3 Houston innovators to know this week

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This week's roundup of Houston innovators includes Steffie Tomson of Getaway Sticks ad Ed Pettitt and Paresh Patel of InnoGrid. Courtesy photos

Editor's note: In this week's roundup of Houston innovators to know, I'm introducing you to three local innovators across industries — from innovative merchandise to microgrid technology — recently making headlines in Houston innovation.

Steffie Tomson, founder of Getaway Sticks

Steffie Tomson founded a company to prioritize comfort — without sacrificing style — for women on the go. Photo via getawaysticks.com

Houstonian Steffie Tomson, a neuroscientist by trade and the founder and CEO of footwear startup Getaway Sticks, had an idea for a different kind of shoe — one that was redesigned to prioritize women’s comfort.

“I thought, ‘why can’t we start with a sneaker material and then build a heel around it?’” she tells InnovationMap. “I started just slicing everyone else’s shoes and now I’m more convinced than ever that our shoe is different.”

Tomson was inspired to design the inaugural shoe for Getaway Sticks after her own struggle with heels, walking in the bustling Texas Medical Center from building to building for meetings. As a mom of two and a problem solver, she knew there had to be a better mousetrap. Click here to read more.

Ed Pettitt and Paresh Patel join the Houston Innovators Podcast to discuss InnoGrid's potential impact on equitable power. Photos courtesy of InnoGrid

With an unstable energy grid, two Houstonians know at least one solution in the evolving energy industry: Microgrids.

Ed Pettitt and Paresh Patel co-founded InnoGrid, a social enterprise working to establish community microgrids in lower income areas — neighborhoods that are most at risk of devastating power outages.

"We want to convert the commercial microgrid model for low and moderate income and undresourced residential communities," Patel explains on the latest episode of the Houston Innovators Podcast. Click here to read more and stream the episode.


Ed Pettitt and Paresh Patel join the Houston Innovators Podcast to discuss InnoGrid's potential impact on equitable power. Photos courtesy of InnoGrid

Houston founders aim to provide equity through energy resiliency

Houston innovators podcast episode 143

As temperatures climb and devastating natural disasters continue to test the power grid, two Houston innovators have a solution: Smart microgrids.

"Microgrids have been around for a very long time," Paresh Patel, co-founder of InnoGrid, says on the Houston Innovators Podcast. "We're primed here in Houston and in Texas to really see microgrids go mainstream. ... People want to see that they have control and are in charge of their own power."

Patel co-founded InnoGrid with Ed Pettitt and a few other collaborators following the 2020 Houston Climathon. The social enterprise is working to establish community microgrids in lower income areas — neighborhoods that are most at risk of devastating power outages.

"We want to convert the commercial microgrid model for low and moderate income and undresourced residential communities," Patel explains.

And there's never been a better time to shine a spotlight on microgrids as a solution to unreliable power systems, Pettitt says.

"We're dealing with massive inflation — costs are going up especially in food and energy," he explains on the show. "Even prior to this time of inflation, electricity prices in the US were expected to increase across the board. Hundreds of thousands of people right now today are being pushed below the poverty line because of increased energy costs. We need to be more creative in how we upgrade our infrastructure."

And the current grid system is well overdue for an upgrade. The microgrid system fits right in with the shared economy we live in today, Patel says, and it allows for more generation of energy that is decentralized, digitalized, decarbonized, and democratized — the four Ds as he says.

"When you consider our current grid system, it is a vestige of the industrial revolution — it's 140 years old. That business model is ripe for innovation," Patel says.

"We need to accelerate deployment of microgrid models," he continues. "I don't think we can afford to update our current grid system — it'll cost $2 trillion."

Most importantly, these microgrids need to be implemented in an equitable way, the founders say, and InnoGrid has its eyes on one Houston area in particular. The Innovation Corridor, which spans from the Texas Medical Center to Downtown Houston, would be the ideal region to deploy the technology.

"If you look at the innovation corridor, it forms the spine of the city. You have so many important municipal buildings, first-responding organizations, and a large amount of affordable housing in the area. There's critical resources here that we want to make sure the lights stay on in power disasters," Pettit says. "One of the things we believe at InnoGrid is that where you live shouldn't determine whether or not you survive a national weather event. We want to make sure we provide energy stability in the communities that need it most."

To make this dream into a reality, InnoGrid needs the right partnerships and support in the area — and the founders have made progress. InnoGrid recently participated in the Ion Smart and Resilient Cities Accelerator and has a relationship with Greentown Houston across the street.

Eventually, as Pettit says, InnoGrid wants to help lead Houston to becoming a hub for microgrid innovation.

