Texas Business Hall of Fame

Texas Business Hall of Fame The Texas Business Hall of Fame recognizes and honor business leaders with transformational impact in the state.

It supports entrepreneurial business students and early stage entrepreneurs around the state of Texas.

08/20/2026

Introducing Tyler Hubbard, the 2026 recipient of the inaugural Greg Arnold Entrepreneurship Legend Award from Stephen F. Austin State University.

Tyler is the Founder and CEO of Kadi, a Nacogdoches startup he co-founded with his brother, Carter. Kadi’s flagship product, the Kadi Kore, automates pool water testing and chlorine dispensing while delivering real-time chemistry readings to homeowners’ phones. Tyler developed the concept while working a pool route by hand, then turned the idea into a business after a professor at Stephen F. Austin State University encouraged him to pitch it. His presentation won the Lumberjack Entrepreneurship Award, providing the momentum to develop Kadi’s first prototypes. Tyler’s entrepreneurial drive began as a teenager, and he later founded American Native Hat Co. A former Division I baseball player, Tyler earned his BBA in Entrepreneurship from Stephen F. Austin State University.

Please join TBHF in celebrating Tyler and the other award recipients at the 2026 Awards Luncheon on November 12, sponsored by Bank of Texas.

**Calling all DFW-area TBHF Alumni and Directors**Join the TBHF Alumni Association for an impactful discussion with John...
08/19/2026

**Calling all DFW-area TBHF Alumni and Directors**

Join the TBHF Alumni Association for an impactful discussion with John Merris, moderated by Alumni City Chair Zach Carrell. John specializes in scaling the entrepreneurial potential of businesses and is the former CEO of Solo Brands (Chubbies and Solo Stove).

He has demonstrated again and again that growth isn't just about increasing revenue or preparing for an exit; it's about building organizations that create lasting value for customers, employees, and communities. This conversation will focus on creating, managing and sustaining future growth in any industry. You won't want to miss hearing John's unique perspectives.

Thank you to our hosts Greenberg Traurig for welcoming TBHF to your new office in Dallas' Uptown.

08/18/2026

This week, we continue the introduction of our 2026 Future Texas Business Legend Award Recipients, starting with Isabella Mixon, recipient of the T.T. & W.F. Chao Award from the University of Houston.

Isabella is the founder of Isa Matcha, a Houston-based matcha concept redefining the café experience through community, creativity, and exceptional customer engagement. While studying Entrepreneurship in the Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Houston, she transformed Isa from a student-run pop-up into one of Houston's fastest-growing emerging beverage brands, generating more than $40,000 in monthly revenue while operating only a few days each week. Through strategic partnerships, innovative social media marketing, and an unwavering commitment to quality, Isabella has cultivated a loyal customer following and established isa as a standout brand in Houston's competitive food and beverage industry. She is currently completing her bachelor's degree at the University of Houston.

Please join TBHF in celebrating Isabella and the other award recipients at the 2026 Awards Luncheon on November 12, sponsored by Bank of Texas.

If you’ve seen their videos throughout the summer and heard their stories, then you already know that the 2026 TBHF Futu...
08/14/2026

If you’ve seen their videos throughout the summer and heard their stories, then you already know that the 2026 TBHF Future Texas Business Legend award recipients aren’t just preparing to build Texas’ economy—they’re already impacting it in a BIG way!

This year’s 23 Scholar Award Recipients represent a remarkable cohort of entrepreneurs from colleges and universities across the state:

👥 391 full-time jobs created
💰 $117 million in projected 2026 revenue
🏭 15+ industries represented, including fast-growing Texas sectors tech/AI, manufacturing/ logistics, healthcare/biotech, and finance.
📍 Founders are building businesses across Houston, Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, Waco and West Texas

We’re proud to invest in the student leaders who are creating companies, jobs and opportunities that will help shape the Texas economy for years to come.

🗓️ Stay tuned for details about our 2026 Veteran Awardees' impact, as well as the companies started by our high school award recipients.

08/13/2026

Our last featured award recipient this week is Vincent Pham, the 2026 recipient of The Carlos & Malú Alvarez Award from The University of Texas at San Antonio.

Vincent is the Co-Founder and CEO of Powerhouse Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing next-generation engineered cell therapies for treatment-resistant solid tumors. Founded in 2024 as a spinout from UT Health San Antonio, the company grew from Vincent’s doctoral research in cancer immunotherapy and is advancing its lead therapeutic candidate, PH102, toward clinical trials. Under Vincent’s leadership, Powerhouse Therapeutics has assembled a multidisciplinary team of more than 20 scientists, clinicians, regulatory experts, and advisors; secured an exclusive technology license from UT Health San Antonio; filed additional U.S. patents; and closed a $100,000 pre-seed financing round. The company is now pursuing a $5 million institutional seed round and developing partnerships to advance IND-enabling studies and future clinical trials. Beyond Powerhouse, Vincent contributes to the growth of Texas’ biotechnology ecosystem through Nucleate Texas, mentoring emerging founders and connecting scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors.

