InnovationMap is proud to reveal the finalists for the 2026 Houston Innovation Awards.

The sixth annual Houston Innovation Awards program returns in an all-digital format this fall to honor the best of Houston's innovation ecosystem, including startups, entrepreneurs, mentors, and more.

Finalists were determined by our esteemed panel of judges, comprised of past award winners and InnovationMap editorial leadership.

The panel reviewed 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 will announce the honoree of our annual Trailblazer Award in the coming weeks, then stay tuned as we unveil all of this year's winners on InnovationMap.com in mid-November.

Get to know our finalists in more detail through editorial spotlights leading up to the winner announcement. Without further ado, here are the 2026 Houston Innovation Awards finalists:

Minority-founded Business

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

• AI Made Fun
• Deep Anchor Solutions
• HEXAspec
• Prana Surgical
• Torres Orbital Mining Inc.

Female-founded Business

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

• Adair
• ARIX Technologies
• Bairitone Health
• FlowCellutions
• ParaDocs Health

Energy Transition Business

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

• Capwell Services
• FlowCellutions
• Hertha Metals
• Mars Materials
• Solidec

Health Tech Business

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

• Bairitone Health
• InformAI Inc.
• Prana Surgical
• Skybound MedTech

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:

• Casimir
• Focis AI
• Machine Saver Inc.
• Square Robot
• Venus Aerospace

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:

• Fluxworks
• IronLattice
• Lumino
• Progress Report
• Rosarium
• Thread
• TokenRoster

Scaleup of the Year

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

• Erock
• Hertha Metals
• Venus Aerospace

Incubator/Accelerator of the Year

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

• Activate
• Impact Hub Houston
• MarMo Innovation

Mentor of the Year

Honoring an individual who dedicates their time and expertise to guide and support budding entrepreneurs:

• Al Danto, Rice University
• Eric Rubenstein, New Climate Ventures
• Jeremy Pitts, Activate
• Joe Alapat, Liongard
• Kyle Judah, Rice University's Liu Idea Lab for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
• Rachel Bickham, Bickham Services Unlimited LLC

Trailblazer Recipient

• To be announced