"We're looking at other cities — like Chicago and Boston — and how they've deployed their microgrids and making sure we're bringing those best practices in Houston," Pettit says. "Eventually we want to be the leader in developing these microgrid best practices as the energy capital of the world."

Patel and Pettitt share more about InnoGrid and microgrid technology on the podcast. Listen to the interview below — or wherever you stream your podcasts — and subscribe for weekly episodes.


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11 can't-miss Houston business and innovation events for August

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Editor's note: The tech event scene is heating up in August. From insightful talks to a young professionals summit, here's what not to miss and how to register. Please note: this article may be updated to include additional event listings.

Aug. 5 – Tech and Tequila Talk

Hear from guest speaker David Cohen, founder & CEO of Dallas-based Superposition, at the latest installment of Tech and Tequila Talk. The event will focus on breaking down ambiguity in data and AI projects through collaborative workshops.

This event takes place Tuesday, Aug. 5, from 5-7 p.m. at the Ion. Click here to register.

Aug. 11-16 – Black is Tech Week

Black is Tech Week will bring events for tech professionals, entrepreneurs and students to Houston through summits, career fairs, networking events and more. The event will feature speakers from Amazon, Microsoft, Google and many other companies.

This event begins Monday, Aug. 1. Find more information here.

Aug. 12 – NASA Stories at the Ion

Head to the Ion for the new morning series spotlighting the human side of space exploration. Each session will feature personal and powerful stories from astronauts and key NASA personnel. Anthony Vareha, NASA Flight Director and Flight Operations Directorate, whose primary duty is the safe operation of the International Space Station will speak this month.

This event begins Tuesday, Aug. 12, from 8:30-10 a.m. Find more information here.

Aug. 14 – Pickle Lab’s One-Year Anniversary Celebration

Enjoy an afternoon of open-play pickleball, beats by a live DJ, raffle giveaways and free swag at the first anniversary celebration of Pickle Lab in the Ion District. WonderPops will provide complimentary pops while supplies last, and Second Draught will serve each guest a free beverage.

This event takes place Thursday, Aug. 14, from 4-7 p.m. RSVP here.

Aug 19 – Navigating the Economy: Insights from Darren King

Darren King, chief investment officer of Moody Bank, will share his expert insights on the state of the economy and its impact on Houston’s future. Gain a deeper understanding of market trends, economic shifts and what they mean for businesses and individuals in the city.

This event takes place Tuesday, Aug. 19, from 11:30-1 p.m. RSVP here.

Aug. 21 – Transition on Tap

Greentown Labs’ signature networking event returns in August to foster conversations and connections within Houston's climate and energy transition ecosystem. Entrepreneurs, investors, students, philanthropists and more are invited to attend, meet colleagues, discuss solutions and engage with the growing community.

This event takes place Thursday, Aug. 21, at 5:30 p.m. at Greentown Labs. Click here to register.

Aug. 22 – Determined to Lead Women Lunch: Investing Through Market Cycles with Ellen Wilkirson

EnergyTech Nexus hosts a monthly Determined to Lead Women’s Lunch as part of its ongoing efforts to create safe spaces for women leaders in the energy transition to connect, learn and lead. The August session features Ellen Wilkirson, principal at Rev Innovations. With deep experience across traditional and transition energy sectors, Wilkirson will share how she’s approached investing through multiple market and commodity cycles and what it means to be a clean energy investor in today’s evolving landscape.

This event takes place Friday, Aug. 22, at 1 p.m. Click here to register.

Aug. 26 – Software Day at the Ion: Positioning your Startup to Capitalize on Market Trends

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 month’s panel discussion will feature Remington Tonar, co-founder of Cart.com, and Josh Teekell, founder of SmartAC.com.

This event takes place Tuesday, Aug. 26, from 3:30-7 p.m. Click here to register.

Aug. 27 – Future of Flight: Inside Venus Aerospace with Founder Sassie Duggleby

Join EO Houston for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes conversation with Sassie Duggleby, co-founder and CEO of Venus Aerospace, a Houston-based company pioneering breakthrough propulsion systems for hypersonic and space applications.

This event takes place Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 10 a.m. at Venus Aerospace. It is open to EO members and partners only. Click here to register.

Aug. 27 – The Future of American Science: A Conversation With US Rep. Brian Babin

U.S. Rep. Dr. Brian Babin and Paul Cherukuri, vice president of innovation at Rice University, will discuss how the United States remains at the forefront of space exploration, emerging technologies and scientific advancement, as well as what's next and what's at stake for the future of science policy.

This event takes place Wednesday, Aug. 27, from 3-4 p.m. at James A. Baker III Hall on Rice University's campus. Click here to register.

