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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4 Houston innovators join prestigious group of inventors as senior members

top honor

Houston is home to four new senior members of the National Academy of Inventors.

To be eligible to be an NAI Senior Member, candidates must be active faculty, scientists and administrators from NAI member institutions that have demonstrated innovation and produced technologies that have “brought, or aspire to bring, real impact on the welfare of society,” according to the NAI. The members have also succeeded in patents, licensing and commercialization, and educating and mentoring.

The University of Houston announced that three professors were selected to join the prestigious NAI list of senior members. UH now has 39 faculty members on the NAI list.

“We congratulate these three esteemed colleagues on being named NAI Senior Members,” Ramanan Krishnamoorti, vice president for energy and innovation at UH, said in a news release. “This recognition is a testament to their dedication, research excellence and pursuit of real-world impact by knowledge and technologies. Their achievements continue to elevate the University as a leader in innovation and entrepreneurship.”

UH’s new senior members include:

  • Birol Dindoruk, the American Association of Drilling Engineers Endowed Professor of Petroleum Engineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the Cullen College of Engineering. He is known for his research in carbon capture and storage, fluid-rock interactions and hydrogen storage. He holds three patents.
  • Megan Robertson, the Neal R. Amundson professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at UH’s Cullen College of Engineering. She is developing new polymers and groundbreaking strategies for recycling and reusing plastics. Robertson currently has three patents and two more patent applications pending.
  • Francisco Robles Hernandez, a professor of mechanical engineering technology at the UH College of Technology. He holds four patents, and several others are under review. His work focuses on carbon materials, including pioneering work with graphene and designs with steel and aluminum used in automotives and railroads.

“As an inventor, this is one of the highest honors you can be awarded, so I am very proud to receive it,” Robles Hernandez said in a news release. “UH has been instrumental in supporting my research and innovation efforts, but it’s the creativity of the students here that makes it successful.”

Allison Post, associate director of electrophysiology research and innovations and manager of innovation partnerships at the Texas Heart Institute at Baylor College of Medicine, also made the list.

Post was recognized for her work in biomedical engineering and commitment to advancing cardiovascular care through innovations. Post is the youngest member to be inducted this year.

Other notable Texas honorees include Emma Fan from the University of Texas, Arum Han from Texas A&M and Panos Shiakolas at UT Arlington.

In 2024, Edward Ratner, a computer information systems lecturer in the Department of Information Science Technology at the University of Houston’s Cullen College of Engineering, and Omid Veiseh, a bioengineer at Rice University and director of the Biotech Launch Pad, were named NAI fellows.

The Senior Member Induction Ceremony will honor the 2025 class at NAI’s Annual Conference June 23-26 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Plans revealed for $2 billion expansion of Houston convention district

coming soon

Mayor John Whitmire and Houston First Corporation shared a new master plan for the George R. Brown Convention Center and its surrounding area last week. The plan features expanded exhibition space, a living roof, a pedestrian plaza with access to Toyota Center and more.

The project will be funded by the state’s portion of incremental Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue growth within a three-mile radius of the GRB for 30 years, which is estimated to total about $2 billion, according to a release from Houston First.

The first phase of the project, which is slated to be completed by 2028, will focus on developing a 700,000-square-foot convention facility known as GRB South.

GRB South will feature:

  • Two exhibition halls, totaling 150,000 square feet
  • A 50,000-square-foot multipurpose hall that opens to the new Central Plaza
  • The 100,000-square-foot Central Plaza, an extension of the Avenida Plaza that will connect to Discovery Green and Toyota Center
  • Atrium flex hall totaling 25,000 square feet
  • 225,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space
  • A 60,000-80,000-square-foot ballroom
  • Ground-level spaces for retail and restaurants
  • A central atrium, providing each level with natural light

The design of the space is inspired by the Houston area's native prairies and will use low-carbon materials, high-efficiency building systems with rainwater collection and water-reduction strategies. A living roof on top of the GRB South will also have the potential for solar integration.

"It is imperative for us to stay competitive and meet the needs of our meetings and convention customers,” Michael Heckman, president and CEO of Houston First, said in the release. “This project will not only accomplish that but will establish a gathering space that will be the epicenter for entertainment, sports, and city-wide events, accentuating our ability to capitalize on Houston's unique offerings.”

The full campus renovation is expected to wrap in 2038, and construction will be managed in phases. Houston First reports that construction should not impact events currently scheduled as GRB.

“This project is truly transformative for downtown Houston, a lasting legacy that will solidify our position as a top-tier convention and entertainment destination,” Mayor John Whitmire said in the release. “Most importantly, we are creating a space that will build community, foster connection, and shape the future of Houston.”

Explore renderings of the plans below.

  

Rendering courtesy Houston First.

Tech company floats plan for futuristic shipyard on Texas Gulf Coast

Anchors Away

Armed with $600 million in fresh funding, Austin-based Saronic Technologies has set its sights on building a shipyard for producing remotely operated military vessels — and the futuristic shipyard could be located along the Texas Gulf Coast.

The shipyard, dubbed Port Alpha, would manufacture unstaffed midsize and large Navy ships known as “maritime drones.” Defense Newsreported that Texas — with the Gulf Coast being a prime target — is among the places under consideration for the shipyard. A timeline for construction of the shipyard hasn’t been set, and a cost estimate for the project hasn’t been revealed.

“A core principle of Saronic is that we design our vessels for autonomy from the keel up,” Saronic co-founder and CEO Dino Mavrookas, a former Navy SEAL, says in a news release. “We will take the same approach with Port Alpha, designing a shipyard from the ground up to produce at a speed and scale not seen since World War II.”

Saronic says Port Alpha would boost the U.S. shipbuilding industry, which is practically nonexistent. Consulting giant McKinsey & Co. reported in 2024 that the U.S. has gone from building about 5 percent of the world’s ocean-going ships in the 1970s to about 0.2 percent today. China, Japan, and South Korea now dominate global shipbuilding.

“The last years have seen a degradation in the capacity for the United States to build ships and to manufacture core needs of the country. I am excited to back Saronic and its focus on revitalizing shipbuilding in America, while also building products to defend those interests,” says investor and tech entrepreneur Elad Gil, who led the $600 million funding round.

The $600 million round, announced February 18, pushes the value of Saronic to $4 billion. Investors in Saronic, founded in 2022, include Gil, General Catalyst, a16z, Caffeinated Capital, and 8VC.

Last year, Saronic raised $175 million from investors, lifting the company’s value to $1 billion. In 2023, the startup collected $55 million from investors.

In the past three years, Saronic has focused on manufacturing three small remotely controlled vessels, or “maritime drones,” for the Navy: the six-foot-long Spyglass, 14-foot-long Cutlass, and 24-foot-long Corsair. Port Alpha would specialize in much bigger remotely controlled ships for the Navy. The Navy has expressed interest in assembling a modern fleet that combines staffed and unstaffed vessels.

Saronic’s nearly 420,000-square-foot factory in Austin manufactures the Spyglass, Cutlass and Corsair boats.

“The velocity and economics of warfare have fundamentally evolved, and several of our own team have witnessed firsthand how unmanned systems became true force multipliers in Afghanistan and in other theaters of conflict,” says Paul Kwan, managing director of General Catalyst.

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This story originally was published on our sister site CultureMap Austin.

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