Houston’s love for live streaming is growing – and the internet needs to keep up

Tech-Heavy Households

Photo courtesy of Comcast

One thing Houston isn’t slowing down on is its love for live streaming. Whether catching the big game, binge-watching a new series, or diving into the latest gaming releases, Houstonians are using the internet more than ever. And with nearly 4 million more people expected to move to the area by 2040, networks have to be ready.

More devices, more streaming, more demand
“Internet usage has been skyrocketing year after year," sts Foti Kallergis, Comcast Texas spokesperson. "The average Xfinity household now has 36 WiFi-connected devices, from smart TVs and phones to tablets, speakers, and even smart fridges."

More than 70 percent of all internet traffic is entertainment, with sports, streaming apps, and games leading the charge — especially here in Houston, where fans never miss a Texans game or a Rockets highlight.

In fact, the past year set records for Comcast’s Xfinity network, with the five biggest days of internet consumption ever happening just in the last few months of 2024, driven by huge sports events and gaming downloads.

A network built for what’s next
As more people move in and more devices come online, Xfinity is constantly upgrading its network to keep up — and stay ahead. Whether you’re working on your laptop, FaceTiming on your iPad, or scrolling on your phone, at home or on the go, the goal is simple: fast, reliable, and seamless connection.

Over the last decade, Comcast has poured $80 billion into strengthening its network and infrastructure across the country. That includes 300,000 miles of fiber — enough to circle the globe 12 times — supporting everything from everyday streaming to powering FEMA and the Department of Defense. And here in the greater Houston area, that same network supports thousands of small businesses, too.

Speed, security, and smarts built in
“It’s not just about staying connected — it’s about staying connected smarter,” adds Kallergis. “Comcast’s network is constantly working behind the scenes to make your experience better. In fact, Comcast rolled out over 350,000 upgrades last year alone, including faster speeds at no extra cost.”

Comcast Xfinity speed testPhoto courtesy of Comcast

And every 20 minutes, it tests over 4,000 data points across tens of millions of devices to keep things optimized.

Kallergis adds that if there's extra bandwidth, Xfinity modems automatically adjust. If there's a network issue, AI-powered tools fix 60 percent of cases before users even know something’s wrong. And if a fiber line is cut, Xfinity technicians are alerted instantly and know exactly where to go and what to do.

Powerful tools for your home
Great internet also depends on what’s inside your home. That’s why Comcast is rolling out the new XB10 modem — the fastest and most powerful yet. It can handle up to 300 devices at once (because let’s be real, we’re all tech-heavy households now).

And when it comes to security, Xfinity’s network has your back. Every device that connects is automatically shielded from sketchy sites; it's like having a mini cybersecurity team 24/7.

Looking ahead
At the end of the day, Houston’s internet needs are only going to grow. And Comcast is ready.

Whether you’re streaming the playoffs, jumping on a work call, or video chatting with family across the country, Xfinity is here to keep you connected to the moments that matter most.

Photo courtesy of Comcast

Xfinity cranks up internet speeds in Southeast Texas at no extra cost

Power Your Digital Life

Here's some excellent news: Comcast has upgraded Xfinity Internet speeds for more than 20 million customers, including hundreds of thousands of Southeast Texas customers, for no additional cost.

Xfinity Internet tiers, and the NOW branded prepaid products, will now benefit from 50 to 100 percent faster upload speeds, helping customers upload large files in a flash when working from home or post videos to social media in seconds. Download speeds will also increase for most internet tiers.

Xfinity boosting speeds graphicGraphic courtesy of Comcast

Customers can view the details of their current internet plan by going to the Account, Your Plan section in the Xfinity app. While there, customers can also test their internet speed.

As the demand for connectivity continues to skyrocket in hyper-connected households, the new speed increases will provide even faster download and upload speeds to ensure customers can do more of what they love online — stream, game, chat, surf, and more — on all their devices, all at the same time.

“We want and need seamless connectivity for everything,” says Jose Espinel, Comcast Texas’ regional senior vice president. “Our faster download and upload speeds, combined with our world-class WiFi equipment, ultra-low-lag internet experience, and WiFi PowerBoost that delivers speeds up to a gig, are providing a converged connectivity experience that we believe is unmatched in the industry.”

