A small group of technologists, educators, and community builders came together with an audacious idea: to democratize entrepreneurship for everyone, regardless of zip code or background. Next G Leaders and Businesses was born in a modest Round Rock office, supported by a volunteer team and driven by an outsized dream.

The early years were focused on listening, learning, and building trust. We forged partnerships with Texas educational institutions and workforce agencies. Our first hands-on training programs launched, bridging the gap between classroom theory and the real-world skills needed to help people get hired.

Partnerships with Austin Community College, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Rotary Foundation expanded our reach across Central Texas. Our programs grew from serving a handful of participants to supporting thousands of community members who gained certifications, launched businesses, and discovered new career pathways.

When COVID-19 exposed deep digital divides, we pivoted. Our team helped deliver critical technology infrastructure and data dashboards to Texas agencies. The pandemic revealed both the fragility and resilience of the communities we serve and strengthened our commitment to connectivity as a fundamental right.

The launch of our BEADs on Wheels initiative, a mobile learning lab deployed directly into underserved communities, changed everything. In partnership with NTIA broadband programs, we began training fiber optic technicians, deploying portable network towers, and bringing telemedicine to disaster-affected areas.

When flash floods devastated six Texas counties, including Williamson County, we launched the Rebuild Central Texas initiative, a $1B vision to restore communities through broadband connectivity, workforce training, and economic empowerment. With wired drones serving as mobile internet hubs and hands-on training academies, we are proving that recovery and transformation go hand in hand.

Today, NextGLab operates across six counties with more than 25 partner organizations, delivering programs in broadband workforce development, entrepreneurship, college preparation, community health, and disaster resilience. Our story is far from over; it is being written every day by every student, intern, and community member who walks through our doors.