Photos: Houston Innovation Awards celebrates city's startup, tech leaders at annual event

event recap

Over 500 members of Houston's innovation community showed up to celebrate the best and brightest of the ecosystem. Photo by Emily Jaschke/InnovationMap

The 2024 Houston Innovation Awards season has come to a close with last week's event.

With a crowd of around 500 attendees, the Houston Innovation Awards, which took place on November 14, celebrated over 40 finalists and a dozen winners across categories. Click here to see who won an award.

Learn more about this year's honorees in InnovationMap's the editorial series:

Special thanks to this year's sponsors: The Houston Innovation Awards is sponsored by Texas Medical Center, Milam & Greene Whiskey, Weber Ranch Vodka, EIGHT Beer, Karbach Brewing Company, Topo Chico, Houston Community College, Microsoft, Halliburton Labs, Mercury, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, Rice Innovation & Ion District, Growth Pods, and Hunton Andrews Kurth.

See below for photos from the event. All photos by Emily Jaschke for InnovationMap.

Scenes from the 2024 Houston Innovation Awards program

  

Naming the 2024 winners across 12 categories

  

Celebrating the 2024 Houston Innovation Awards finalists

Honoring Scott Gale and Paul Frison as Trailblazer Legacy Award recipients

  

Here's who attended the annual event

  

Introducing the TMC3 Helix Park Collaborative Building

  
This year's award recipients span industries and technologies. Photos courtesy

2024 Houston Innovation Awards winners named at annual event

drum roll, please...

Houston innovators — the moment you've been waiting for. The winners of the 2024 Houston Innovation Awards were named at the annual event.

The Houston Innovation Awards honored over 40 finalists across categories, naming the 12 winners and honoring the two Trailblazer Legacy Awards at the event.

The 2024 judges — who represent various industries and verticals in Houston — scored over 200 submissions. The event, hosted at TMC Helix Park on November 14 and emceed by Joey Sanchez, 2023 Ecosystem Builder award recipient and founder of Cup of Joey, revealed the winners.

The event's sponsors included Texas Medical Center, Milam & Greene, EIGHT Beer, Houston Community College, Microsoft, Halliburton Labs, Mercury, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, Rice Innovation & Ion District, Growth Pods, Hunton Andrews Kurth and more.

Without further adieu, here the winners from the 2024 Houston Innovation Awards.

Corrolytics is a technology startup founded to solve microbiologically influenced corrosion problems for industrial assets. Co-founder and CEO Anwar Sadek says he's collected over $1 million in dilutive and non-dilutive funding from grants and other opportunities thanks to help from mentors.

"As a founder, I am always eager to assist and support fellow entrepreneurs, especially those navigating the unique challenges that come with being a BIPOC founder," he says. "With the guidance of mentors, I learned to master the complexities of the application process for grants and other funding opportunities. In turn, I actively share my experiences with other founders, helping them navigate similar paths."

Koda Health is a provider of a tech-enabled care coordination service for improving serious illness care planning. Founder and CEO Tatiana Fofanova says that her company's last fundraise has been one of her biggest career challenges to date.

"In a venture downturn that only cared about artificial intelligence, I closed my second round six days before I gave birth to my son," she says. "Fundraising in enterprise health tech is a tough task on a good year. Fundraising in an AI-obsessed downturn while seven months pregnant was the greatest physical and professional challenge of my life. I was only able to do such a Herculean feat through the support of my husband, my amazing professional network, and the Koda team."

March Biosciences, a clinical-stage cell therapy company with a mission to transform patient care in the most challenging hematological malignancies, was co-founded by CEO Sarah Hein.

"Our therapy has resulted in multiple long-term remissions in patients with advanced T cell lymphoma, which is unheard," Hein says on what sets March apart. "Our drug is simpler, cheaper, and more efficient to produce than any of our competition's approaches. And our company operates with a lean, fit-for-purpose structure that allows us to move faster and more efficiently than industry norms."

Founded by CEO Cindy Taff, Sage Geosystems is an energy company focused on developing and deploying advanced geothermal technologies to provide reliable power and sustainable energy storage solutions regardless of geography.

"Sage Geosystems sets itself apart from competitors with its Geopressured Geothermal Systems, which can be deployed almost anywhere, unlike traditional geothermal technologies that require specific geographic conditions," Taff says. "This flexibility enables Sage to provide a reliable and virtually limitless power supply, making it ideal for energy-intensive applications like data centers."

Venus Aerospace, a deep tech company founded by husband and wife team Sassie and Andrew Duggleby, is developing reusable hypersonic technology for aviation, defense, and beyond. The team says its company culture is what drives its success.

"Traditionally, the aerospace industry tends to burn out its employees with no room for work- life balance. One of our core visions is being 'home for dinner,'" the company reported. "We want to fly you to one side of the world and still have you home for dinner. And if you work for Venus, we expect you to not only get your job done, but prioritize your family and make it home in time for dinner."

Cognitive Space, an automated satellite operations provider that enables constellations to scale, was founded by CEO Guy de Carufel, who worked at NASA for eight years before starting this company.

Cognitive Space, working in defense sector, provides "AI for automating the space infrastructure, from effective ordering across multiple data providers, to optimized scheduling of satellite operations from sensor and link management," de Carufel says. "Addressing complexities in managing heterogeneous space systems at scale."

Cart.com is a unified commerce and logistics solutions provider for B2C and B2B companies is a fast-growing ecommerce platform founded by CEO Omair Tariq.

"In the last 12 months, Cart.com has dramatically grown its fulfillment network’s scale and technological capabilities," writes CEO Omail Tariq in his Houston Innovation Awards application. "We have been laser-focused on improving quality, performance and efficiency at scale while continuing to aggressively grow our customer base, expand our capabilities to customers in new industries and grow our physical presence to new locations. Prioritizing our strategic growth initiatives has been critical in the current macroeconomic environment as profitable growth remains paramount for our team."

Corrolytics, a technology startup founded to solve microbiologically influenced corrosion problems for industrial assets, secured the most votes from the Houston innovation community.

