2026 Mack H. Hannah, Jr. Upstart Award Section 1: Your Personal InformationName(Required) First Last Email(Required) Phone(Required)Section 2: Company DetailsCompany Name(Required)Company Address(Required) Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Year Founded (or Acquired)(Required)Is this company an Active Member of GHBC?(Required) Yes No Not yet, but interested Was this business founded or acquired?(Required) I founded this business I acquired this business I inherited this business Company Website(Required) Company FacebookCompany InstagramCompany TikTikCompany LinkedInBusiness Structure(Required) Sole Proprietor LLC S-Corporation Partnership C-Corporation Other Percentage of Business that is Black-Owned(Required) 51–60% 61–75% 76–99% 100% Please provide documentation of ownership (minority certifications, state incorporation documents) *Accepted: PDF, DOC, DOCX | Max file size: 32 MB Drop files here or Select files Max. file size: 32 MB. Section 3: Business ProfilePrimary Industry / Sector(Required) Healthcare Food & Beverage Finance & Insurance Education & Training Technology & Software Retail & E-commerce Real Estate Media & Marketing Construction & Trades Professional Services Transportation & Logistics Other Primary Market Served(Required) B2B — Other businesses B2C — Consumers Government & public entities Nonprofits & community orgs Number of Full-Time Employees(Required) Just me (sole operator) 2–5 6–15 16–50 51–100 100+ Number of Part-Time or Contract Workers(Required) None 1–5 6–15 16–50 50+ Annual Revenue RangeThis information is used for judging and aggregate reporting only. Individual figures are kept confidential. Under $100K $100K–$500K $500K–$1M $1M–$5M $5M–$25M $25M+ Geographic Reach(Required) Single neighborhood or zip code City of Houston Greater Houston metro area Statewide (Texas) Multi-state or national Does the business export products or services internationally?(Required) Yes No Not yet, but planned Has the business received outside investment or financing?(Required) No outside investment SBA Loan CDFI / Community lender Angel investor Venture capital Prefer not to say Other Do you intentionally seek out Black-owned or minority-owned vendors when making purchasing decisions?(Required) Yes, consistently Sometimes, when available We are working toward this No Section 4: Your Story & VisionThis is the heart of your application. The Upstart Award recognizes not just where you are today, but the boldness of your idea, the clarity of your vision, and the strength of your potential. Answer each question honestly and in your own voice.Describe your business — what you do, who you serve, and what problem you are solving.(Required)Please provide the business's mission statement.(Required)Please submit a business summary including annual revenues.(Required)Certified documentation (tax returns, CPA-signed financial statement) is recommended. Accepted: PDF, DOC, DOCX | Max: 32 MB Drop files here or Select files Max. file size: 32 MB. What inspired you to start this business?(Required)Tell us the origin story. What moment, experience, or conviction led you to launch? Maximum 250 words recommended.What makes your business innovative?(Required)Describe what sets your approach, product, or service apart. This could be your technology, your model, your market, or simply a fresh way of solving an old problem. Maximum 250 words recommended.Where do you see this business in 3 to 5 years?(Required)Paint a picture of your vision. Think about growth, impact, reach, and what success looks like to you. Maximum 250 words recommended.What has been your most significant accomplishment since launching?(Required)This could be a first customer, a partnership, a milestone, a moment of validation — anything that signals your business is on the right path. Maximum 250 words recommended.What challenges have you faced in getting started, and how have you met them?(Required)Early-stage businesses face unique obstacles. Share what you have overcome and what it taught you. Maximum 250 words recommended.What is the key to your early success, and what will carry you forward?(Required)Maximum 250 words recommended.What is unique about your organization that makes it deserving of the Mack H. Hannah, Jr. Upstart Award?(Required)Maximum 500 words recommended.How is your business helping to build Black wealth in the Greater Houston community?(Required)Consider employment, supplier relationships, mentorship, reinvestment in the community, generational business ownership, or other contributions to long-term economic empowerment. Maximum 250 words recommended.Please upload any supporting documentation you would like the committee to consider.May include letters of commendation, press clippings, financial reports, marketing materials. Note: all submitted materials become the property of GHBC and will not be returned. If files are too large to attach, email to pinnacle@ghbcc.com. Accepted: PDF, DOC, DOCX | Max: 25 MB Drop files here or Select files Max. file size: 32 MB. Section 5: Leadership, People & RecognitionHow many years has the owner / founder been in business overall?(Required)Include any prior ventures, freelance work, or businesses before this one. This is my first business 2–5 years total 6–10 years total 10+ years total Has the business or its founder(s) received any awards, press coverage, or notable recognition since launching?Include pitch competition wins, certifications, media features, community recognition, etc. Please upload a one-page biography for each founder of the company. Drop files here or Select files Max. file size: 32 MB. Please upload your company logo.Accepted: PNG, JPG, PDF | Max: 32 MBMax. file size: 32 MB. Section 6: Community & GHBC AlignmentIn your opinion, what can be done to encourage the growth of Black business ownership?(Required)What is one barrier you have faced as an early-stage business — in accessing capital, contracts, or resources — and what would have helped? How can the Chamber, as an advocate, assist your business?(Required)What professional development or business resources would benefit you most?(Required)Select all that apply. Access to Capital Marketing & Branding Support Mentorship & Peer Networks Workforce Development Contract & Procurement Opportunities Legal & accounting resources Technology & digital tools International trade / export How did you hear about the Mack H. Hannah, Jr. Upstart Award?(Required)Select all that apply. GHBC Email or Newsletter A Colleague or Referral GHBC Member or Staff Press or Media Social Media GHBC Event Section 7: Gala Guest ContactsPlease list three contacts from community organizations or other Houston-area Black businesses. We would like to inform them of your nomination and invite them to attend the Pinnacle Awards Gala.Contact 1 First Last CompanyEmail Contact 2 First Last CompanyEmail Contact 3 First Last CompanyEmail Terms & ConditionsMack H. Hannah, Jr. Upstart Award — Terms & ConditionsThe Mack H. Hannah, Jr. Upstart Award, presented by the Greater Houston Black Chamber of Commerce (GHBC), honors a Black-owned business that is under two (2) years old and demonstrating exceptional innovation, vision, and potential for long-term success. To be eligible, the business must be at least 51% Black-owned, for-profit, and headquartered within the Greater Houston Metropolitan Area. While GHBC membership is not required to apply, it is strongly encouraged. If selected as a finalist, the business is required to become a member in order to remain eligible for the award. Applicants must complete the official application form in full and submit all requested materials to pinnacle@ghbcc.com by the stated deadline. The Selection Committee, composed of independent reviewers, will evaluate submissions based on innovation, vision, business potential, leadership, and community impact. GHBC reserves the right to withdraw any application found to contain incomplete or inaccurate information. Finalists must be available to attend the Pinnacle Awards Gala. Selected awardees agree to allow GHBC to feature their business in press releases, marketing, and promotional content. All submitted materials become the property of GHBC and will not be returned. I have read and agree to the terms and conditions above, and I certify that all information provided in this application is accurate and complete. Δ
