E-commerce unicorn Cart.com has announced the relocation of its global corporate headquarters to Houston, returning to its roots after a brief stint in Austin.  The end-to-end e-commerce services provider, originally founded in Houston in late 2020, experienced unprecedented growth fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic. The startup officially hit unicorn status earlier this year after a $60 million Series C round raised its valuation to $1.2 billion.  According to the company, Houston’s central location and transportation infrastructure will facilitate improved connectivity among its seven corporate offices, including international offices in Poland and Mexico, and 14 distribution centers nationwide. In addition to those key factors, Houston’s status as a dynamic business hub also played a significant role in the company’s decision to return home.  “I couldn’t be happier to bring Cart.com back home to Houston as we continue to revolutionize how merchants sell and fulfill products to meet customers anywhere they are,” said Cart.com Founder and CEO Omair Tariq. “The idea for Cart.com was born in Houston and we’ve always maintained a strong local presence with the majority of our executive team and board based here. As our customer mix increasingly moves upmarket and our own needs evolve, I’m confident Houston has what we need as we look towards the next stage of Cart.com’s growth story.”  The move will also unlock a deeper talent pool as the company augments key back-office functions including accounting, finance, HR and legal in one of the top cities nationally for Fortune 500 companies and talent.  According to the Partnership’s 2022 Houston Business Insider publication, Houston is home to more than 1.1 million millennials, reflecting a 25 percent increase over the last decade. With its population in that age group continuing to grow, Houston ranks among the top 10 cities in the U.S. for attracting millennials and retaining college graduates.  “Cart.com’s homecoming is a testament to why companies repeatedly choose Houston to scale their business with its diverse and dynamic economy along with its unparalleled talent pool that cuts across technology, professional services and global trade,” said Bob Harvey, Partnership President and CEO. “We’re excited to support Cart.com’s continued growth and look forward to the company’s contribution to Houston’s growing tech community.”  Boasting one of the nation's largest ports and two international airports, complemented by a robust talent pool and the cultural richness of one of the most diverse cities, Houston is a prime destination for companies aiming to maximize growth and efficiency. Cart.com’s relocation is not merely a shift in headquarters but a testament to the city’s capacity to foster success at every stage of business development.   Learn more about Houston’s talent pool and workforce. 

Giving Tuesday is fast approaching on Nov. 28 giving Houstonians an opportunity to give back to the community. We rounded up a few organizations across the Houston area that are making a positive impact in the region for those looking to participate. BakerRipley has been serving the greater Houston area since 1907. The nonprofit organization describes itself as a place of opportunity by providing a wide range of services, including Head Start, day care, after-school programming, senior-citizen care, disaster relief, job training and more. Communities in Schools Houston serves more than 170 schools across Greater Houston by placing at least one full-time CIS Student Support Manager on each campus to deliver comprehensive direct services and to provide referrals to community resources that are tailored to fit students’ specific needs. Whether a student needs someone to talk to, healthcare services, school supplies, or a safe place to live, CIS is there to help.  Good Reason Houston works to improve public education by sharing data, building coalitions, empowering parents and advocating for students. Good Reason currently serves over 11 public school districts and systems with 500,000 students in Houston.  Houston Food Bank distributes food and other essentials to those across the greater Houston region that lack access to nutritious food. Houston Food Bank also provides programs and services aimed at helping families achieve long-term stability including nutrition education, health management and help in securing state-funded assistance. Whether its food, funds or time volunteering, Houston Food Bank offers many ways to give back to the community.  Mental Health of Greater Houston is one of Houston’s longest-serving mental health education and advocacy organizations focused on shaping the mental health of people and communities. To better serve the Houston community, Mental Health of Greater Houston provides a plethora of mental health resources and services and helps facilitate change in systems and legislation.  The Bridge Over Troubled Waters provides support and safety to those who are or have been affected by domestic and sexual violence. With offices in Pasadena and Baytown, The Bridge offers a variety of services including crisis intervention, a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, counseling and support groups and so much more.  The Rose actively supports breast health and awareness by offering comprehensive breast cancer screening, diagnostics, biopsies and treatment to nearly 40,000 women in Houston annually. The Rose ensures all women have access to care by eliminating barriers, including cost and lack of insurance.  United Way of Greater Houston helps Houstonians overcome barriers to achieve success and thrive by providing tools, resources and educational support to individuals and families. United Way helps fund dozens of partner nonprofits that also directly serve the community. Learn more about Giving Tuesday.