Five Free Group Training Sessions Tuesday Evenings: 2/26, 3/5, 3/19, 4/2, & 4/16.  
  • Plans Due:  5/8 
  • Finalists Present to Judges:  5/23 
  • Prize Money Awarded:  5/29
About the BPC:

The annual HCC BPC is an opportunity for proposed, startup and existing entrepreneurs to develop focused plans to start or grow their businesses through free mentoring and training in the competition.

The 2019 HCC BPC is for entrepreneurs who want to start or grow businesses throughout the greater Houston-Galveston Metropolitan area. 

The free mentoring and training from February through May is valued at $250,000.  In all, the 2018 competition delivered seed money and in-kind support and resources valued at $384,000, shattering all past records! 

Competition Training in 2019 will be held at our HCC Alief Hayes Campus and the BPC Awards Ceremony will be held in the Grand Ballroom of our newly opened West Houston Institute at HCC Alief Hayes! 

Scroll down for more about past winners.  More news about the 2019 BPC coming soon! 
Creating a Successful Business Plan - Online Class

Proposed and Startup entrepreneurs are required to take this 6-week online class prior to the competition.

This class takes 24 hours of your time online over 6 weeks.  Next class starts November 14.  Or choose the class that starts December 12. Sign up in less than 3 minutes!
 
Financial Workshop for Small Business Launch & Growth - Pathway to Seed Money 


Thursday December 13  
8:30 am - 4:30 pm,
HCC Alief Hayes, A319
 
This workshop is required for all who want to apply for the free training and mentoring in the 2019 HCC Business Plan Competition.  

This workshop prepares you for the "why, how and what's next" when it comes to understanding your past, knowing where you stand now and what you need to do to analyze and estimate the numbers you and your investors/lenders need to know to back you and propel you to sustainable success.  Use this day to change your future!

We encourage you to attend on Dec 13, but if you cannot, the workshop will also be offered on a weekday and a weekend in January. 

More Upcoming Events Around HCC
Small Business Lender/Borrower Matchmaking - November 7 - HCC West Loop Campus

Register to meet with local lenders to pitch your small business finance needs.  Representatives from banks and credit unions will be on hand to meet with existing and start-up business owners to discuss funding options.
Bring To The Event if available:  Financial Information and  Business Plan. 

Quickbooks Workshop  November 13 - HCC Southeast, Workforce Building - 3rd Floor 

In this workshop, you will learn:  How to track income and expenses;  How to prepare invoices and track payments;  How you can pay employees and file payroll taxes;  How you can keep track of inventories, production costs; and  How you can keep track of costs as a contractor and bill your clients. 

Building Wealth Through Single Family House Investing - November 16 - HCC Brays Oak Campus

Single family home investors are in the unique position to buy, fix, hold, rent and participate in the appreciation of property value.  Investing in single family homes is one of the best ways to accomplish your dream of building wealth.T his workshop will show you how to:   Identify and simplify the process of investing in real estate;    Estimate the cost, purchase price, repair costs, vacancies, average rent.
;Maximize returns with minimal efforts; and  Avoid some common mistakes
 
More Great Recent Events & Photos!

The Entrepreneur In You Workshop - Personality Inventory - HCC Alief Hayes  -
 10/17 -  Photos
Home-Based Business Seminar & Panel - HCC Alief Hayes Campus 10/25/18

Featuring Jimmy Adams, Dean, Center of Excellence in Media Arts & Technology and Dr. Mo Tehrani      Photos

Home Based Entrepreneur 
Panelists - R to L:  
Erik Calderon, Carol Lazard, 
Lee Garcia and Susan Marriott. 
We Grow Entrepreneurs!