"If I could give myself advice before starting the company, I would say to embrace the challenges early on, as they are invaluable learning opportunities," Co-founder and CEO Anwar Sadek says. "Focus on building a strong network, especially with mentors and industry leaders who can guide you through the unknowns. Lastly, be prepared for the unexpected, stay adaptable, and never underestimate the importance of a clear mission that inspires both your team and your customers."

Impact Hub Houston is a nonprofit that serves as a pivotal hub within the city's innovation ecosystem, fostering a dynamic environment where changemakers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders converge to drive social impact and innovation forward.

"We mobilize problem solvers to use their knowledge, skills and technology to address community challenges, demonstrating our commitment to local impact while also providing a global reach for Houston innovators," says Grace Rodriguez, founder and CEO of the organization. "Our work extends to supporting underrepresented communities, and we work with public and private stakeholders to promote sustainable business practices that prioritize economic development, environmental stewardship and social equity."

Mitra Milleris the vice president of Houston Angel Network, but also founded and chairs Eagle Investors, a nonprofit group teaching students about the investment and innovation community. She serves as an active mentor for many organizations across Houston.

"Houston has the most friendly, open, collaborative, and inclusive innovation environment anywhere," Miller says. "When I ask individuals and organizations to partner on events and initiatives, they readily agree and give freely of their time and resources. There is a generosity of spirit that is very special to Houston."

Juliana Garaizar, founding partner of Energy Tech Nexus, invests with groups — such as Portfolia, Houston Angel Network, Business Angel Minority Association, and more — locally and beyond.

"I'm a hands on investor," she says. "I offer mentorship and industry and other investor connections. I take advisory roles and board observer seats."

Phillip Yates is the founder and CEO of Equiliberty Inc., but wears a few other hats too. In 2011, he helped establish a pre-venture business incubator at the Houston Area Urban League Entrepreneurship Center. He served as general counsel for the Business Angel Minority Association and Direct Digital Holdings Inc., and currently serves as chairman of Impact Hub Houston.

"My favorite part of Houston's innovative ecosystem is the growing network of resources for founders," he says. "Given our racial, ethnic and culturally diverse population, we have a wider range of experiences and perspectives — an idea that lead to better problem solving, creative solutions and understanding of the needs our community.

This year, the Houston innovation community suffered the loss of two business leaders who left a significant impact on the ecosystem. Both individuals' careers were recognized with Trailblazer Legacy Awards.

Paul Frison, founder of the Houston Technology Center, and Scott Gale, executive director of Halliburton Labs, received the award posthumously. Frison died on September 5, and Gale died on September 24. The award was decided on by the 2024 judges and InnovationMap.

“I am immensely proud to honor these two remarkable individuals with the Trailblazer Award this year. It is fitting, as they represent two generations of building Houston’s ecosystem," 2023 Trailblazer Award recipient Brad Burke, managing director of the Rice Alliance and the associate vice president for industry and new ventures within Rice University's Office of Innovation, tells InnovationMap.

"Paul Frison was a pioneering leader who helped establish the Houston Technology Center and fostered the city’s tech ecosystem during the initial technology boom around the year 2000. Scott Gale, through his work at Halliburton Labs over the past five years, has been instrumental in launching Houston’s energy transition ecosystem," he continues. "Both have played pivotal roles in championing technology innovators.” Continue reading.

Get to know the Houston Innovation Awards Community Champion Organization finalists. Photo via Getty Images

These are 6 of the organizations best supporting Houston's innovation community

houston innovation awards

It takes a village to launch, run, and grow an innovative startup.

And from helping founders gain access to capital to promoting diversity, offering mentorship and hosting pitch events, demo days and more, this year's six Community Champion Organization finalists are part of that village. Learn about each of the finalists and what drives them to support the Houston innovation ecosystem in the interviews below.

Click here to secure your tickets to the Houston Innovation Awards this Thursday, November 14, where we will announce the winner.

Energy Tech Nexus

Describe your company's work within the Houston innovation ecosystem.

Energy Tech Nexus is a new global energy and carbon tech hub focusing on hard tech solutions that started January 1, 2024, when Jason Ethier and Juliana Garaizar left Greentown Labs to create a Houston-headquartered climate hub serving as a global landing pad for energy and carbon tech stakeholders. Since then, 90 entrepreneurs have joined, of which 70 percent are underrepresented and 20 are international. Our ETN Grand Opening on September 10 showcased 50 of its companies as well as programs from Canada with TechNL, Australia with Austrade, and MassChallenge with 521 attendees total. Energy Tech Nexus provides mentor, accelerator and educational programs for entrepreneurs and underserved communities, partnering with entities like Houston Community College and Econwerx, plus national networks such as VentureWell, the LatinX Startup Alliance, and Browning the Green Space and global networks Impact Hub and U.S. Spain Executive Committee (USEC).

Why has your company decided to support the Houston innovation ecosystem?

Energy Tech Nexus was specifically created to support the evolving Houston innovation ecosystem in energy transition with a more Houston-centric and inclusive approach regarding the oil and gas industry. ETN's hands-on approach is very data-driven and results-oriented with a customized approach for every entrepreneur, depending on the stage of their startup/scaleup. ETN also extensively uses peer learning from key expert entrepreneurs or Fellow members who are in charge of creating events and animating the ecosystem.

Describe your company's impact on the Houston innovation ecosystem.

Since ETN's inception, its members have secured over $200 million in funding, given pilot demonstrations, and five grants. ETN has also become a landing pad for international companies from Latin America, Canada, Europe, Israel and Australia and will soon be expanding in Chile and Spain. Even before its soft-opening at the old EDPR offices at the Esperson Building downtown, ETN had already onboarded 30 members and organized a mission with 18 of them to Spain for the Energy Tech Summit, fully sponsored by the Basque Government, where they all met with the key Spanish players in the global energy transition. ETN was also granted an SBA Growth Accelerator Fund Competition Stage 1 award with ImpactHub Houston to develop the Houston Equitable Energy Transition Alliance that successfully launched on July 1 and had its Pilothon Pitch event during ETN's Grand Opening.

Who is the person/people leading your company's innovation team?

Jason Ethier has been leading ETN's innovation team with very novel approaches in data management and insights generation.

Greentown Labs Houston

Describe your company's work within the Houston innovation ecosystem.