Aug. 28 – HYPE Summit

The third annual Houston Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (HYPE) Summit is a day-long conference featuring panel discussions with business and thought leaders, workshop-style breakout sessions and networking opportunities. This year's event—under the theme Step Into the Spotlight—will feature speakers from First Bight Ventures, Bot Auto, Regions Bank, Lopez Negrete Communications and Umbrage.

This event takes place Thursday, Aug. 28, from 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Click here to register.

Houston's 13 best midsize companies and more innovation news to know

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Editor's note: The top innovation news from the second half of the month includes new leaders at innovative Houston organizations and a ranking of the best midsize businesses from Time. Here are the five most-read InnovationMap stories from July 15-31, 2025:

13 Houston businesses appear on Time's best midsize companies of 2025

13 Houston-area businesses ranked on Time magazine's best midsize companies list. Photo via Getty Images

Houston-based engineering firm KBR tops the list of Texas businesses that appear on Time magazine and Statista’s new ranking of the country’s best midsize companies. KBR holds down the No. 30 spot, earning a score of 91.53 out of 100. Twelve other Houston-based companies landed on the list. Continue reading.

Digital Health Institute's new exec director aims to lead innovation and commercialization efforts

Pothik Chatterjee was named executive director of Rice University's and Houston Methodist's Digital Health Institute, effective May 1. Photo courtesy Rice University.

Though our existences have become deeply entangled with technology, our health has been slower to catch up. The creation late last year of the Digital Health Institute was a major step into the future for both Rice University and Houston Methodist, for whom the institute is a joint venture. The latest news for the Digital Health Institute is the appointment of Pothik Chatterjee to the role of executive director. Continue reading.

Houston hardtech accelerator names 8 scientists to 2025 cohort

Activate Houston has named eight fellows to its 2025 cohort. Photo courtesy the Ion.

National hardtech-focused organization Activate has named its 2025 cohort of scientists, which includes new members to Activate Houston. The Houston hub was introduced last year, and joins others in Boston, New York, and Berkley, California, where Activate is headquartered. Collectively, the 2025 Activate Fellowship consists of 47 scientists and engineers from nine U.S. states. Continue reading.

Rice biotech accelerator appoints 2 leading researchers to team

The Rice Biotech Launch Pad has named two bioengineering professors to its leadership team. Photo courtesy Rice University.

The Rice Biotech Launch Pad, which is focused on expediting the translation of Rice University’s health and medical technology discoveries into cures, has named Amanda Nash and Kelsey L. Swingle to its leadership team. Both are assistant professors in Rice’s Department of Bioengineering and will bring “valuable perspective” to the Houston-based accelerator. Continue reading.

Innovation Labs @ TMC set to launch for early-stage life science startups

Innovation Labs @ TMC will open next year at the TMC Innovation Factory. Photo courtesy JLABS.

The Texas Medical Center will launch its new Innovation Labs @ TMC in January 2026 to better support life science startups working within the innovation hub. The 34,000-square-foot space, located in the TMC Innovation Factory will feature labs and life science offices and will be managed by TMC. Continue reading.

Intuitive Machines lands $9.8M to complete orbital transfer vehicle

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Houston-based Intuitive Machines, which rang the NASDAQ opening bell July 31, has secured a $9.8 million Phase Two government contract for its orbital transfer vehicle.

The contract will push the project through its Critical Design Review phase, which is the final engineering milestone before manufacturing can begin, according to a news release from the company.

Intuitive Machine's orbital transfer vehicle (OTV) is designed to transfer payloads between Earth's orbit and the Moon and is built around the company's Nova-C lander, which has been a part of two successful lunar missions.

“Our OTV is a direct evolution of our lunar surface delivery missions—positioning us to expand into the rapidly growing market for in-space logistics,” Steve Altemus, Intuitive Machines CEO, said in the release. “We’re leveraging our flight-proven technology to operate a mission-ready service that delivers customer payloads across orbits—from Earth to the Moon and beyond.”

The company says the fast, flexible vehicle could be used for orbital servicing, logistics and communications in medium earth orbit, low lunar orbit and a variety of other destinations.

Intuitive Machines expects to begin manufacturing and flight integration as soon as 2026, once the design review is completed.

The non-NASA contract is for an undisclosed government customer, which Intuitive Machines says reinforces its "strategic move to diversify its customer base and deliver orbital capabilities that span commercial, civil, and national security space operations."

The company has received millions from NASA for its lunar rover, lunar lander, science and technology payloads, and communications and navigation services over the years. It also recently landed up to $10 million to help develop an Earth re-entry vehicle and in-space biomanufacturing lab from Texas's Space Exploration and Research Fund.

Earlier this month, the City of Houston agreed to add three acres of commercial space for Intuitive Machines at the Houston Spaceport at Ellington Airport. Read more here.

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