Editor's note: This week, tech news trended — from a 3D printing studio opening to the way technology is changing the real estate market. In case you've missed InnovationMap news over the week, here are the top read stories to catch up on.
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How technology is disrupting — and improving — the real estate industry in Texas
Buying a home is more digitized than ever — and here's how that's affecting the industry. Photo courtesy of HAR
A recent lawsuit is rocking the residential real estate industry across the country. Home sellers whose properties were listed on one of 20 MLSs claim The National Association of Realtors, Realogy Holdings Corp., HomeServices of America, RE/MAX Holdings, Inc., and Keller Williams Realty, Inc. violated the federal antitrust law by conspiring the sellers to pay an inflated amount to the buyer's broker.
The lawsuit highlights a new need for home buyers and sellers: transparency. Gone are the days when real estate agents can take a hefty commission from his or her clients without providing value that is worthy of the price tag. The sellers who came forward to shed light on this issue have provided further proof that the current real estate model is outdated, and some serious changes could be on the way. Read the rest of the guest article here.
3 Houston innovators to know this week
These three Houstonians have a lot up their sleeves for their companies. Courtesy photos
This week's three Houston entrepreneurs are all about improving access for startups — either to capital or to resources — and that's no small undertaking in a market like Houston. With its urban sprawl and large population, Houston's been considered to have a connectivity problem. Luckily, these three folks have solutions. Read the full story here.
Energy tech company closes round, hospital introduces VR brain tours, Amazon bets on Houston schools, and more innovation news
Amazon has selected eight KIPP schools in Houston to received resources to create robotics programs. Courtesy of Amazon
From virtual reality-enabled brain scans to Amazon selecting Houston schools for its robotics program, the future is now with this latest batch of local innovation news. Read the full story here.
Overheard: Houston female entrepreneurs share advice and experience
At a conference focused on women in business, three Houston entrepreneurs gave their advice for the next generation of female innovators. Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images
Hundreds of women gathered for the Greater Houston Women's Chamber of Commerce's annual Greater Houston Conference for Women. The full-day event on April 18th shined a spotlight on the work women are doing in business in the Bayou City.
One part of the programing included a panel of three Houston entrepreneurs who told their stories and meant to inspire the next generation of businesswomen.
"Innovation is critically important to our city," says Tandra Jackson, KPMG's Houston office partner and moderator of the panel. "Having an ecosystem where we bring innovative capabilities, solutions, and organizations to our community is absolutely paramount to the longevity of our city." Read the full story here.
3D printing company opens new space in the Houston area
The company's printer, called the Gigabot, is on display and able to be used in the newly opened space. Courtesy of re:3D
You now have access to large-scale 3D printers, thanks to re:3D. The Houston company opened its community space in its factory located next to the NASA Johnson Space Center in southeast Houston.
The company makes an affordable and customizable 3D printer, called the Gigabot, and has clients across industries in over 50 countries. Recently, re:3D introduced sustainable options, including printing using plastic waste. The new community space opened to the public on Saturday, April 13, with free tours and mingling. Read the full story here.