WHERE TO BE
10+ can't-miss Houston business and innovation events for November
From networking meetups to pitch competitions, November is filled with opportunities for Houston innovators. Here's a roundup of events you won't want to miss out on so mark your calendars and register accordingly.
Note: This post might be updated to add more events.
Featured event: November 14 — Houston Innovation Awards
Celebrate Houston innovation at InnovationMap's 2024 Houston Innovation Awards on November 14 at TMC Helix Park. Click here to read about the finalists. Secure your tickets below.
November 4 - 5 — In-Space Physical AI Workshop
The Rice University Office of Innovation, in partnership with NASA, Purdue University and the Ion District, will host the In-Space Physical AI Workshop. The event will bring together industry leaders, startups, government agencies and researchers to explore the cutting edge of AI in space exploration. Workshop sessions will cover a range of topics in physical AI ⎯ robots or systems that apply AI to autonomously sense, interact with and adapt to their environment using complex computational, sensory and motor abilities to perform challenging real-world tasks.
This event begins Monday, November 4, from 8 am to 8:30 pm at the Ion. Click here to register.
November 6 — Waste to Work: Transforming Waste into Valuable Resources
This event will delve into innovative strategies and technologies that transform waste materials into valuable resources, driving sustainability and economic growth. Topics will include innovative technologies in waste conversion, policy and regulation, economic opportunities in waste management, success stories from around the world, and trends and predictions.
This event is Wednesday, November 6, from 3 to 6 pm at the Cooley University Life Center at UTHealth Houston. Click here to register.
November 7 — Bots & Brews
This event is the fall meetup for the H-town robotics, drones, geospatial, data & AI crowd, hosted by the Energy Drone & Robotics Coalition. Leaders from energy/engineering asset owner/operators, service companies, tech solution providers, startups & investors in the energy and industrial robotics/drone/data & AI community come together to catch up and talk about real-world solutions, projects and deployments.
The event is Thursday, November 7, from 5:30 to 7:45 at The Cannon West. Click here to register.
November 8 — Tech Fest Live
The UH Technology Bridge will be buzzing with students, industry leaders, innovators, and tech enthusiasts as they come together to celebrate the future of technology and innovation. There will be exciting panel discussions, interactive exhibits, and networking opportunities in the fields of digital media, energy, AI and entrepreneurship.
This event is Friday, November 8, from 8 am to 4 pm at UH Technology Bridge. Click here to register.
November 12 — The New Majority Summit
1863 Ventures, a D.C.-based accelerator and venture capital firm, is focused on advancing New Majority entrepreneurs—those historically marginalized or underrepresented—towards greater wealth and success. This immersive program centers on the essential skills and insights needed to transition into becoming an effective CEO.
Throughout the event, registrants will delve into key topics, including the entrepreneurial mindset, understanding one's customer base, establishing scalable processes, financial management strategies, and effective fundraising techniques. Prepare to be inspired and empowered after hearing from 1863 CEO Melissa Bradley, founder & CEO of LAMIK Beauty Kim Roxie, co-founder of Donna's Recipe Gina Woods and more.
This event is Tuesday, November 12, from 8:30 am to 5 pm at the Ensemble Theatre. Click here to register.
November 12 — Software Day at the Ion: Blockchain 2.0: Innovating Across Industries
Software Day is a monthly series driving the support, inspiration, and connections needed to help startups on their path to rapid, sustainable growth. Each month, software day will include office hours (by application), a keynote session, and networking. This software day is moderated by Samantha Lewis, partner at Mercury. Panelists include the former CEO of BBVA Compass, Manolo Sanchez and Ian Epstein, co-CEO ProfitR, global head of capital markets and distribution at republic.
This event is Tuesday, November 12, from 3:30 to 7 pm at the Ion. Click here to register.
November 13 — Envision 2024
Learn how companies in the ecosystem of the largest medical center in the world are addressing challenges head-on, meet some of our entrepreneurs, and network. This event is presented in partnership with Innovate UK and BioInnovation Institute.
This event is Wednesday, November 13, from 1 to 5 pm at TMC Innovation Factory. Click here to register.
November 14 — State of the Texas Medical Center
The Greater Houston Partnership's State of the Texas Medical Center returns. William F. McKeon, President and CEO of the Texas Medical Center, will deliver an annual address, discussing the tremendous progress in discovery and life sciences at the world's largest medical center. New to this year's State of the Texas Medical Center, is a dynamic pitch competition, the TMC Innovation Pitch Tank.
This event is Thursday, November 14, from 11 am to 1:30 pm at Hilton Americas. Click here to register.
November 15 — 2024 ERG Symposium
This event, hosted by Houston Methodist, will include a keynote from Shona Pinnock, VP of DEI for Peloton as well as insights from other local organizations such as HESS, Houston Methodist, TDECU, Greystone and more. These experts will share how ERGS are impacting business goals, enhancing company culture and employee engagement and will provide valuable insights and actionable takeaways to help organizations maximize the effectiveness of ERGs.
This event is Friday, November 15, from 9 am to 1 pm at The Westin Houston Medical Center. Click here to register.
November 19 — A Texas Talk: Reflecting on the Past, Envisioning the Future
Center for Houston’s Future’s signature fall event, Dinner and Conversation presented by Harvey-Cleary, will feature an exciting conversation between two important Texas voices. Stephen Harrigan, the award-winning author of 12 fiction and non-fiction books, will appear in conversation with Sonal Shah, CEO of the Texas Tribune, who has a long record of social impact work across multiple sectors.
This event is Tuesday, November 19, from 6 to 9 pm at the River Oaks Country Club. Click here to register.
November 21 — Visionary Voices: A Fireside Chat with Dan Ammann, President of ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions
In this fireside chat, Dan Ammann, president of ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions, will discuss ExxonMobil’s plans in advancing a thoughtful energy transition by delivering the critical energy and products the world needs and reducing their own and others’ greenhouse gas emissions. He’ll talk about Low Carbon Solutions’ transformative projects and investments aimed at bringing lower-emission technologies like hydrogen, lithium, and carbon capture and storage to market, making them accessible to carbon-intensive industries worldwide.
This event is Thursday, November 21, from 8 to 10 am at the Ion. Click here to register.