Please join TBHF in celebrating Vincent and the other award recipients at the 2026 Awards Luncheon on November 12, sponsored by Bank of Texas.

08/12/2026

Next, let us introduce D'vonne Hmielewski, the 2026 recipient of The Harvey Najim Future Texas Business Legend Award from The University of Texas at San Antonio.

D’vonne is the founder and owner of D&M Window Washing, a Texas-based service company he launched in high school and grew into a sustainable business while balancing academics and leadership responsibilities. What began with knocking on doors and cleaning windows became a hands-on education in sales, pricing, employee management, customer service, and business operations. Through D&M, D’vonne has developed practical expertise in building systems, solving problems, and earning customer trust while creating a foundation for long-term growth. D’vonne is currently studying Computer Science, Economics, and Mathematics at The University of Texas at San Antonio, where he also serves as President of Phi Gamma Delta. A Terry Scholar, he combines entrepreneurial drive with a commitment to leadership and service.

Please join TBHF in celebrating D'vonne and the other award recipients at the 2026 Awards Luncheon on November 12, sponsored by Bank of Texas.

08/11/2026

We are kicking off our award recipient introductions this week with Abraham Haro, the 2026 recipient of the James and Kathleen Collins & Vantage Bank Texas Future Business Legend Award from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Abraham Haro is an entrepreneur and founder of Outlet De Haro LLC, a Texas-based business providing affordable tools and equipment to contractors, small businesses, and skilled tradespeople. Built on a circular economy model, the company recovers, repairs, and redistributes professional equipment that might otherwise be discarded, extending product lifecycles while creating greater access to essential tools for working professionals. Inspired by his father, a carpenter whose dedication to his craft shaped Abraham’s work ethic, he is committed to building businesses that create opportunity and solve practical challenges. Abraham actively engages with the Texas business community through organizations including the Chamber of Commerce, Texas Workforce Commission, National Retail Federation, and 1 Million Cups. His work reflects a commitment to entrepreneurship, skilled trades, and economic opportunity.

Please join TBHF in celebrating Abraham and the other award recipients at the 2026 Awards Luncheon on November 12, sponsored by Bank of Texas.

08/06/2026

Finally this week, join us in congratulating Joshua “Josh” Call, recipient of The Mitchell Family Foundation Award from The University of Texas at Dallas.

Josh is the founder of Skyline MTG, an e-commerce trading card business recognized for its operational excellence and customer service. In less than a year, the company has fulfilled more than 10,000 orders, maintained a 100% positive customer feedback rating, and expanded its inventory to more than 150,000 cards. Josh first established himself by growing a YouTube channel to more than 3 million subscribers, generating over 470 million views and $1.6 million in revenue through strategic content development, audience engagement, and brand growth. He is currently pursuing a BBA at The University of Texas at Dallas while continuing to build scalable businesses that deliver lasting customer value.

Please join TBHF in celebrating Josh and the other award recipients at the 2026 Awards Luncheon on November 12, sponsored by Bank of Texas.

08/05/2026

Introducing Bryant "Griff" Griffith, the 2026 recipient of The Mitchell Family Foundation Award from The University of Texas at Arlington.

Griff is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, entrepreneur, and Executive MBA candidate at The University of Texas at Arlington. He re-founded PBG Consolidated, transforming his family's legacy enterprise into a modern holding company that provides strategic oversight for a growing portfolio of businesses, including JAWS – Junk and Waste Solutions, ROKAN Construction, and Pyrtko Properties. Through JAWS, Bryant has built a business model that combines operational excellence with community stewardship, generating significant charitable contributions, recycling hundreds of tons of material, and delivering meaningful value to customers. In addition to leading his family's enterprises, Bryant oversees workforce development initiatives at Kinley Construction. His commitment to public service includes serving as Chair of the Veterans Business Council at the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce and board leadership with several nonprofit organizations dedicated to veterans and community impact.

Please join TBHF in celebrating Griff and the other award recipients at the 2026 Awards Luncheon on November 12, sponsored by Bank of Texas.

08/04/2026

This week, we are excited to introduce Stephen Herrera, recipient of the The Morton H. Meyerson Future Texas Business Legend Award from The University of Texas at Austin.

Stephen is the Co-Founder and CEO of Pinpoint Irrigation, a technology startup developing smart irrigation solutions to improve water conservation and infrastructure resilience. Under his leadership, the company was named a finalist in the 2026 SXSW Pitch Competition and selected to join the Austin Technology Incubator, recognizing its potential to advance innovation in agricultural and urban water management. Before launching Pinpoint Irrigation, Stephen worked as a Corporate and Investment Banking Analyst with Regions Bank. He also co-founded UT Austin's first Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) Club, serving as Vice President of Finance and helping grow the organization to more than 100 members in its inaugural year. Stephen holds a BS in Industrial Engineering with a minor in Finance from Auburn University and is pursuing his MBA at The University of Texas at Austin's McCombs School of Business.

Please join TBHF in celebrating Cole and the other award recipients at the 2026 Awards Luncheon on November 12, sponsored by Bank of Texas.

Address

PO Box 22048
Houston, TX
77027

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+17139601820

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