best of the rest
Top innovators: 2024 Houston Innovation Awards finalists revealed
Here's what Houston startups and innovators will be honored at the Houston Innovation Awards on November 14. Graphic via Gow Media
After nearly 300 nominations, InnovationMap and its group of judges are ready to reveal the finalists for this year's Houston Innovation Awards.
Taking place on Thursday, November 14, the Houston Innovation Awards celebrates all of Houston's innovation ecosystem — startups, entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, and more. Over 50 finalists will be recognized in particular for their achievements across 13 categories, which includes the 2024 Trailblazer Legacy Awards that were announced earlier this month.
Scroll down to see the 2024 Houston Innovation Awards finalists.
This year, 35 startups, 14 individuals, and six organizations will all be recognized, and winners will be named at the event. The finalists were decided by this year's judges after they reviewed over 130 applications.
If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to sales@innovationmap.com. If you have questions about the Houston Innovation Awards, email awards@innovationmap.com.
Minority-founded business category, honoring an innovative startup founded or co-founded by BIPOC or LGBTQ+ representation
- CLS Wind, a self-erection wind turbine tower system provider for the wind energy industry
- Corrolytics, a technology startup founded to solve microbiologically influenced corrosion problems for industrial assets
- Gold H2, a startup that's transforming depleted oil fields into hydrogen-producing assets utilizing existing infrastructure
- Nap Bar, a white-glove rest sanctuary, with an integration of artificial intelligence for professionals, entrepreneurs, and travelers to rest, recharge, and rejuvenate
- Speakerbox Media, a B2B video agency that turns experts into thought leaders with engaging webinars and video podcasts, providing end-to-end content strategy and production.
Female-founded business category, honoring an innovative startup founded or co-founded by a woman
- Dauntless XR, a developer of extended reality software
- EveryDopeGirl, a community building an interracial and intergenerational culture of support amongst women globally
- Koda Health, provider of a tech-enabled care coordination service for improving serious illness care planning
- March Biosciences, a clinical-stage cell therapy company with a mission to transform patient care in the most challenging hematological malignancies
- nVenue, machine learning and AI technology provider that generates and delivers real-time odds and predictive analytics to sportsbooks and media
Energy transition business category, honoring an innovative startup providing a solution within renewables, climatetech, clean energy, alternative materials, circular economy, and beyond
- Amperon, an AI platform powering the smart grid of the future
- ARIX Technologies, an integrated robotics and data analytics company that delivers inspection services through its robotics platforms
- Elementium Materials, a battery technology with liquid electrolyte solutions
- InnoVent Renewables, a startup with proprietary continuous pyrolysis technology that converts waste tires, plastics, and biomass into valuable fuels and chemicals
- Sage Geosystems, an energy company focused on developing and deploying advanced geothermal technologies to provide reliable power and sustainable energy storage solutions regardless of geography
- Tierra Climate, a software provider that helps grid-scale batteries reduce carbon emissions
Health tech business category, honoring an innovative startup within the health and medical technology
- Allterum Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company creating a treatment for cancer
- Bairitone Health, an AI-driven, sonar-based diagnostic imaging technology platform
- Ictero Medical, a medical device company developing the first minimally-invasive cryoablation solution to treat gallstone disease
- InformAI, a technology company dedicated to advancing healthcare through the development of AI-driven solutions in radiology, oncology and transplant surgery
- Koda Health, provider of a tech-enabled care coordination service for improving serious illness care planning
- March Biosciences, a clinical-stage cell therapy company with a mission to transform patient care in the most challenging hematological malignancies
AI/data science business category, honoring an innovative startup utilizing artificial intelligence and data science within a tech solution
- ARIX Technologies, an integrated robotics and data analytics company that delivers inspection services through its robotics platforms
- Cognitive Space, an automated satellite operations provider that enables constellations to scale
- Enovate Ai, a provider of business and operational process optimization for decarbonization and energy independence
- nVenue, machine learning and AI technology provider that generates and delivers real-time odds and predictive analytics to sportsbooks and media