Greentown Labs Houston opened on Earth Day 2021 as the city's first-ever climatetech startup incubator. With 30 members from the onset and anchoring supporters from the community, such as Greater Houston Partnership and 17 strategic corporations as founding partners—including Shell, Engie and Chevron—we've played a key convener for the energy transition and climatetech community ever since. Now, with three years of deep community engagement in the Houston area and many more partners and startups supported through local Greentown Houston programming, we've proudly supported more than 160 startups at Greentown Houston and have welcomed 22 new startups in 2024 alone. We recently played a key, anchor role in the city's first-ever Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week. We can't wait to see how the week-long event series will grow next year.

Why has your company decided to support the Houston innovation ecosystem?

Greentown Labs opened its second location in Houston because we believe it is the best place to broaden our impact and help accelerate the energy transition through climatetech entrepreneurship in partnership with the nation’s fourth largest city and the world-leading energy organizations headquartered there. We want to be an on-the-ground catalyst for the energy transition in Houston—for the entrepreneurs and innovators, organizations and communities that have already begun the transition and to spark new change for those who have yet to engage. Greentown Labs believes we can not solve climate change from the coasts—it’s critical to engage the talent and energy of all other major ecosystems around the country, especially in the middle of the country. We need all hands on deck at this time. We aim for Greentown Houston to be a place for convening climatetech startups, investors, corporate partners, partners, students and other stakeholders working in climatetech and energy transition innovation in Houston.

Describe your company's impact on the Houston innovation ecosystem.

Most recently, Greentown Houston was proud to serve as an anchoring partner on the first-ever Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week alongside Halliburton Labs and Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship. But on an ongoing basis, Greentown Houston serves as a convener of the ecosystem—regularly hosting events. Our Transition on Tap networking event has become a regular event on many innovators' calendars. We run the Houston Ion District Investor Activation Program in partnership with the Ion to bring more early-stage investors in the Houston region into the climatetech ecosystem. We've successfully run two years of our ACCEL accelerator program, which supports underrepresented founders developing climatetech solutions—many of the participants are Houston-based startups. We regularly publish a Pilot Digest, which highlights our startup member companies that are actively seeking pilot partners in Houston and beyond. And we regularly host fundraising training sessions for our startups.

Who is the person/people leading your company's innovation team?

Timmeko Moore Love leads Greentown Houston as Greentown Labs’ first Houston general manager and senior vice president. She previously served as the first Black woman in the Fortune 500 to lead a venture capital program and ... brings deep industry and venture expertise.

Houston Angel Network

Describe your company's work within the Houston innovation ecosystem.

For over two decades, HAN has supported the innovation ecosystem of Houston with capital, connections, and counsel for startups and founders. Through our events and active involvement in early-stage incubators, accelerators, and mentoring programs, we educate Houstonians about the role that early-stage capital plays in fueling innovation. We also give accredited investors access to startup deals in which they can invest, both locally and nationally.

Why has your company decided to support the Houston innovation ecosystem?

Following in the footsteps of one of our founders, Paul Frison, HAN members love innovation and want to support it. Some HAN members are entrepreneurs with successful exits, whereas others are intrapreneurs who helped bring innovation to Fortune 500 companies. We have a shared passion for “the future,” and as investors believe we can use a portion of our capital to support meaningful change.

Describe your company's impact on the Houston innovation ecosystem.

HAN is one of the best sources for startup capital in Houston, with a diverse group of 100 members across many specialties. We hold monthly pitch meetings, quarterly educational socials, and other events where founders and funders can connect. HAN was the launch pad for some of the most talented investors in Houston. The learning and connections made at HAN (both by members and staff) led to the funding and/or founding of Mercury Fund, Artemis Fund, Texas HALO Fund, GOOSE Capital, and others. This year, HAN launched a strategic relationship with the University of Houston so that more UH alumni can become early-stage investors, mentors, and advisors. HAN also hosts educational events that are open to the public, including Aerospace Investing, Energy Investing, Women on Boards and multiple Angel 101 programs. HAN actively collaborates with other angel groups in Texas to help get more deals funded in Texas. In addition to investing, many HAN members have become advisors, board members, and CEOs of early-stage companies, both in Houston and beyond.

Who is the person/people leading your company's innovation team?

Our leadership team includes Eric Schneider, Eric Alfuth, Mitra Miller, and Rezwan Mirza as officers, and Samia Ahsan as managing director.

Impact Hub Houston

Describe your company's work within the Houston innovation ecosystem.

We provide a platform for collaboration, networking, and knowledge sharing. This community-centric approach fosters a supportive environment where ideas can flourish and partnerships can thrive. We are dedicated to supporting early-stage ventures at various stages of development. Our programs cater to entrepreneurs from ideation to scaling stages, equipping them with the resources, mentorship and networks needed to succeed. Impact Hub Houston designs and implements innovative programs that address pressing societal issues. From tackling healthcare disparities to promoting sustainable practices, our programs aim to create positive social change through entrepreneurship and innovation. These initiatives not only drive economic growth but also enhance the quality of life for Houstonians. Impact Hub Houston also serves as a catalyst for advocacy and thought leadership in the innovation space. We advocate for policies that support entrepreneurship and social impact, amplifying the voices of our community members on critical issues. Our thought leadership initiatives, including editorial content and public engagements, contribute to shaping the future of innovation in Houston and beyond.

Why has your company decided to support the Houston innovation ecosystem?

Impact Hub Houston's decision to support the Houston innovation ecosystem is deeply rooted in our mission to empower and connect change-makers, entrepreneurs and social innovators who are committed to solving the most pressing challenges facing our communities. Houston, as one of the most diverse and rapidly growing cities in the U.S., provides a fertile ground for innovation across multiple sectors, and we believe that an inclusive, collaborative ecosystem is key to unlocking its full potential. Our commitment stems from several core reasons, including but not limited to:

  1. Leveraging Houston’s diversity for innovation: We see this diversity as an asset to the innovation ecosystem, fostering creativity and inclusive problem-solving. Impact Hub Houston’s work centers around ensuring that innovators from all backgrounds, especially those from historically underrepresented communities, have the resources, support, and connections they need to thrive.
  2. Addressing Local and Global Challenges: Houston is a city of significant opportunity but also faces challenges in areas like health care, climate resilience, social justice, and education. We believe that the innovation ecosystem here has the potential to develop solutions that not only address local challenges but also have global implications.
  3. Closing the Gaps in Access and Opportunity: Despite its opportunities, Houston’s innovation ecosystem still reflects gaps in access to capital, mentorship, and resources, particularly for entrepreneurs of color, women, and other marginalized groups. Impact Hub Houston exists to level the playing field and provide equitable access to the innovation pipeline.

