A national nonprofit has granted $100,000 in funding to 31 companies across the state. Ten of the recipients are based in Houston.

Founders First CDC — an organization that supports diverse founder-led, revenue-generating businesses — named the winners of its new Job Creators Quest Grant this week. Over 600 Texas businesses applied, and the selected recipients represent industries from construction and manufacturing to STEM and healthcare, to hospitality, and more.

"The challenges of simply keeping the doors open have been amplified by an unforeseen obstacle – the pandemic. Now more than ever it takes commitment, perseverance and healthy funding to succeed, which is why I'm excited about Founders First CDC," says Texas State Senator and small business owner, Royce West, in a news release. "This organization is providing small businesses with wherewithal to create jobs, which in turn help sustain operations, achieve business goals and stimulate the economy."

Launched earlier this year, the Job Creators Quest Grant is funding businesses to help them retain and grow their workforce through the pandemic. Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $220,000 to minority and underrepresented business owners throughout the United States.

"We have observed many founders working more in their business than on their business. Our priority is to give entrepreneurs resources to grow while simultaneously becoming premium wage job creators within their community," says Shaylon Scott, executive director of Founders First CDC, in the release. "Investing in diverse entrepreneurs is an impactful way to drive job and wealth creation in underserved communities. The Job Creators Quest Grant is more than a dollar amount, it's a celebration of their success."

Eligibility requirements included the company's founder must be Black, indigenous, a person of color, LGBTQIA+, military veteran, woman or located in a low to moderate income area and be a for-profit company with annual revenues between $100,000 to $3 million. Grant winners will use the funds to help create and add 1-2 net new premium wage jobs in the next 12 months. The program was funded by a $1 million grant from the Rockefeller Foundation, along with Founders First CDC Capital Partners' recent $9 million series A.

The Houston companies that received funding were:

• DM Electrical and Construction LLC - $10,000
• Medley Inc. - $10,000
• EFS GROUP PLLC - $2,500
• AtWork Personnel Services - $2,500
• Camellia Alise, LLC - $1,500
• Flava Wings - $1,500
• Oops Steam Cleaning - $1,500
• The Body: A Home for Love - $1,500
• TNR Accounting & Management Consulting, LLC - $2,500
• Socium Solutions LLC - $2,500

The other Texas companies that received grant money were:

• COCINA 54 (Austin) - $1,500
• Laundris Corp (Austin) - $1,500
• Center for Music Therapy, Inc. (Austin) - $1,500
• Le Rouge Cuisine Food Company (Dallas) - $5,000
• TDG Scientific (Dallas) - $5,000
• SCENT & FIRE CANDLE COMPANY (Dallas) - $2,500
• brittani (Dallas) - $2,500
• Atmospheric Home Staging (Dallas) - $1,500
• RD Adams Enterprise LLC dba ONE Elite Staffing (Dallas) - $1,500
• Civil Pour (Dallas) - $1,500
• Lalloon Marketing Group, LLC dba Imperium Surgical Partners (Dallas) - $1,500
• WEST ONE PRODUCTS LLC (Fort Worth) - $1,500
• Hooked On Code, LLC (Frisco) - $5,000
• Hustle Clean (Frisco) - $5,000
• PriceSenz LLC (Irving) - $1,500
• R2R Palliative and Hospice Care LLC (Lewisville) - $1,500
• Bernadette Davis Communications (Plano) - $1,500
• Channel Source Inc (Southlake) - $5,000
• KoderLabs (Trophy Club) - $1,500
• Brisco Wheel Repair LLC DBA Alloy Wheel Repair of San Antonio (San Antonio) - $1,500