Pearland, Texas, a bustling city outside of Houston, was recently listed as the No. 3 Best Place to Live in the U.S., according to the U.S. News & World Report 2025-2026 ranking. This thriving community continues to grow and attract attention thanks to its strong commitment to supporting local businesses and fostering economic activity.
One initiative driving this effort is Pearland Innovation Hub, which launched in 2022 to help the growth of local businesses and entrepreneurs. The program is part of Pearland’s Prosperity Plan, an economic development strategy to continue making the city a more prosperous and vibrant place to live and work.
Pearland Innovation Hub Navigator Tania Monroy, who is connecting local entrepreneurs and small businesses to resources in Pearland, is particularly proud of the program’s progress.
“What started as a committee in 2019 to investigate the need for entrepreneurial assistance programs in Pearland has grown into a hub that provides entrepreneurs and startups with resources to start, scale and succeed,” Monroy said.
Two new initiatives launched by PIH in 2026 — 1 Million Cups and the Small Business Success Series — are expected to further this progress.
The nationwide 1 Million Cups program was started in 2012 by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to provide an inclusive space for budding entrepreneurs and help them tackle business challenges. Monroy said since there wasn't yet a branch in Houston, it was a great opportunity to bring the program to Pearland.
This tool enables people to create a business idea, present it for five minutes and welcome the community to ask them questions and engage with them to learn more in a casual environment.
“This program allows entrepreneurs to be in a safe space to present their story to the community in a way that doesn’t feel like a business pitch,” Monroy said.
The Small Business Success Series is a five-week course that is the result of collaboration between Houston City College and PIH to help business owners build their entrepreneurial skills. Monroy said, so far, 19 Pearland business owners are attending, and she is looking forward to seeing how this program can help ensure success.
“A lot of people jump into a business and say, ‘Let's just see what happens,’ with no plans or anything,” she said. “This cohort is a good starting point and helps us provide our community members with another free resource.”
Monroy added that this is the first of many, and the next series will start in March.
One PIH member, Marilyn Segundo, owner of Yellow Apron Baking Co., started attending the hub's in-person events, such as Morning Brew Connections and Entrepreneur Insights, after meeting the PIH navigator in 2024. This helped her connect with the Pearland business community, providing her with keen insight into entrepreneurship.
After getting out of her comfort zone and entering a pitch competition in 2025, she not only boosted her confidence to pursue her bakery dreams but also “put more eyes on her business,” Segundo said.
“Hearing from small-business owners who have already walked the path I’m currently on is not only educational, but incredibly inspiring,” she said. “It’s a reminder that with hard work and the right support system in place, everything is possible.”
Another success story is Noe Montoya from Quick Snap Events, which provides photo booth services for weddings, corporate events and private parties.
Montoya has been a part of the hub for the past year and finds value in connecting and exchanging ideas with other local entrepreneurs, attending workshops, and utilizing the technical assistance program that helps small businesses scale.
“The hub has helped me strengthen the foundation of both my companies — Quick Snap Mart and Quick Snap Events,” he said. “The networking, education and mentorship opportunities have directly supported our growth and visibility within the Pearland community.”
Monroy said PIH aims to continue collaborating with various organizations and colleges, such as HCC, while becoming an even greater resource that people can rely on for much-needed community support.
“What I would love to see more of when people in our area have a small-business idea is think, ‘Oh, let me give Pearland Innovation Hub a call,’” she said. “We want the community to know they can call PIH to get help or resources for their businesses.”
Pearland Innovation Hub is supported by the Pearland Economic Development Corp. in partnership with the Pearland Chamber of Commerce.