Describe your company's impact on the Houston innovation ecosystem.

We mobilize problem solvers to use their knowledge, skills and technology to address community challenges, demonstrating our commitment to local impact while also providing a global reach for Houston innovators. Our work extends to supporting underrepresented communities, and we work with public and private stakeholders to promote sustainable business practices that prioritize economic development, environmental stewardship and social equity.

Who is the person/people leading your company's innovation team?

Grace Rodriguez, CEO and executive director of Impact Hub Houston, leads a team that consists of Deputy Director and Co-founder of Impact Hub Houston Michelle Avalos and Community Catalyst Akeel Bernard.

Microsoft

Describe your company's work within the Houston innovation ecosystem.

Microsoft's day-to-day work is innovation, so it is only natural that we want to support the local innovation ecosystem in the cities where we operate. Our work in fostering innovation begins in middle school and continues to entrepreneurship and corporate innovation. We focus heavily on innovation in underserved communities and support for underrepresented founders. And we also have been working hard to bolster the climate tech and sustainability sectors in Houston.

Why has your company decided to support the Houston innovation ecosystem?

Our presence in Houston empowers us to better serve our customers, give employees the choice of staying close to personal networks and family, establish strong civic engagement programs that are aligned with Microsoft’s core values and more. Houston is a vibrant city where many of our consumer and business customers live and conduct business. Having a finger on the pulse of innovation where they are helping us support their needs. The Ion and the collaborative work environment we aim to foster will help us build deeper ties with Houston and the university systems, as well as others driving transformational initiatives locally. Furthermore, Houston has also been described as the most racially and ethnically diverse major metropolis in the U.S. All this makes Houston the perfect place to find and develop talent for Microsoft in a place where we can be close to our customers. The Ion itself is focused on tapping into this diversity, which is one of the reasons we chose to locate there.

Describe your company's impact on the Houston innovation ecosystem.

Microsoft is a Terrawatt sponsor of Greentown Labs and we have a separate sponsorship for the Accel program for BIPOC founders. We are a sponsor of the Ion and Rice Alliance. We also sponsor local innovation events like Climate Tech Startup Week, Tech Fest Live, and AfroTech. We seek to promote and empower founders. As an example, we invited 9 startups with underrepresented founders or CEOs to join us for CERAWeek and present in our Agora House. These founders made incredible connections throughout the week. We bring our employees into all of the programs we sponsor. Whether it is office hours for founders, one-on-one mentoring, or making industry connections, our people are helping. We take this all the way back to school, where we support organizations like SuperGirls Shine Foundation and Prairie View A&M. We also have Minority Student Day at the Ion, a summer program for students, and more. Microsoft also hosts or is involved in hundreds of local events. It's impossible to list them all, but our people are involved and doing their best to grow the ecosystem.

Who is the person/people leading your company's innovation team?

Rob Schapiro leads the office and he and his team work closely with our local Employee Resource Groups, our venture teams, and Microsoft for Startups. Amy Mueller Reynolds is our business manager who leads a lot of this work. Success has come from having a clear mission and focusing on a few programs where we could make an impact.

University of Houston Technology Bridge

Describe your company's work within the Houston innovation ecosystem.

The University of Houston has made significant strides in supporting and nurturing the startup ecosystem, both within the university and across the broader Houston region. Its efforts are designed to foster entrepreneurship, innovation and commercialization of new technologies, with a particular focus on leveraging its research capabilities and diverse student body. The Tech Bridge is a major hub for startup support and innovation. This 70-acre research park, located near the university campus, is designed to be a collaborative space for researchers, entrepreneurs and industry leaders. The Tech Bridge offers incubation and acceleration programs, commercialization support and industry collaboration.

Why has your company decided to support the Houston innovation ecosystem?

UH has made a strategic decision to support innovation and entrepreneurship for several key reasons that align with its mission to serve its students, the Houston community, and society at large. The primary motivations include but are not limited to:

  1. Economic Impact and Regional Growth: By supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, UH contributes to the city’s economic diversification and growth. Promoting startups and new ventures helps drive job creation, attracts investment, and strengthens Houston’s position as a center for innovation.
  2. Aligning with Houston’s Transition to a Knowledge Economy: As the global economy shifts towards knowledge-based industries, cities like Houston are diversifying beyond traditional sectors like oil and gas. UH recognizes that fostering innovation and entrepreneurship is critical to Houston's economic transition. UH plays a crucial role in helping the city remain competitive in emerging industries.
  3. Leveraging Research and Commercialization: UH is a research-intensive institution, with significant investments in areas like energy, healthcare, advanced materials, and data science. Supporting innovation and entrepreneurship enables the university to translate its cutting-edge research into real-world applications.

Describe your company's impact on the Houston innovation ecosystem.

The UH Technology Bridge has had a profound impact on Houston's innovation ecosystem by providing a dynamic environment where startups, researchers, and industry can collaborate, grow, and bring new technologies to market. The UH Technology Bridge hosts incubator and accelerator programs designed to help early-stage startups and research-based companies commercialize their innovations. These programs provide access to office and lab spaces, investment opportunities, networking and pilot and testing opportunities, commercialization support, collaborations and partnerships. Energy startups can collaborate with the university's energy research institutes, test prototypes, and pilot new technologies in UH’s specialized labs. The Technology Bridge’s proximity to the Texas Medical Center provides biotech and health tech startups with opportunities to develop, prototype, and pilot medical devices, diagnostics, and healthcare software.

Who is the person/people leading your company's innovation team?

