In the culmination of the City of Houston’s 11th Annual Liftoff Houston Startup Business Plan Competition, three standout entrepreneurs emerged victorious, each receiving a $10,000 seed fund for their innovative ventures. The competition, which featured nine finalists chosen from over 100 applicants, hosted its Pitch Day on November 18, 2023, with categories spanning Service, Product, and Innovation.

The 2023 winners include Teria Johnson of Charleston Kitchen, specializing in sweet and savory pies inspired by Gullah Geechee culture, Zoey Barker and Mohammadmehdi Mortazavi of ExoBraced with their non-powered exoskeleton ExoBak, and Giovanni Garza of Classic Borrego Retail, dedicated to crafting high-quality artisanal cowboy boots.

Runners-up, Francesca Bonaduce De Nigris, Diana Tudela, Hailee Trombley, and Diane Nguyen, received $500 each for their compelling business ideas ranging from handmade rugs to innovative pet aftercare and a dynamic virtual platform for health professionals.

The competition also allowed public participation, either in person or through live broadcasts, with the community casting votes for their Fan Favorites. Classic Borrego, The Goodest Goodbye, and Flourishing Nexus secured the most votes, earning each a Fan Favorite title and a $500 cash prize.

Mayor Sylvester Turner emphasized the program's impact on historically marginalized populations, citing statistics that highlight the diverse backgrounds of participants. The Liftoff Houston judges, representing various organizations, played a crucial role in evaluating the contestants.

“The program is especially significant as data collected from recent competitions shows Liftoff Houston made an impact on populations that have been historically marginalized.” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “More than 90% of participants identified as people of color, more than 70% were female, 44% had no college degree, and 54% earned less than $50,000 a year.”

Sponsored by Capital One Bank and administered by the Houston Public Library (HPL) and the Office of Business Opportunity (OBO), Liftoff Houston has distributed over $330,000 in prizes since its inception. Over the 11 years, 33 winners have successfully launched businesses in diverse sectors.

The entrepreneurs underwent an extensive four-month program involving workshops, mentoring sessions, and the submission of comprehensive business plans. They leveraged resources from the Houston Public Library and the Office of Business Opportunity, contributing to the competition's success in fostering entrepreneurship and business education in the community.