10+ can't-miss Houston business and innovation events for February

WHERE TO BE

Here are over 10 can't-miss events for Houston innovators in February. Photo via Getty Images

From networking meetups to speaker expert speaker summits, February 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 may be updated to add more events.

February 2 — Pull Up & Pitch Houston

Pull Up & Pitch brings the pitch competition from the “business stage” to your neighborhood, focusing on normalizing business pitching, creating visibility for innovative ideas, supporting small business revitalization, and educating the public on how to ask for and manage finances. It’s a fast-paced, highly entertaining two-round competition where Black & Brown founders, small business owners, and entrepreneurs shoot their shot with a 60-second elevator pitch to access up to $50,000 in grants to grow their businesses.

This event is Friday, February 2, from 10 am to 1 pm at The Cannon West Houston. Click here to register.

February 2 — GROW Climate Connect Mixer

Learn how to get involved with Green Resources and Opportunities Workforce at the Networking Happy Hour, Black History Month event. Connect with like-minded professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. Celebrate the rich history and achievements of the Black community during this special month. Don't miss out on this opportunity to expand your network and make meaningful connections.

This event is Friday, February 2, from 6:30 to 8 pm at Chapman & Kirby. Click here to register.

February 6 — Protecting Your Digital Innovations: Safeguarding Strategies

Gain insights into how to best protect your data-driven innovations and software systems from being misappropriated by your competition. Richard Gilly, a high-tech attorneys for RPG Law Group, will be taking a close look at the different strategies for protecting software and other energy industry innovations.

This event is Tuesday, February 6, from 8 to 10 am at the Cannon. Click here to register.

February 6 — Future of Energy Summit

Hear from a panel of Texas energy experts about the work they’re doing to limit growing energy costs' impact on their businesses, utility, and electric grid level. Participants will leave the panel with clear strategies to implement in their own operations. Lunch and an opportunity to network with industry peers will be provided post-panel.

This event is Tuesday, February 6, from 9:15 am to 1 pm at AC Hotel by Marriott Houston Downtown. Click here to register.

February 6 — Women on Boards Luncheon

Kick off 2024 by setting yourself up for a new stage in your career - lending your expertise to public and private companies. Speakers will discuss what to expect, how to get started, and network with other women board members and executive search companies.

This event is Tuesday, February 6, from 11 am to 1 pm at Junior League of Houston. Click here to register.

February 9 — Greater Houston Partnership Annual Meeting

The Greater Houston Partnership's Annual Meeting will set the pace for 2024, convening business and community leaders to celebrate Houston's and the Partnership's work to advance growth and opportunity. The Partnership’s 2024 Annual Meeting will be welcoming incoming board chair Eric Mullins, Chairman and CEO, Lime Rock Resources.

This event is Friday, February 9, from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm at Marriott Marquis Houston. Click here to register.

February 13 — Ken Kennedy Institute Lecture: Jeff Dean (Google)

The Ken Kennedy Institute will have Chief Scientist at Google, Inc. — Google DeepMind and Google Research, for a Distinguished Lecture at Rice University. Dean will highlight several exciting trends in the field of AI and machine learning.

This event is Tuesday, February 13, from 4 to 6 pm at Rice University. Click here to register.

February 13 — The Woodlands 1 Year Anniversary Happy Hour

Head to the first year anniversary celebration of The Cannon The Woodlands to network and meet new members, enjoy drinks and snacks, and fun photo opportunities.

This event is Tuesday, February 13, from 3 to 5 pm at The Cannon The Woodlands. Click here to register.

February 19 — Health & MedTech Mingle

Connect with other like-minded innovators and learn more about the Houston Methodist Tech Hub at the Ion while engaging in unique cross-industry collaboration.

This month's featured speakers are:
Ginny Torno, Executive Director, Innovation & IT Clinical, Ancillary, and Research Systems at Houston Methodist
Lindsay Randle, Director of Practice Operations, Virtual Administration at Houston Methodist
Meagan Howard, Manager, Virtual Inpatient Medicine at Houston Methodist

This event is Monday, February 19, from 5 to 6 pm at the Ion. Click here to register.

February 20 — Hydrogen Industry Networking

Enjoy an afternoon of networking with Greentown startups in the hydrogen sector and hearing about the new technologies that will bring a net-zero future. Hear from Greentown startups innovating in the hydrogen space and network with business leaders from various industry sectors.