Ramanan Krishnamoorti has successfully advanced UH innovation by providing a strategic vision, expanding key programs like the UH Technology Bridge, and fostering strong industry partnerships. Tanu Chatterji has been successful in leading the UH Technology Bridge through her strategic vision and leadership in fostering innovation and collaboration.

These five scaleups stood out to the judges of the 2024 Houston Innovation Awards. Photo via Getty Images

Meet 5 of the fastest-growing scaleup companies in Houston

houston innovation awards

The 2024 Houston Innovation Awards will feature a new category: Scaleup of the Year, which honors a Bayou City company that's seen impressive growth in 2024.

From biotech companies to decarbonization startups, the inaugural finalists have expanded internationally, moved to larger facilities, completed clinical trials and more. Read on to learn more about these fast-growing startups.

Secure your tickets to the 2024 Houston Innovation Awards next Thursday, November 14, at TMC Helix Park.


Cart.com, a unified commerce and logistics solutions provider for B2C and B2B companies

With the acquisition of Amify, Cart.com has expanded its workforce and grown its suite of services. Photo courtesy of Cart.com

Clinching unicorn status with its 2023 series C raise, Cart.com is on a mission to unify commerce across sales and distribution channels and digital and physical capabilities with its omnichannel enterprise-grade software, services and logistics.

Founded in 2020 with nine acquisitions and $759.2 million raised to date, according to Crunchbase, Cart.com's recent achievements includes acquiring Pacsun’s fulfillment operators, brining a 2 million-square-foot facility online, expanding its executive team, and more.

"In the last 12 months, Cart.com has dramatically grown its fulfillment network’s scale and technological capabilities," writes CEO Omail Tariq in his Houston Innovation Awards application.

"We have been laser-focused on improving quality, performance and efficiency at scale while continuing to aggressively grow our customer base, expand our capabilities to customers in new industries and grow our physical presence to new locations," he continues. "Prioritizing our strategic growth initiatives has been critical in the current macroeconomic environment as profitable growth remains paramount for our team."

In 2021, Cart.com moved its headquarters to Austin, with most of the leadership team remaining in Houston. Two years later, the company announced its HQ return to the Bayou City.

"We've found Houston's business and university communities to be incredibly supportive of our efforts and have found the city to be a place that is both easier and more affordable to bring together our global employee population at more regular intervals," Tariq adds in the app.

Coya Therapeutics, a clinical-stage company developing therapies for neurodegenerative, autoimmune, and metabolic diseases

Houston company with revolutionary neurodegenerative disease treatment shares milestones since IPOCoya Therapeutics rang the closing bell at Nasdaq last week, celebrating six months since its IPO, new data from trials, and additions to its team. Photo via LinkedIn

Revolutionary biotech company Coya Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: COYA) may have closed its IPO in January 2023 for more than $15 million, but the company has made some of its most significant strides in the development of its lead product that prevents the further spreading of neurodegenerative diseases this year.

Known as COYA 302, the product uses a unique dual mechanism that is now being developed for the treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. The company published its phase 1 proof-of-concept study in the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Neurology that showed COYA 302's ability to stop clinical progression in ALS at 24 weeks in combination therapy, which helped earn the company a $5 million in strategic investment from the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation to continue to develop the product for a planned Phase 2 trial focused on FTD.

Last year the company also added to its C Suite, naming Dr. Arun Swaminathan as chief business officer and Dr. Fred Grossman as president and chief medical officer.

Coya merged with Nicoya Health Inc. and raised $10 million in its series A in 2020.

NanoTech Materials, a chemical manufacturer that integrates novel heat-control technology with thermal insulation, fireproofing, and cool roof coatings to drastically improve efficiency and safety

Growing Houston startup moves into 43,000-square-foot facility amid 'hypergrowth phase'NanoTech Materials celebrated its move into a new facility — a 43,000-square-foot space in Katy, Texas, this week

Mike Francis, co-founder and CEO of NanoTech Materials, told InnovationMap earlier this year that it was in a "hype growth" phase—and meant it.

NanoTech, known for its proprietary Insulative Ceramic ParticleTM (ICP) that uses nanotechnology to optimize energy efficiency and heat control in the built environment, expanded into a new 43,000-square-foot facility this year and tripled its valuation in the last two years, according to its Innovation Awards application. The company also expanded into the Middle East and Singapore and successfully scaled up its NanoTech Cool Roof Coat to commercial markets.

The company closed a $5 million seed round in 2020 and an oversubscribed Series A round last year for $13 million. It was the first company selected for the Houston-based Halliburton Labs in 2021 and joined the Rice Alliance Clean Energy Accelerator in 2023.

Square Robot, an advanced robotics company serving the energy industry and beyond by providing submersible robots for storage tank inspections

Square Robot has a team of 15 in Houston. Photo courtesy\u00a0of Square Robot

Submersible robotics company Square Robot launched its Houston office in 2019 and expanded in the Bayou City this past year.

According to the company's Innovation Award application, the company doubled its fleet of autonomous, submersible robots that service the energy industry, deploying to Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Australia, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Its robots are specifically used for storage tank inspections and eliminating the need for humans to enter dangerous and toxic environments.

Square Robot moved to a new, customer-facing Houston facility this year and also developed a new innovative technology that's able to gather phased ultrasonic readings on insulated tank shells while the tank is operational.

The company closed a Series A round in 2018 for $6 million.

Syzygy Plasmonics, a company that's decarbonizing chemical production with a light-powered reactor platform that electrifies the production of hydrogen, syngas, and fuel with reliable, low-cost solutions

Houston climatetech startup selected for inaugural global entrepreneur competitionSyzygy Plasmonics is going to be competing in Gastech's new startup competition. Photo courtesy of Syzygy

Known for the world’s first light-powered reactor cell for industrial chemical reactions, Syzygy Plasmonics began taking orders earlier this year for its Rigel reactor cell after meeting initial performance targets. The cell enables a customer to produce up to five tons of low-carbon hydrogen per day.

The groundbreaking technology earned the company regional, national and global attention. Fast Company magazine placed the company on its energy innovation list. It was also named a finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 Gulf South Award and was invited to participate in Gastech's global entrepreneur competition.

The company most recently raised $76 million in a Series C round in 2022.