With 94 percent of devices connecting to the internet via WiFi, fast speeds are only as good as the WiFi that connects them. At home, Xfinity’s WiFi gateways and extenders create a fast, reliable, and secure connection to every corner of the house. Outside of the home, Comcast’s Xfinity internet customers have access to the nation’s largest network of WiFi hotspots to connect on the go.

In addition to faster speeds, new and existing Xfinity Internet customers can now get a line of Unlimited on Xfinity Mobile included for a year when they subscribe to a 400 Mbps or faster plan.

And with WiFi PowerBoost, Xfinity Mobile and Comcast Business Mobile customers seamlessly receive WiFi speeds up to 1 Gbps no matter what internet speed tier they subscribe to, in and out of the home, on the nation’s largest and fastest WiFi network.

Fast download and upload speeds are an important feature of a comprehensive connectivity experience that delivers incredible benefits to consumers, including:

  • Reliability: Xfinity has greater than 99 percent reliability, and the Xfinity network utilizes artificial intelligence to keep customers connected by fixing issues before customers even know they happened.
  • Ultra-low-lag: Comcast recently introduced the first customers in the world to a pioneering new feature of Xfinity Internet that dramatically reduces latency when using interactive applications like gaming, videoconferencing, and virtual reality. Customers will have less delay and a smoother, more responsive end-to-end online experience.
  • Great WiFi in and out of the home: Next-generation Xfinity gateways deliver advanced WiFi capacity to power hundreds of devices in homes, and more than a billion devices each year across Comcast’s network. WiFi PowerBoost delivers Xfinity Mobile customers speeds up to 1 Gbps over WiFi at home or at millions of WiFi hotspots across the country.
  • Digital security: xFi Advanced Security, included free for customers who lease an Xfinity gateway, protects connected devices from malware and other threats at the gateway before they reach connected household devices. Since launching xFi Advanced Security, Xfinity has stopped more than 10 billion cyber security threats.

Customers can take advantage of the unlimited mobile line offer via their account on Xfinity.com, in the Xfinity app, or by calling 1-800-XFINITY.

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Houston VC funding surged in Q1 2025 to highest level in years, report says

by the numbers

First-quarter funding for Houston-area startups just hit its highest level since 2022, according to the latest PitchBook-NVCA Venture Monitor. But fundraising in subsequent quarters might not be as robust thanks to ongoing economic turmoil, the report warns.

In the first quarter of 2025, Houston-area startups raised $544.2 million in venture capital from investors, PitchBook-NVCA data shows. That compares with $263.5 million in Q1 2024 and $344.5 million in Q1 2023. For the first quarter of 2022, local startups nabbed $745.5 million in venture capital.

The Houston-area total for first-quarter VC funding this year fell well short of the sum for the Austin area (more than $3.3 billion) and Dallas-Fort Worth ($696.8 million), according to PitchBook-NVCA data.

While first-quarter 2025 funding for Houston-area startups got a boost, the number of VC deals declined versus the first quarters of 2024, 2023 and 2022. The PitchBook-NVCA Monitor reported 37 local VC deals in this year’s first quarter, compared with 45 during the same period in 2024, 53 in 2023, and 57 in 2022.

The PitchBook-NVCA report indicates fundraising figures for the Houston area, the Austin area, Dallas-Fort Worth and other markets might shrink in upcoming quarters.

“Should the latest iteration of tariffs stand, we expect significant pressure on fundraising and dealmaking in the near term as investors sit on the sidelines and wait for signs of market stabilization,” the report says.

Due to new trade tariffs and policy shifts, the chances of an upcoming rebound in the VC market have likely faded, says Nizar Tarhuni, executive vice president of research and market intelligence at PitchBook.

“These impacts amplify economic uncertainty and could further disrupt the private markets by complicating investment decisions, supply chains, exit windows, and portfolio strategies,” Tarhuni says. “While this may eventually lead to new domestic investment and create opportunities, the overall environment is facing volatility, hesitation, and structural change.”

Expert: Texas is building a cybersecurity wall — but it needs more bricklayers

Guest Column

Texas has always been a state that thinks in terms of scale. Big energy, big ambitions and now, big action in cybersecurity.