- Voyager Portal, a software platform that helps commodity traders and manufacturers in the O&G, chemicals, agriculture, mining, and project cargo sectors optimize the voyage management lifecycle
Deep tech business category, honoring an innovative startup providing technology solutions based on substantial scientific or engineering challenges
- FluxWorks, developer and manufacturer of magnetic gears and magnetic gear-integrated motors
- Gold H2, a startup that's transforming depleted oil fields into hydrogen-producing assets utilizing existing infrastructure
- Hertha Metals, developer of a technology that cost-effectively produces steel with fewer carbon emissions
- Venus Aerospace, a deep tech company developing reusable hypersonic technology for aviation, defense, and beyond
Scaleup of the year category, honoring an innovative later stage startup that's recently reached a significant milestone in company growth
- Cart.com, a unified commerce and logistics solutions provider for B2C and B2B companies
- Coya Therapeutics, a clinical-stage company developing therapies for neurodegenerative, autoimmune, and metabolic diseases
- NanoTech Materials, a chemical manufacturer that integrates novel heat-control technology with thermal insulation, fireproofing, and cool roof coatings to drastically improve efficiency and safety
- Square Robot, an advanced robotics company serving the energy industry and beyond by providing submersible robots for storage tank inspections
- Syzygy Plasmonics, a company that's decarbonizing chemical production with a light-powered reactor platform that electrifies the production of hydrogen, syngas, and fuel with reliable, low-cost solutions
People’s choice: Startup of the Year category, honoring 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
- Corrolytics, a technology startup founded to solve microbiologically influenced corrosion problems for industrial assets
- FlowCare, a startup advocating for free menstruation products in business and academic settings
- InnoVent Renewables, a startup with proprietary continuous pyrolysis technology that converts waste tires, plastics, and biomass into valuable fuels and chemicals
- MendIt, an app that quickly and easily connects users to professionals who specialize in mending and repairing clothing
- Passport Journeys, an app connects mother-daughter pairs with licensed therapists
- TrueLeap, an education technology company on a mission to accelerate access to quality education for emerging markets by integrating e-learning software, content, training, analytics, and community
Community champion organization category, honoring a corporation, nonprofit, university, or other organization that plays a major role in the Houston innovation community
- Energy Tech Nexus, a new global energy and carbon tech hub focusing on hard tech solutions that provides mentor, accelerator and educational programs for entrepreneurs and underserved communities.
- Greentown Houston, a climatetech incubator and convener for the energy transition community that provides community engagement and programming in partnership with corporations and other organizations.
- Houston Angel Network, supports Houston startups with capital, connections, and counsel and provides accredited investors access to startup deals in which they can invest, both locally and nationally.
- Impact Hub Houston, a nonprofit that serves as a pivotal hub within the city's innovation ecosystem, fostering a dynamic environment where changemakers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders converge to drive social impact and innovation forward.
- Microsoft, a global tech company that supports the local innovation ecosystem with mentorship and opportunities in underserved communities.
- University of Houston Technology Bridge, a key innovation hub at UH, designed to foster collaboration between academia, industry, and government and serves as a vibrant ecosystem for startups, researchers, and entrepreneurs, providing access to cutting-edge facilities, including labs, incubators, and coworking spaces.
Ecosystem builder category, honoring an individual who has acted as a leader in developing Houston’s startup ecosystem
- Adrianne Stone, founder of Bayou City Startups
- Carlos Estrada, growth partner at First Bight Ventures and head of venture acceleration at BioWell
- Jesse Martinez, founder and CEO of invincible
- Juliana Garaizar, founding partner of Energy Tech Nexus
- Atul Varadhachary, managing partner of Fannin Innovation Studio
- Phillip Yates, founder and CEO of Equiliberty Inc.
Investor of the year category, honoring an individual who is leading venture capital or angel investing
- Carrie Colbert, founding and general partner of Curate Capital
- Chris Howard, CEO of Softeq
- Juliana Garaizar, founding partner of Energy Tech Nexus
- Neal Dikeman, partner at Energy Transition Ventures
- Samantha Lewis, partner at Mercury Fund
Mentor of the year category, honoring an individual who dedicates their time and expertise to guide and support to budding entrepreneurs
- Mimi Healy, CEO of StimulusBio
- Mitra Miller, vice president of Houston Angel Network
- Ram Prasad, CEO of Delence