Clockwise from top: Lori-Lee Elliot, Anwar Sadek, Mimi Healy, Ram Prasad, Tatiana Fofanova, Prabhdeep Sekhon, Raisha Smith, and Mitra Miller.

Overheard: 2024 Houston Innovation Awards finalists share top advice for fellow founders

weighing in

There's a great deal of advice swirling around the world today about how to find success business. Why not take it from mentors and founders with a proven track record, like the finalists for this year's Houston Innovation Awards?

From how to grow your customer base to tips on combating funding gaps and making room for yourself at the table, they shared priceless tokens of advice in their applications for the 2024 awards.

Here's what some of the leading founders and supporters in Houston's Innovation community had to say.

"Just because you don't look like everyone else in there room, or aren't offered a seat at the table, doesn't mean you don't deserve to be there. If anything, it means the world needs you there more."

–Lori-Lee Elliott, Co-Founder and CEO of Dauntless XR, female-founded business finalist

"Don’t shy away from seeking non-traditional forms of funding like grants and non-dilutive capital, especially if VC funding seems out of reach. Surround yourself with mentors who understand your challenges, and be intentional about expanding your network to build strategic connections. Above all, stay confident in your vision, use every opportunity to learn, and never hesitate to give back by helping othersalong the way. Your success not only opens doors for you but for future generations of minority founders."

-Anwar Sadek, CORROLYTICS CEO and co-founder, minority-founded business finalist

"Being an entrepreneur is fun and hard and exhilarating and frustrating and simple and complicated and joyful and exhausting and worth it. Make a plan so you can change your plan because the market changed, because the competition grew, because your data showed something different than what you expected, because you hired or lost a team member, because you raised more money, because you didn't raise enough money. Take the time to make the plan and think about all the ways it could change, so that whenit does, it is not the first time you thought about what to do because it will be too late."

–Mimi Healy, CEO of StimulusBio, mentor of the Year finalist

"My go-to advice for entrepreneurs is to prioritize their health while building their business. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle, but long-term success comes from sustaining your physical and mental well-being. Entrepreneurs need to be at their best to make good decisions, lead effectively, and navigate challenges, so focusing on health isn’t just a luxury—it’s essential.Another key habit I always recommend is setting aside at least one hour a day to actively find new customers. Customer acquisition is the lifeblood of any business, and dedicating this time daily can help you build momentum, create relationships, and discover new opportunities that may have been overlooked."

–Ram Prasad, CEO of Delence, minority-owned business finalist

"Learn to sit on the other side of the table and think about things from the other person's perspective. When seeking funding, this means thinking about the investor's point of view. When selling, it means thinking about the customer's POV. How are you—the founder—helping them win?"

--Mitra Miller, Vice President of Houston Angel Network, mentor of the Year finalist

"Leverage the strength of your community. And as a founder, you are the secret sauce, not the imposter. Building a network of supportive peers and mentors who understand your unique challenges can be a game-changer. At EveryDopeGirl, we've seen how powerful it is when minority founders come together to share resources, insights, and encouragement. Don't hesitate to seek out and participate in events that foster these connections. Remember, your journey is not just about overcoming obstacles, but also about celebrating your successes and the unique perspectives you bring to the table."

-Raisha Smith, founder of EveryDopeGirl, female-founded business finalist

""Focus on your strengths rather than getting caught up in perceived gaps or doubts. Embrace the diversity in your team, just as we’ve done at Gold H2, where 50 percent of our team is female and 80 percent are visible minorities. Diversity brings strength ... Trust yourself, and don’t be afraid to shape your journey in both your career and personal life."

–Prabhdeep Sekhon, CEO of Gold H2, minority-owned business finalist

"Surround yourself with two types of people: the lovers and the fighters. First, surround yourself with people that love you and believe in your vision–they'll be the ones who pick you up when your spirit takes a beating and you feel like giving up. Second, surround yourself with those who you can categorically trust to fight to the bitter end-when life happens, they'll be the ones running the ship andkeeping the dream alive while you sort things out. These will almost never be the same people, so you have to find both."

-Tatiana Fofanova, CEO of Koda Health, female-founded business finalist

Clockwise from top left: Sean Kelly of Amperon, Dianna Liu of ARIXTechnologies, Matthew Dawson of Elementium Materials, Vibhu Sharma of InnoVent Renewables, Cindy Taff of Sage Geosystems, and Emma Konet of Tierra Climate. Photos courtesy

Overheard: Houston's top energy transition founders explain their biggest challenges

Houston Innovation Awards

From finding funding to navigating the pace of traditional oil and gas company tech adoption, energy transition companies face their fair share of challenges.

This year's Houston Innovation Awards finalists in the Energy Transition category explained what their biggest challenge has been and how they've overcome it. See what they said below, and make sure to secure your tickets to the Nov. 14 event to see which of these finalists win the award.

"The evolving nature of the energy industry presents opportunities to solve some of our industry's greatest challenges. At Amperon we help optimize grid reliability and stability with the power of AI demand forecasting."

— Sean Kelly, CEO of Amperon, an AI platform powering the smart grid of the future

"The biggest challenge in leading an energy transition-focused startup has been balancing the urgency for sustainable solutions with the slow pace of change in traditional industries like oil and gas. Many companies are cautious about adopting new technologies, especially when it comes to integrating sustainability initiatives. We overcame this by positioning our solutions not just as environmentally friendly, but as tools that improve safety, efficiency, and cost savings. By aligning our value proposition with their operational goals and demonstrating real, measurable benefits, we were able to gain traction and drive adoption in industries that are traditionally resistant to change."

— Dianna Liu, CEO of ARIXTechnologies, an integrated robotics and data analytics company that delivers inspection services through its robotics platforms

"Scaling up production of hard tech is a major challenge. Thankfully, we recruited top-notch talent with experience in technology scale-up and chemical processes. In addition, we've begun building partnerships with some of the world's largest chemical manufacturers in our space who are excited to be a part of our journey and could rapidly accelerate our go to market strategy. We have significant demand for our product as early as 2025, so partnering with these companies to scale-up will bring our technology to market years ahead of doing it alone."

