Becoming certified as a woman-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, or other qualifying business can open the door to contracting opportunities, but certification is only the beginning!

Join Ascend Nonprofit & Business Solutions® (Ascend NBS®) and the South Texas Business Partnership for a free introductory training designed to help small business owners better understand the procurement process and explore how contracting opportunities may fit into their business strategy.

Participants will learn about procurement and contracting, explore common solicitation types such as Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Requests for Qualifications (RFQs), and discuss how to evaluate whether an opportunity is worth pursuing. The session will also introduce common compliance responsibilities, practical strategies for approaching procurement, and free or reduced-cost resources available to businesses.

Our goal is to help business owners move beyond certification and take their next steps with greater confidence and clarity.