Editor's note: This week was one for news for Houston. Rice University announced its plans for The Ion, MassChallenge picked Houston for its newest program, Station Houston turned three years old, and more. Here are the stories InnovationMap readers were most excited for.
Rice University's Midtown innovation hub dubbed The Ion takes shape
The historic Sears building in Midtown will transform into The Ion, a Rice University-backed hub for innovation. Courtesy of Rice University
Houston's innovation district is one step closer to the Midtown hub it was promised early last year. Rice University announced the construction details of the historic Sears building's transformation into The Ion, as it's now called.
"We chose the name Ion because it's from the Greek ienai, which means 'go'" says Rice University president David Leebron in the release. "We see it as embodying the ever-forward motion of discovery, the spark at the center of a truly original idea. It also represents the last three letters in many of the words that define the building's mission, like inspiration, creation, acceleration and innovation." Continue reading the full story here.
3 female Houston startup founders to watch in 2019
Three female-founded companies pitched to potential investors at The Cannon. Here's why they are ones to watch. Courtesy photos
The Lone Star State has been deemed a great place for female entrepreneurs to get their feet wet, and Houston's ecosystem is full of these leading ladies. At a pitch party at The Cannon, a coworking space in West Houston, over 100 guests, including Cannon Ventures investors and Cannon members, gathered to hear three of these female founders pitch their companies.
From DNA dating and smart pillboxes to an educational franchise company, these three female-led institutions are ones to watch this year. Continue reading the full story here.
Houston needs 4 things to emerge as a startup hub, according to this entrepreneur
Houston has the potential to be a great place for startups, but it might need some fine tuning. Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images
I often think about why Houston's entrepreneurship ecosystem hasn't taken off as much as it should, given the talent pool and the industrial gravity that's concentrated here.
I joined Station Houston as one of the very early members in January of 2016 and since then been watching all the moving parts in the Houston innovation ecosystem as an entrepreneur. I wanted to share four practical ideas on how Houston can emerge as a startup hub. Continue reading the full story here.
3 Houston health-focused innovators to know this week
From a locally sourced meal service company to stem cell research and a balance measuring device, this week's innovators are ones to know in the health industry. Courtesy photos
More and more Americans are focusing on their health, from eating right to experimenting with new treatments or devices. These three Houston innovators are riding the coattails of this health-focused movement with their startups. With advances in technology and the movement only growing faster and faster, you'd better keep your eye on these Houston innovators. Continue reading the full story here.
Houston DNA-based dating app expands brand and plans new ways to use its technology
Brittany Barreto wants to expand her DNA dating technology to a B-to-B model and compatibility test — all under a new company called X&Y Technologies. Karla Martin/Pheramor
For over two years, Brittany Barreto has been playing matchmaker with her DNA-based dating app, Pheramor, but now she's ready to take it to the next level.
Pheramor, which sequences users' DNA and datamines their social media activity to determine compatibility, is transforming into becoming a product of a newly formed company called X&Y Technologies. The company, Barreto says, will have multiple products, all relating to using that same DNA technology Pheramor has perfected. Continue reading the full story here.