— Matthew Dawson, CEO of Elementium Materials, a battery technology with liquid electrolyte solutions

"Our pyrolysis reactor is a proprietary design that was developed during Covid. We ran simulations to prove that it works, but it was not easy to test it in a pilot facility, let alone scaling it up. We managed ... to run our pilot plant studies, while working with them remotely. We proved that our reactor worked and produced high quality products. Later, we built our own pilot plant R&D facility to continue running tests and optimizing the process. Then, there was the challenge of scaling it up to commercial size. ... We put together a task force of four different companies to come together to design and build this complex reactor in record time."

— Vibhu Sharma, CEO of InnoVentRenewables, a startup with proprietary continuous pyrolysis technology that converts waste tires, plastics, and biomass into valuable fuels and chemicals

"Energy storage and geothermal power generation are capital-intensive infrastructure projects, requiring investors with a deep commitment and the patience in terms of years to allow the technology to be developed and proven in the field. One challenge is finding that niche of investors with the vision to join our journey. We have succeeded in raising our $30 million series A with these types of investors, whom we’re confident will continue the journey as we scale."

— Cindy Taff, CEO of SageGeosystems, an energy company focused on developing and deploying advanced geothermal technologies to provide reliable power and sustainable energy storage solutions regardless of geography

"The biggest challenge we've faced has been to bring together massive independent power producers on one side who are investing hundreds of millions of dollars into grid infrastructure with multi- national tech giants on the other that don't have experience working much with energy storage. As a startup with only four employees, gaining credibility with these players was critical. We overcame this hurdle by becoming the preeminent thought leader on storage emissions, through publishing white papers, discussing the issues on podcasts, and (more)."

— Emma Konet, CTO of TierraClimate, a software provider that helps grid-scale batteries reduce carbon emissions

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This article originally ran on EnergyCapital.

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2 Houston space tech cos. celebrate major tech milestones

big wins

Two Houston aerospace companies — Intuitive Machines and Venus Aerospace — have reached testing milestones for equipment they’re developing.

Intuitive Machines recently completed the first round of “human in the loop” testing for its Moon RACER (Reusable Autonomous Crewed Exploration Rover) lunar terrain vehicle. The company conducted the test at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

RACER is one of three lunar terrain vehicles being considered by NASA for the space agency’s Artemis initiative, which will send astronauts to the moon.

NASA says human-in-the-loop testing can reveal design flaws and technical problems, and can lead to cost-efficient improvements. In addition, it can elevate the design process from 2D to 3D modeling.

Intuitive Machines says the testing “proved invaluable.” NASA astronauts served as test subjects who provided feedback about the Moon RACER’s functionality.

The Moon RACER, featuring a rechargeable electric battery and a robotic arm, will be able to accommodate two astronauts and more than 880 pounds of cargo. It’s being designed to pull a trailer loaded with more than 1,760 pounds of cargo.

Another Houston company, Venus Aerospace, recently achieved ignition of its VDR2 rocket engine. The engine, being developed in tandem with Ohio-based Velontra — which aims to produce hypersonic planes — combines the functions of a rotating detonation rocket engine with those of a ramjet.

A rotating detonation rocket engine, which isn’t equipped with moving parts, rapidly burns fuel via a supersonic detonation wave, according to the Air Force Research Laboratory. In turn, the engine delivers high performance in a small volume, the lab says. This savings in volume can offer range, speed, and affordability benefits compared with ramjets, rockets, and gas turbines.

A ramjet is a type of “air breathing” jet engine that does not include a rotary engine, according to the SKYbrary electronic database. Instead, it uses the forward motion of the engine to compress incoming air.

A ramjet can’t function at zero airspeed, so it can’t power an aircraft during all phases of flight, according to SKYbrary. Therefore, it must be paired with another kind of propulsion, such as a rotating detonation rocket engine, to enable acceleration at a speed where the ramjet can produce thrust.

“With this successful test and ignition, Venus Aerospace has demonstrated the exceptional ability to start a [ramjet] at takeoff speed, which is revolutionary,” the company says.

Venus Aerospace plans further testing of its engine in 2025.

Venus Aerospace, recently achieved ignition of its VDR2 rocket engine. Photo courtesy of Venus Aerospace

METRO rolls out electric shuttles for downtown Houston commuters

on a roll

The innovative METRO microtransit program will be expanding to the downtown area, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County announced on Monday.

“Microtransit is a proven solution to get more people where they need to go safely and efficiently,” Houston Mayor John Whitmire said in a statement. “Connected communities are safer communities, and bringing microtransit to Houston builds on my promise for smart, fiscally-sound infrastructure growth.”

The program started in June 2023 when the city’s nonprofit Evolve Houston partnered with the for-profit Ryde company to offer free shuttle service to residents of Second and Third Ward. The shuttles are all-electric and take riders to bus stops, medical buildings, and grocery stores. Essentially, it works as a traditional ride-share service but focuses on multiple passengers in areas where bus access may involve hazards or other obstacles. Riders access the system through the Ride Circuit app.

So far, the microtransit system has made a positive impact in the wards according to METRO. This has led to the current expansion into the downtown area. The system is not designed to replace the standard bus service, but to help riders navigate to it through areas where bus service is more difficult.

“Integrating microtransit into METRO’s public transit system demonstrates a commitment to finding innovative solutions that meet our customers where they are,” said METRO Board Chair Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock. “This on-demand service provides a flexible, easier way to reach METRO buses and rail lines and will grow ridership by solving the first- and last-mile challenges that have hindered people’s ability to choose METRO.”

The City of Houston approved a renewal of the microtransit program in July, authorizing Evolve Houston to spend $1.3 million on it. Some, like council member Letitia Plummer, have questioned whether microtransit is really the future for METRO as the service cuts lines such as the University Corridor.

However, the microtransit system serves clear and longstanding needs in Houston. Getting to and from bus stops in the city with its long blocks, spread-out communities, and fickle pedestrian ways can be difficult, especially for poor or disabled riders. While the bus and rail work fine for longer distances, shorter ones can be underserved.

Even in places like downtown where stops are plentiful, movement between them can still involve walks of a mile or more, and may not serve for short trips.