With the creation of the Texas Cyber Command under the Department of Information Resources, the state is recognizing what many of us in the industry have long understood: cybersecurity is not just an IT issue, it's a matter of public safety and economic resilience. Protecting municipal systems, schools, and critical energy infrastructure from cyber threats is no longer optional. It is essential.

For these efforts to succeed, Texas must invest as much in people as it does in technology. Without a capable, well-trained workforce to carry out the mission, even the strongest cyber strategies will struggle to hold the line.

The scope of the threat

Cyberattacks are not theoretical. In the last year alone, several cities in Texas experienced major ransomware attacks. One incident in Fort Worth took down core city systems, affecting everything from email access to permitting operations. The ripple effects were significant.

The energy sector is also under constant pressure. As a cornerstone of both the Texas and national economy, the it is a high-value target. Hackers are probing systems that manage oil, gas, and renewable energy infrastructure, looking for weaknesses that could be exploited to steal data or disrupt operations.

Texas has responded by centralizing its cyber incident response capabilities. The Texas Cyber Command is a smart step forward. It brings coordination and focus to an increasingly complex landscape. But its effectiveness will depend entirely on the professionals tasked with doing the work. And that’s where the challenge lies.

The workforce gap

Across the U.S., there are an estimated 400,000 unfilled cybersecurity positions. In Texas, more than 40,000 roles remain vacant, according to CyberSeek. These are not just numbers in a report. They represent a growing vulnerability with gaps in frontline defenses against real and persistent threats.

We cannot afford to rely solely on traditional pathways to fill this gap. Four-year degree programs are important, but they are not designed to scale fast enough or flexibly enough to meet today’s needs. Instead, we need to broaden our view of what a cybersecurity talent pipeline looks like and who it includes.

There needs to be an expanded focus on practical, skills-based training that takes high-aptitude individuals, including those from non-traditional backgrounds, and prepares them for success in cybersecurity careers through rigorous hands-on training that reflects the demands of real-world cyber roles. With the right structure and support, people from all walks of life are already proving they can become capable defenders of our digital infrastructure.

The same entrepreneurial spirit that drives innovation in other sectors can be applied to cybersecurity workforce development. We don’t have to wait years to grow the next generation of defenders. We can do it now, with the right focus and investment.

Texas has taken a critical first step by creating the Cyber Command, but if we want to build lasting resilience, we need to address the workforce bottleneck head-on. Cybersecurity needs more than tech…it needs talent.

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Dean Gefen is theCEO, NukuDo, a San Antonio-based cybersecurity workforce development and staffing company.

Rice Business Plan Competition doles out $2M to 2025 student teams

big winners

Celebrating its 25th year, the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship hosted the celebrated Rice Business Plan Competition this month, doling out more than $2 million in investment and cash prizes to the top-performing teams.

“For 25 years, the Rice Business Plan Competition has helped shape how Rice Business shows up in the world by creating a platform where student-entrepreneurs can tackle some of the most complex challenges of our time in energy, in health care, in technology and beyond,” Peter Rodriguez, dean of Rice Business, the presenting sponsor of the event, said in a news release. “If we’re serious about changing the world — and I believe we are — then it’s our responsibility to open doors for students everywhere to imagine bold solutions and build what comes next.”

Over the course of the three-day event, the 42 startups competing this year from colleges or universities around the world presented their plans before more than 300 angel, venture capital, and corporate investors. The teams were selected from the event’s largest applicant pool to date and represented 34 universities across four countries, according to Rice. Winners were announced at the company showcase and awards ceremony April 12 in downtown Houston.

Seven finalists were selected, though each team left the competition with some form of funding, according to Rice. The University of Michigan's Intero Biosystems was the star of the show, bringing home both the top-place finish and the largest total investment. Rice's own Pattern Materials also had a strong showing, placing fourth in the pitch competition and also earning the fourth-highest investment total.

Here are the teams that won big in 2025. See a full list of winners and prizes here.

Intero Biosystems, University of Michigan - $902,000

The team finished in first place for its GastroScreen, the first stem cell-driven human “mini gut” that is ideal for organ function testing before testing on humans, and also claimed the largest total investments among the competition.

