Opportunity U & Training Events

CHARTING A COURSE
IN INCLUSIVE
SOURCING & GROWTH

The Port Houston Inclusive Sourcing team has the knowledge, skills, and resources to help your Small, Minority, and/or Women-Owned Business Enterprises succeed. We offer multiple pathways for your business to obtain the necessary tools to compete for procurements and grow your business.

Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Apply to the next cohort starting August 28, 2025 – October 30, 2025 or you can also reach out to our team today at 713-670-2673.

Opportunity U

Opportunity U is a comprehensive training program designed to support and assist local S/MWBE vendors. This initiative helps position these businesses to better compete for and participate in Port Houston procurements, potentially grow to become preferred contractors, and leverage other opportunities outside of Port Houston.

Benefits:

  • Develop sound business fundamentals
  • Position businesses to learn about and bid on government contracts
  • Strengthen ability to secure access to capital
  • Allow businesses to meet key decision makers at Port Houston
  • Receive mentoring from experienced professionals

Program Topics:

  • Business Building Blocks / Financial Acumen
  • Bayport Container Terminal Tour
  • Cohort Graduation
  • Networking Boat Tour
  • Project and Construction Management
  • Safety and Risk Management / Cooperatives & Joint Ventures Legal & Operations
  • Project Scopes and Projections / Capability Statements
  • Central Maintenance & Environmental Affairs
  • Procurement Team / Pricing Your Project
  • Responding to the RFP and Submitting a Sample Proposal

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicant must be the primary owner, or co-owner, and key decision maker of a business that meets the following criteria:

  • S/MWBE certified and enrolled with Port Houston’s Inclusive Sourcing Program
  • In business for a minimum of two years
  • Possesses the potential and desire to grow and do business with the Port
  • Commitment to attend all of Port Houston training sessions

Application Process:

Cohort 8: August 28, 2025 – October 30, 2025.

Please note: Opportunity U is specialized training exclusively available to S/MWBEs actively enrolled in Port Houston’s Inclusive Sourcing Program. However, enrolling in the Inclusive Sourcing Program does not guarantee automatic placement into Opportunity U. We’re continuously accepting applications for our upcoming cohorts, apply today!

 

Apply to Opportunity U

 

Other Training Events

Port Houston conducts monthly training events and workshops to help contractors, professional service providers, vendors, and suppliers familiarize themselves with our Inclusive Sourcing Program.

All businesses are encouraged to attend sessions to better understand how to register, obtain certifications, and participate in the program. These training events also provide a unique opportunity for businesses to learn, network, and exchange contact information for future collaborative opportunities. Head to our Inclusive Sourcing Compliance System to see our full training event list.

Interested in learning about our Facilities Inspection and Condition Assessment Program?

Learn More

What Opportunity U Graduates Are Saying

“I know I speak for many of the graduates as I express how grateful I am for the knowledge and connections I’ve gained. This program has been instrumental in preparing me to compete for contracts and grow my business, and I am excited to embark on this new journey, as I prepare to bid on new contracts, to work with Port Houston and beyond.”

Kame Byrd

Operations Manager, Marathon Trucking & Logistics L.L.C.

“Opportunity U opened my eyes to new possibilities I hadn’t considered before. It gave me the tools, connections, and confidence to grow both personally and professionally It’s been an eye-opener of what all we can accomplish with the wonderful program with Port Houston.”

 

Jocelynn Ferretiz

Business Development Manager, Gulf Coast Rebar

“Throughout the program, we learned how to develop business fundamentals, understand government contracts and bidding processes, and how to become more bankable. The program gave us the opportunity to network with Port Houston decision-makers and receive mentorship from experienced professionals. Our goal is to become a Prime — a company that secures and manages large-scale contracts — in the next few years and provide other S/MWBEs with the same support we received from the Port. The partnership and friendship we formed with Port Houston’s staff, peer S/MWBEs, and primes will continue to cultivate.”

Michael Zhang

CEO, Environeer