Editor's note:Another week has come and gone, and it's time to round up the top headlines from the past few days. Trending Houston tech and startup news on InnovationMap included innovators to know, a guest column on using artificial intellegence for hiring, a second quarter funding roundup, and more.
3 Houston innovators to know this week
This week's roundup of Houston innovators includes Dan Purvis of Velentium, Tony Sanchez of OneNexus Environmental, and Kevin Doffing of Energy Capital of the Future. Courtesy photos
In this week's roundup of Houston innovators to know, I'm introducing you to three local innovators across industries — from medical device development to fintech — recently making headlines in Houston innovation. Click here to continue reading.
These 10 Houston startups closed funding rounds in Q2
The second quarter of this year was good to these Houston tech startups. Photo via Getty Images
It's been a banner year for Houston startups raising funds. From an Amazon competitor emerging from stealth and snagging a $25 million series A to a $74 million series B for a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, Houston's innovative companies have seen a great second quarter of 2021 in terms of VC activity.
In case you missed some of these Q2 deals, InnovationMap has rounded up all its coverage of funding rounds closed between April and June based on previous reporting. Scroll through to see which Houston startups are catching the eyes — and cashing the checks — of investors. Click here to continue reading.
Here's what Houston employers need to know about using artificial intelligence in the hiring process
In a guest column, these lawyers explain the pros and cons of using AI for hiring. Photo via Getty Images
Workplace automation has entered the human resource department. Companies rely increasingly on artificial intelligence to source, interview, and hire job applicants. These AI tools are marketed to save time, improve the quality of a workforce, and eliminate unlawful hiring biases. But is AI incapable of hiring discrimination? Can a company escape liability for discriminatory hiring because, "the computer did it?"
Ultimately, whether AI is a solution or a landmine depends on how carefully companies implement the technology. AI is not immune from discrimination and federal law holds companies accountable for their hiring decisions, even if those decisions were made in a black server cabinet. The technology can mitigate bias, but only if used properly and monitored closely. Click here to continue reading.
Several Houston-area life science research teams receive thousands in grants
It's pay day for several Houston-area research teams thanks to two grant programs. Photo via Getty Images
Several health innovation research teams across Houston are celebrating fresh funds to go toward the development of breakthrough technologies and research projects.
In InnovationMap's latest roundup of research news, check out who received this crucial funding and how their research and work can change the standard of care across the life science industry. Click here to continue reading.
Houston clean energy lab names 4 new companies to program
Halliburton Labs has named its newest cohort — and opened applications for the next one. Photo courtesy of Halliburton
Halliburton Labs has doubled the number of clean energy companies that are operating out of its facilities with the addition of its second cohort.
Four companies have been selected for the program, joining four existing member companies of Halliburton Labs, which originally launched last summer. The companies recently announced to the incubator are Alumina Energy, Ionada, Parasanti, and SurgePower Materials.
"We are excited to support and collaborate with this group of early-stage, clean energy companies as they continue their commercialization journey," says Dale Winger, managing director of Halliburton Labs, in a news release. "Each has demonstrated a commitment to accelerating their technologies, and we are eager to help them innovate, develop and scale each company." Click here to continue reading.