  • $150,000 Goose Capital Investment Grand Prize
  • $250,000 Goose Capital Investment Prize
  • $200,000 The OWL Investment Prize
  • $100,000 Houston Angel Network Investment Prize
  • $100,000 nCourage Investment Network’s Courageous Women Entrepreneur Investment Prize
  • $100,000 Investment Prize from Nancy Chang
  • $1,000 Mercury Elevator Pitch Competition - Overall Winner
  • $1,000 Anbarci Family Company Showcase Prize
  • TMC Innovation Healthcare Accelerator Bootcamp Invitation Prize

MabLab, Harvard University – $301,500

The team placed second for its rapid test capable of detecting multiple adulterants in laced drugs and spiked drinks.

  • $100,000 Investment Prize, sponsored by David Anderson, Anderson Family Fund, Jon Finger and Finger Interests
  • $100,000 The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Texas Angels Investment Prize
  • $25,000 nCourage Investment Network’s Courageous Women Entrepreneur Investment Prize
  • $50,000 Valhalla Investment Network Investment Prize
  • $25,000 The Eagles Investor Investment Prize
  • $500 Mercury Elevator Pitch Competition - Life Science*
  • $1,000 Anbarci Family Company Showcase Prize

re.solution, RWTH Aachen University — $76,500

The team placed third for its water-based technology that recycles polyesters without generating salt waste, making textile recycling viable.

  • $50,000 Investment Prize, sponsored by David Anderson, Anderson Family Fund, Jon Finger and Finger Interests
  • $25,000 Pearland EDC Spirit of Entrepreneurship Cash Prize
  • $500 Mercury Elevator Pitch Competition - Energy/Cleantech
  • $1,000 Anbarci Family Company Showcase Prize

Pattern Materials, Rice University – $134,500

The Houston-based team placed fourth for its laser-induced graphene technology that can be rapidly performed, enabling low-cost, scalable production of the material.

  • $5,000 prize, sponsored by Norton Rose Fulbright
  • $50,000 Valhalla Investment Network Investment Prize
  • $25,000 Pearland EDC Spirit of Entrepreneurship Cash Prize
  • $25,000 New Climate Ventures Sustainable Investment Prize
  • $25,000 Amentum and WRX Companies Rising Stars Space Technology and Commercial Aerospace Cash Prize
  • $500 Mercury Elevator Pitch Competition - Hard Tech
  • $1,000 Anbarci Family Company Showcase Prize
  • $3,000 Venture Builder Innovation Prizes

Xatoms, Western University and University of Toronto — $30,000

The team placed fifth for its AI- and quantum-driven platform for discovering solar-activated semiconductor materials.

  • $5,000 prize, sponsored by EY
  • $25,000 nCourage Investment Network’s Courageous Women Entrepreneur Investment Prize

Mito Robotics, Carnegie Mellon University— $5,000

The team placed sixth for its automated manual cell culture with AI-powered robotic scientists for life science research

  • $5,000 prize, sponsored by Chevron Technology Ventures

FarmSmart.ai, LSU – $106,000

The team placed seventh for its AI—driven assistant that synthesizes vast agricultural research into actionable, tailored intelligence, but earned the fifth-most investments among the group.

  • $5,000 prize, sponsored by Shell Ventures
  • $100,000 The OWL Investment Prize
  • $1,000 Anbarci Family Company Showcase Prize
  • Edward H. Molter Memorial Prizes for Wildcard Round - 1st place - Advance to Finals


Other significant awards

GreenLIB Materials, University of Ottawa – $152,000

  • $150,000 Goose Capital Investment Prize
  • $2,000 Venture Builder Innovation Prizes

Microvitality, Tufts University – $26,500

  • $25,000 Southwest National Pediatric Device Consortium Pediatric Device Cash Prize
  • $1,500 Edward H. Molter Memorial Prizes for Wildcard Round - 3rd place overall in WC

Nanoborne, University of Texas at Austin - $25,000

  • $25,000 NOV Golden Ticket to Supernova Accelerator and Cash Prize

Last year, the Rice Business Plan Competition facilitated over $1.5 million in investment and cash prizes. MesaQuantum from Harvard University landed the highest total investment last year, although it was not named a finalist. Protein Pints from Michigan State University won the pitch competition.

According to Rice, 910 startups have raised more than $6.9 billion in capital through the competition over the last 25 years.

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