This event is Tuesday, February 20, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at Greentown Labs. Click here to register.

February 25 — Houston Biggest Business, Tech & Entrepreneur Networking Soiree

Hosted by the Houston Entrepreneurs, Startup & Business Coalition, all tech startups, entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals are invited to this networking event. Make connections with co-founders, partners, coaches or core team members for your start-up, or meet fellow professionals and mingle with makers of great and big ideas.

This event is Sunday, February 25, from 6 to 8:30 pm at Bungalow Heights. Click here to register.

February 27 — Empowerment Through Investment

Greentown Labs and The Ion District are hosting the 4th installment of the Blackstreet: Celebrating Black Innovators event series. Listen in on a panel discussion with African-American investors, and learn about the new Houston Ion District Investor Activation training program for angel investors and early-stage investors.

This event is Tuesday, February 27, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Greentown Houston. Click here to register.

February 28 — Ignite Healthcare's Cocktails & Conversations

To kick off 2024, Cocktails & Conversations will premiere the award winning documentary, Show Her the Money with an expert panel conversation following the premiere. Here are the panelists:

Catherine Gray, the film's producer, Founder of She Angels Investors
Wendy Ryan, Managing Director, Golden Seeds, and featured in the film
Somer Baburek, CEO of HERA Biotech, a San Antonio-based women's health startup and alumni of Ignite's accelerator program

This event is Wednesday, February 28, at 5 pm, at Houston Health Museum's McGovern Theater. Click here to register.

February 28 — CodeLaunch Houston 2024 Startup Competition

CodeLaunch is returning to Houston for the third cohort of its tech startup competition and brings with it an innovation space tradeshow, jam-packed with 30+ exhibits, angels, and investors, who offer the opportunity to network with sources of funding.

This event is Wednesday, February 28, from 4 to 9 pm at Bayou Music Center. Click here to register.

February 29 — Thinking Roadmap- Post Pandemic: Health, Wealth & Tech

Delve into the future of health, wealth, and technology in a post-pandemic world as industry experts discuss the latest trends, insights, and innovations. Network with like-minded individuals and gain valuable knowledge to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Explore how technology can revolutionize wellness, transform the financial landscape, and drive economic growth.

This event is Thursday, February 29, from 5:30 to 9 pm at the Ion. Click here to register.

Check out this curated list of innovation events in Houston for February. Photo via Getty Images

10 can't-miss Houston business and innovation events for February

where to be

It's time to look at what's on the agenda for February for Houston innovators — from pitch competitions to networking events.

Here's a roundup of events not to miss this month. Mark your calendars and register accordingly.

Note: This post might be updated to add more events.

Feb. 8 — Digital Marketing Luncheon

Join Insperity, a partner of The Cannon, and digital marketing expert, Danny Gavin, at The Cannon Downtown for a lunch and learn.

The event is Wednesday, February 8, at noon, at The Cannon Downtown. Click here to register.

Feb. 9 — Innovation on Tap: Fred Higgs, Engineering at Rice University

Discuss research in the speaker’s engineering lab at Rice University on key Industry 4.0 technologies, namely additive manufacturing.

The event is Thursday, February 9, at 4 pm, at the Ion. Click here to register.

February 10 — Women in Leadership Conference 

The 23rd annual Women in Leadership Conference will be held in-person at Rice University. The conference has been a beacon of inspiration in the Houston community, empowering women to accomplish their career goals. In panel discussions and interactive workshops, attendees hear from leaders across different industries, explore various approaches to leadership, and discuss future opportunities for success.

The event is Friday, February 10, at 8 am, at McNair Hall at Rice University. Click here to register.

Feb. 15 — Real Talk from Real VCs

Join this event for a candid fireside chat on venture capital and its role in supporting and growing innovative startups.

The event is Wednesday, February 15, at 5:30 pm, at the Ion. Click here to register.

Feb. 16 — Engage VC: Lerer Hippeau

Lerer Hippeau is an early-stage venture capital firm founded and operated in New York City. Since 2010, they have invested in entrepreneurs who embody audacity, endurance, and winning mindset – good people with great ideas who aren't afraid to do hard things. Join the HX Venture Fund to hear Caitlin Strandberg, Partner at Lerer Hippeau discuss her perspective on how to build and scale a great company, what early-stage investors are looking for, why Houston, and market trends among other topics.