“Our microtransit service is a game-changer for connecting people, and we are thrilled to launch it in downtown Houston,” said Evolve executive director Casey Brown. “The all-electric, on-demand service complements METRO’s existing fixed-route systems while offering a new solution for short trips. This launch marks an important milestone for our service, and we look forward to introducing additional zones in the new year — improving access to public transit and local destinations.”

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This article originally ran on CultureMap.

Cart.com's M&A move, energy innovators recognized, and more top articles from the week

trending news

Editor's note:Let's roundup the most-read Houston innovation news from the week. Trending Houston tech and startup articles from InnovationMap and its daily newsletter included a new health tech grant for Houston researchers, Cart.com's latest acquisition, and more.

Houston med school lands $3.5M grant to rollout genetic telehealth platform for underserved newborns

Baylor College of Medicine received $3.5 million to expand its telehealth platform to improve genomic diagnostics and care for critically ill newborns in underserved neonatal intensive care units in West and South Texas. Photo by Tim Bish on Unsplash

Baylor College of Medicine received $3.5 million to help hospitals in Texas better care for and diagnose some of the state's most vulnerable patients.

The funds come from the National Human Genome Research Institute for the Making Genomics Accessible to Newborns in Texas, or MAGNET, program. They'll be used to adapt BCM's Consultagene telehealth platform to be used in underserved neonatal intensive care units in West and South Texas, according to a statement.

Families in this region of the state currently can travel up to 300 miles to reach the nearest in-state geneticist, according to MAGNET. The program aims to help close that gap through BCM's established remote consultation service. Investigators also plan to create educational videos in English and Spanish to educate providers and patient caregivers on genetic diagnoses.

“Only 20 years ago, less than 3 percent of genetic conditions in newborns could be molecularly diagnosed,” Dr. Brendan Lee, co-principal investigator and professor and chair of the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics and Robert and Janice McNair Endowed Chair in Molecular and Human Genetics at BCM, says in a statement. Continue reading.

Houston e-commerce platform expands logistics network with acquisition of fulfillment operations arm

Cart.com has acquired OceanX, adding two new facilities and expanding its logistics network to enhance efficiency and support high-volume beauty, wellness, and lifestyle brands. Photo courtesy of Cart.com

A Houston e-commerce unicorn has made its latest strategic acquisition.

Cart.com, which operates a multichannel commerce platform, announced that it has acquired Guthy-Renker's wholly-owned fulfillment operations arm OceanX. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. Around 200 OceanX employees will be assumed onto the Cart.com team, and the fast-growing company will add two new facilities totaling over 600,000 square feet to its network, expanding to include a West Coast distribution hub in Southern California and its third facility near Columbus, Ohio.

"Acquiring OceanX is part of Cart.com’s strategy to continue to scale our platform and capabilities across industries, leveraging our proprietary technology to improve efficiency and deliver superior results to our clients and their customers,” Omair Tariq, Cart.com founder and CEO, says in a news release. “By deploying our Constellation OMS and WMS software and seasoned operations team across these two new facilities, we will improve order visibility, labor efficiency, shipping costs and customer satisfaction for the benefit of our new clients.” Continue reading.

3 clean energy innovators make Forbes list of top young energy professionals

Three young professionals have made the cut for this year's Forbes Under 30 list in the Energy and Green Tech list for 2025. Photos via Forbes

A handful of Houstonians have been named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Energy and Green Tech list for 2025.

Kip Daujotas is an investment associate at Aramco Ventures, a $7.5 billion venture capital arm of the world's largest energy company. Houston is the Americas headquarters for Saudi Aramco. Since its inception in 2012, Aramco Ventures has invested in more than 100 tech startups. Daujotas joined the team over two years ago after studying for an MBA at Yale University. He led Aramco’s first direct air capture (DAC) investment — in Los Alamos, New Mexico-based Spiritus.

Also representing the corporate side of the industry, Wenting Gao immigrated from Beijing to obtain an economics degree from Harvard University, then got a job at consulting giant McKinsey, where she recently became the firm’s youngest partner. Gao works on bringing sustainability strategies to energy and materials companies as well as investors. Her areas of expertise include battery materials, waste, biofuels, and low-carbon products.

Last but not least, Houston entrepreneur Rawand Rasheed is co-founder and CEO of Houston-based Helix Earth. He co-founded the startup after earning a doctoral degree from Rice University and co-inventing Helix’s core technology while at NASA, first as a graduate research fellow and then as an engineer. The core technology, a space capsule air filtration system, has been applied to retrofitting HVAC systems for commercial buildings. Continue reading.

Rice University, Houston Methodist launch new institute to revolutionize health care through AI, innovation

Rice University and Houston Methodist have partnered to create the Digital Health Institute, combining advanced technology, artificial intelligence, and interdisciplinary expertise to transform health care. Photos courtesy

Rice University and Houston Methodist have established through a multi-year joint effort the Digital Health Institute, which aims to transform healthcare through advanced technology and the collaborative expertises of the university and hospital.

Rice’s leadership in engineering, digital health and artificial intelligence will combine with Houston Methodist’s academic medicine and research infrastructure.

“This partnership embodies Rice’s bold vision to lead at the forefront of innovation in health and responsible AI,” Rice President Reginald DesRoches says in a news release. “By combining our strengths with Houston Methodist, we are creating a transformative platform to address critical challenges in healthcare with solutions that are ethical, accessible and impactful. This initiative exemplifies our commitment to driving interdisciplinary collaboration and advancing global health for the benefit of humanity.” Continue reading.

2 Houston professors named as fellows for prestigious group of inventors

Omid Veiseh from Rice University and Edward Ratner from the University of Houston have been named 2024 National Academy of Inventors fellows for their innovative contributions. Courtesy photos

The highest professional distinction awarded to academic inventors, the National Academy of Inventors, have elected two fellows from Rice University and the University of Houston for its 2024 class.

Edward Ratner, computer information systems lecturer in the Department of Information Science Technology at the University of Houston’s Cullen College of Engineering, and Omid Veiseh, bioengineer at Rice University and director of the Biotech Launch Pad, were two of the 170 honorees representing 39 states and 12 countries.

The 2024 class will be honored and presented their medals on June 26 in Atlanta, Georgia by a senior official of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Continue reading.

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