Houston is one of the fastest-growing, most diverse cities in the country, and that shows up in its small businesses too! On November 10, Hello Alice is bringing Main Street Rising to The Ion, the city’s own home base for builders, to put a straight question in front of the room: what can AI actually do for your business this quarter?

Not a keynote. Not a slide deck. A room full of Houston owners running every kind of business you can think of, working through the same question from different angles, and a handful of them pitching live for a share of $1,000.

Hello Alice has spent years matching small business owners to the resources that actually move their business, grants, guidance, and now AI support built on what 1.6 million owners have already taught the platform. November 10 is that same idea, in person, at The Ion. Free to attend. Own your adventure, and own the room.

What you’ll walk away with

• AI moves you can use Monday, not someday. Concrete, practical answers for a business your size, not an enterprise pitch.
• A city’s worth of perspective in one room. Houston’s range means the founder next to you is probably solving a problem you haven’t hit yet, or already solved one you’re stuck on.
• Direct access, not a webinar. You’re in the room at The Ion, asking the question, not watching it from a feed.
• A live look at what’s possible. Watch a Houston founder pitch for $1,000 and leave with a reason to build your own case for next time.

Registration closes on Monday, November 9, 2026.

Interested in applying for the pitch competition too? Click here to apply (Must register as well)

*Must attend in person to participate in the pitch competition and to receive the takeaways listed above.

FAQ

• Is this event free? Yes, registration is free.
• Do I need to apply to attend, or just to pitch? Registration is open to everyone. Applying to pitch is a separate, optional step for founders who want to take the stage.
• When does registration close? Registration closes Thursday, November 5.
• When does the pitch application close? The pitch application closes Wednesday, October 28.
• Who can apply to pitch? See Eligibility criteria in the Terms & Conditions.
• What do I get if I win? $1,000. Full details in the Terms & Conditions.
• What should I bring? Business cards, questions and an open calendar! Full details be emailed to registrants closer to the event.