The event is Thursday, February 16, at 8:30 am, at the Ion. Click here to register.

Feb. 16 — Female Founders and Funders

Calling all rockstar female founders and investors in the Houston area. Mark your calendars for this month's Female Founders and Funders meetup. Coffee and breakfast is provided and the event is free to attend.

The event is Thursday, February 16, at 9 am, at Sesh Coworking. Click here to register.

Feb. 21 — Web3 & HOU: Demystifying the Web3 Space Panel I

Join us to learn more about Web3 and its numerous applications.

The event is Tuesday, February 21, at 6 pm, at the Ion. Click here to register.

Feb. 22 — The Trailblazer’s Guide to Cultivating Authenticity

In this fun and interactive workshop presented by Erica D’Eramo of Two Peirs Consulting, we’ll look at how to foster a leadership style that works for you, even in the absence of role models.

The event is Wednesday, February 22, at 2 pm, at Sesh Coworking. Click here to register.

Feb. 22 — Houston Startup Showcase

The Houston Startup Showcase is a year-long series of monthly pitch competitions. Founders will pitch at the Ion and compete for the grand prize package. Watch the startups pitch their company and see who the judges will name the champion of the Houston Startup Showcase 2023.

The event is Wednesday, February 22, at 6 pm, at the Ion. Click here to register.

Feb. 23 — Navigating Innovation in the Corporate World

Join us for a fireside chat with leaders from Houston's largest employers, including Microsoft and Chevron to discuss how they have navigated successful careers in technology and innovation.

The event is Thursday, February 23, at 11:30 am, at the Ion. Click here to register.

Feb. 27-March 2 — Houston Tech Rodeo

The Houston Tech Rodeo is a conference showcasing the best and brightest of the Houston startup community in the region and beyond by putting investors, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and creative minds in a room to talk about the biggest innovations and the future of tech sandwiched by some happy hours and friendly competition.

The events run Monday, February 27, through Thursday, March 2, at various locations in Houston. Click here to register.

Note: This post might be updated to add more events.


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Houston Nobel Prize nominee earns latest award for public health research

Prized Research

Houston vaccine scientist Dr. Peter Hotez can add one more prize to his shelf.

Hotez — dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine and professor of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology & Microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine, co-director of the Texas Children’s Center for Vaccine Development (CVD) and Texas Children’s Hospital Endowed Chair of Tropical Pediatrics — is no stranger to impressive laurels. In 2022, he was even nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for his low-cost COVID vaccine.

His first big win of 2025 is this year’s Hill Prize, awarded by the Texas Academy of Medicine, Engineering, Science and Technology (TAMEST).

Hotez and his team were selected to receive $500,000 from Lyda Hill Philanthropies to help fund The Texas Virosphere Project. The endeavor was born to help create a predictive disease atlas relating to climate disasters. Because the climate crisis has ushered in changes to the distribution of diseases, including dengue, chikungunya, Zika, Chagas disease, typhus and tick-borne relapsing fever, it’s important to predict outbreaks before they become a menace.

Rice University researchers are collaborating with Hotez and his team on a project that combines climate science and metagenomics to access 3,000 insect genomes. The goal is to aid health departments in controlling disease and informing policy.

The Hill Prize, which is being awarded to six innovators for the first time, thanks to a $10 million commitment from the philanthropic organization, is intended to back ideas that are high-risk and high-reward. Each of the projects was chosen for its potential real-life impact on some of Texas's — and the world’s — most challenging situations. Hotez’s prize is the first Hill Prize to be given in the realm of public health. The additional winners are:

  • Hill Prize in Medicine: Kenneth M. Hargreaves, D.D.S., Ph.D., The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • Hill Prize in Engineering: Joan Frances Brennecke, Ph.D. (NAE), The University of Texas at Austin
  • Hill Prize in Biological Sciences: David J. Mangelsdorf, Ph.D. (NAM, NAS), UT Southwestern Medical Center
  • Hill Prize in Physical Sciences: James Chelikowsky, Ph.D., The University of Texas at Austin
  • Hill Prize in Technology: Robert De Lorenzo, M.D., EmergenceMed, LLC
Read about other Houston-area researchers recognized by TAMEST here.

