Update: The nomination period has closed. The originally article is below.

Calling all Houston innovators — InnovationMap needs your help identifying the best and brightest in the Houston innovation ecosystem.

For the fourth year, InnovationMap is hosting its signature awards program that will recognize the top startups and innovators in Houston. The awards program will be on Thursday, November 14, at the Texas Medical Center's Helix Park. Tickets and tables are on sale now.

The nomination period — which includes submitting nominations on behalf of yourself or others — will close September 10. Nominees will be sent an application, which will be due September 23. A panel of judges will review the applications and finalists will be announced and notified ahead of the event.

This year's categories include a few new awards — as well as the return of some crowd favorites. Nominees can be submitted to multiple categories. The 2024 Houston Innovation Awards include:

• Minority-founded business, honoring an innovative startup founded or co-founded by BIPOC or LGBTQ+ representation
• Female-founded business, honoring an innovative startup founded or co-founded by a woman
• Energy transition business, honoring an innovative startup providing a solution within renewables, climatetech, clean energy, alternative materials, circular economy, and beyond
• Health tech business, honoring an innovative startup within the health and medical technology
• Deep tech business, honoring an innovative startup providing technology solutions based on substantial scientific or engineering challenges
• AI/data science business, honoring an innovative startup utilizing artificial intelligence and data science within a tech solution
• Scaleup of the year, honoring an innovative later stage startup that's recently reached a significant milestone in company growth
• Community champion organization, honoring a corporation, nonprofit, university, or other organization that plays a major role in the Houston innovation community
• People’s choice: Startup of the Year, a startup celebrating a recent milestone or success and the winner will be selected by the community via online portal and announced at the event
• Ecosystem builder, honoring an individual who has acted as a leader in developing Houston’s startup ecosystem
• Investor of the year, honoring an individual who is leading venture capital or angel investing
• Mentor of the year, honoring an individual who dedicates their time and expertise to guide and support to budding entrepreneurs

Additionally, the awards gala will honor an innovator who's made a lasting impact on the Houston innovation community. While you may nominate an individual for the Trailblazer Award via the online form, the judging committee will not require applications or nominations for this category and will be considering potential honorees from the ecosystem at large.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities, including the opportunity to sponsor any of the above award categories, please reach out to sales@innovationmap.com.