InnovationMap is proud to reveal the finalists for the 2025 Houston Innovation Awards.

Taking place on November 13 at Greentown Labs, the fifth annual Houston Innovation Awards will honor the best of Houston's innovation ecosystem, including startups, entrepreneurs, mentors, and more.

This year's finalists were determined by our esteemed panel of judges, comprised of past award winners and InnovationMap editorial leadership.

The panel reviewed nominee applications across 10 prestigious categories to determine our finalists. They will select the winner for each category, except for Startup of the Year, which will be chosen by the public via online voting launching later this month.

We'll announce our 2025 Trailblazer Award recipient in the coming weeks, and then we'll unveil the rest of this year's winners live at our awards ceremony.

Get to know all of our finalists in more detail through editorial spotlights leading up to the big event. Then, join us on November 13 as we unveil the winners and celebrate all things Houston innovation. Tickets are on sale now — secure yours today.

Without further ado, here are the 2025 Houston Innovation Awards finalists:

Minority-founded Business

Honoring an innovative startup founded or co-founded by BIPOC or LGBTQ+ representation:

• Capwell Services
• Deep Anchor Solutions
• Mars Materials
• Torres Orbital Mining (TOM)
• Wellysis USA

Female-founded Business

Honoring an innovative startup founded or co-founded by a woman:

• Anning Corporation
• Bairitone Health
• Brain Haven
• FlowCare
• March Biosciences
• TrialClinIQ

Energy Transition Business

Honoring an innovative startup providing a solution within renewables, climatetech, clean energy, alternative materials, circular economy and beyond:

• Anning Corporation
• Capwell Services
• Deep Anchor Solutions
• Eclipse Energy
• Loop Bioproducts
• Mars Materials
• Solidec

Health Tech Business

Honoring an innovative startup within the health and medical technology sectors:

• Bairitone Health
• Corveus Medical
• FibroBiologics
• Koda Health
• NanoEar
• Wellysis USA

Deep Tech Business

Honoring an innovative startup providing technology solutions based on substantial scientific or engineering challenges, including those in the AI, robotics and space sectors:

• ARIX Technologies
• Little Place Labs
• Newfound Materials
• Paladin Drones
• Persona AI
• Tempest Droneworx

Startup of the Year (People's Choice)

Honoring a startup celebrating a recent milestone or success. The winner will be selected by the community via an online voting experience:

• Eclipse Energy
• FlowCare
• MyoStep
• Persona AI
• Rheom Materials
• Solidec
  

Scaleup of the Year

Honoring an innovative later-stage startup that's recently reached a significant milestone in company growth:

• Coya Therapeutics
• Fervo Energy
• Koda Health
• Mati Carbon
• Molecule
• Utility Global

Incubator/Accelerator of the Year

Honoring a local incubator or accelerator that is championing and fueling the growth of Houston startups:

• Activate
• Energy Tech Nexus
• Greentown Labs
• Healthtech Accelerator (TMCi)
• Impact Hub Houston

Mentor of the Year

Honoring an individual who dedicates their time and expertise to guide and support budding entrepreneurs. Presented by Houston Community College:

• Anil Shetty, Inform AI
• Jason Ethier, EnergyTech Nexus
• Jeremy Pitts, Activate
• Joe Alapat, Liongard
• Neil Dikeman, Energy Transition Ventures
• Nisha Desai, Intention

Trailblazer Recipient

• To be announced

Interested in sponsoring the 2025 Houston Innovation Awards? Contact sales@innovationmap.com for details.