How Houston's cost of living compares to other major Texas cities in 2025

Calculating Costs

A new cost-of-living index yields a result that many Houstonians will find surprising: Houston is not the most expensive place to live in Texas. Dallas and Austin are costlier.

Numbeo’s cost-of-living index for 2025 shows Dallas ranks first in Texas and 24th in North America, landing at 65.8. The cost-of-living index compares the cost of living in New York City (which sits at 100) with the cost of living in another city. Austin is at 61.7, Houston at 60.6, and San Antonio at 58.8.

Houston ranks 40th overall in North America, out of 52 cities in the index.

Numbeo’s cost-of-living index takes into account the cost of items like groceries, restaurant meals, transportation, and utilities. The index excludes rent.

When rent is added to the cost-of-living index, Houston is still third among Texas cities. Dallas grabs the No. 21 spot in North America (57.1), one notch above Austin (56.6). Houston ranks 35th (51.4), and San Antonio ranks 42nd (34.6).

Rent index
While Dallas holds the top Texas spot on Numbeo’s overall cost-of-living index, Austin faces the highest rent prices. Numbeo's rent index for Austin sits at 50.1, putting it in 12th place among major cities in North America and highest in Texas, above the indexes for Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Houston lands at 27th.

The rent index in New York City, which tops the list, is 100. As Numbeo explains, the rent index estimates the cost of renting an apartment in a city compared with New York City. If the rent index is 50, for example, this suggests the average rent in that city is 50 percent below the average rent in New York City.

Around Texas, the rent index is:

  • 46.2 in Dallas
  • 39.8 in Houston
  • 34.6 in San Antonio

Restaurant index
In contrast to its showing on the rent and cost-of-living indexes, Houston outranks Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio on Numbeo’s restaurant index. This index compares the prices of meals and drinks at restaurants and bars to those in New York City.

Houston sits at No. 25 on the restaurant index, at 68.9. Dallas comes in at No. 32 (67.1), Austin at No. 34 (66.6), and San Antonio at No. 36 (65.2).

The National Restaurant Association reported in December that menu prices in the U.S. had risen 3.6 percent in the past 12 months, outpacing gains in grocery prices and the federal government’s overall Consumer Price Index. Fortunately for diners, that was the smallest 12-month increase in menu prices since August 2020, according to the association.

Toast, which provides a cloud-based restaurant management system, says the higher menu prices reflect higher food prices.

“Food prices have been increasing due to inflation, labor expenses, fuel costs, and supply chain disruptions, all of which impact restaurant profitability, Toast says. “While raising menu prices is one option to combat rising food costs, some restaurants have introduced service charges and simplified menus to avoid passing all costs onto customers.”

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This story originally appeared on our sister site, CultureMap.com.

Houston startup taps strategic partner to produce novel 'biobased leather'

cleaner products

A Houston-based next-gen material startup has revealed a new strategic partnership.

Rheom Materials, formerly known as Bucha Bio, has announced a strategic partnership with thermoplastic extrusion and lamination company Bixby International, which is part of Rheom Material’s goal for commercial-scale production of its novel biobased material, Shorai.

Shorai is a biobased leather alternative that meets criteria for many companies wanting to incorporate sustainable materials. Shorai performs like traditional leather, but offers scalable production at a competitive price point. Extruded as a continuous sheet and having more than 92 percent biobased content, Shorai achieves an 80 percent reduction in carbon footprint compared to synthetic leather, according to Rheom.

Rheom, which is backed by Houston-based New Climate Ventures, will be allowing Bixby International to take a minority ownership stake in Rheom Materials as part of the deal.

“Partnering with Bixby International enables us to harness their extensive expertise in the extrusion industry and its entire supply chain, facilitating the successful scale-up of Shorai production,” Carolina Amin Ferril, CTO at Rheom Materials, says in a news release. “Their highly competitive and adaptable capabilities will allow us to offer more solutions and exceed our customers’ expectations.”

In late 2024, Rheom Materials started its first pilot-scale trial at the Bixby International facilities with the goal of producing Shorai for prototype samples.

"The scope of what we were doing — both on what raw materials we were using and what we were creating just kept expanding and growing," founder Zimri Hinshaw previously told InnovationMap.

Listen to Hinshaw on the Houston Innovators Podcast episode recorded in October.

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