Houston mobile ordering company partners with robotic kitchen

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Mobile ordering technology for hospital employees just got a major tech upgrade. Photo courtesy of Rivalry Tech

Houston-based Rivalry Tech announced that it has partnered up with Canadian RoboEatz to bring hospital employees on-demand meals 24/7.

RoboEatz is known for its autonomous robotic kitchen system, which prepares high-quality dishes efficiently and consistently for health care organizations, businesses, higher education institutions and quick-service restaurants.

Rivalry Tech will couple RoboEatz's system with its user interface, known as myEATZ, that's currently in use at several Houston Methodist Hospitals, the TMC Innovation Factory, and in resorts, hospitals, office buildings, and more, according to the company's website.

"At Rivalry Tech, we're dedicated to pushing our boundaries into cutting-edge technologies with innovative partners like RoboEatz," Aaron Knape, CEO of Rivalry Tech, says in a statement. "Partnering with RoboEatz allows us to take this commitment a step further by providing an interface that gives users complete control over their dining choices and preferences."

Rivalry Tech originally founded myEATZ as an in-stadium ordering app in 2018, then known as sEATz. The company rebranded and introduced myEATz in 2022 and launched a new app about a year ago.

The company raised $3.5 million in funding to expand into the health care space in 2022 and initially rolled out at Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital, Houston Methodist West Hospital, Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital, Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital, and Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital last spring. According to Rivalry, its partner Aramark Healthcare+ has been important to the expansion of their technology within the health care sector.

"We believe this partnership marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of dining technology," Janis Poruks, CTO and Co-Founder of RoboEatz, said in a statement. "By integrating Rivalry Tech's user interface with our automated robotic kitchen, we're transforming dining into an interactive and personalized experience. Our goal is to redefine convenience and quality in dining while reducing the need for full-time employees."

MyEATZ, then sEATz, was part of Softeq Development’s accelerator in 2022. Click here to see the latest Houston tech companies to join.
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More Houston-area hospital workers now have access to this Houston startup's mobile ordering platform. Image courtesy of Rivalry Tech

Mobile ordering tech company expands to 5 Houston hospitals

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More Houston hospital workers now have access to on-demand mobile ordering thanks to a Houston startup.

Houston-based Rivalry Tech has rolled out its its mobile ordering platform, myEATz, into five of Houston Methodist's hospital cafes. The hospital employees can now order food and beverages from the myEATz app or web platform.

The platform is now available at: Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital, Houston Methodist West Hospital, Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital, Houston Methodist Continuing Care Hospital, and Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital.

"Employee wellness is especially important in healthcare as worker shortages, combined with fatigue, continue to be a concern," says Aaron Knape, CEO and co-founder of Rivalry Tech, in a news release. "MyEATz offers more than just access to onsite food and beverage options, it encourages employees to utilize their meal breaks to recharge and make the most of their break."

The expansion aligns with Rivalry's partnership with Aramark Healthcare+, which operates all of the dining operations at Houston Methodist.

“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Rivalry Tech to bring mobile ordering to five additional Aramark Healthcare+ Houston Methodist locations," says Dave Hanson, vice president of operations at Aramark Healthcare+, in the release. "Our continued investment in technology is a testament to our commitment to providing exceptional service and convenience to our healthcare caregivers. With Rivalry Tech's myEATz platform and our operational expertise, we are confident in our ability to enhance the overall dining experience for our guests.”

Founded in 2018 as sEATz, an in-stadium ordering app, Rivalry Tech rebranded and introduced the myEATz concept last year. Since then, the company rolled out its new app and raised $3.5 million in funding to expand its technology into the health care hospitality space.

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Houston startup designing emergency response drones lands $5.2M in seed funding

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Houston-based Paladin, whose remotely controlled drones help first responders react quickly to emergencies, has collected $5.2 million in seed funding.

Gradient, a seed fund that backs AI-oriented startups, led the round. Also participating were Toyota Ventures, the early-stage VC arm of Japanese automaker Toyota; venture capital firm Khosla Ventures; and VC fund 1517.

“We believe Paladin will drive meaningful change in public safety and redefine how communities are served,” Gradient said in an announcement about the seed round.

In 2019, Paladin received $1.3 million in seed funding from Khosla Ventures and Gmail creator Paul Buchheit, a group partner at Y Combinator. In 2018, the year it was co-founded by Divyaditya Shrivastava and Trevor Pennypacker, Paladin graduated from Y Combinator’s three-month boot camp.

Paladin’s AI-enhanced autonomous drones help public safety agencies, such as police and fire departments, respond to 911 calls. These drones provide aerial views of emergency scenes in an effort to decrease response times, improve “situational awareness,” and save lives, according to a Gradient blog post.

Among the agencies that have tried out Paladin’s technology is the Houston area’s Memorial Villages Police Department. The department participated in a three-month Paladin pilot project in 2019.

"(This is) one of the first departments in the country to be testing this technology," Shrivastava told InnovationMap in 2019. "We're very limited in the area that we cover, and that's just because we're taking baby steps and going as carefully and deliberately as possible."

Gradient says more than 12,000 drone missions have been performed using Paladin’s hardware and software platform. Agencies that have adopted the platform report average response times under 90 seconds. Furthermore, the technology has allowed them to resolve nearly one-third of 911 calls without dispatching first responders.

“Paladin keeps innovating, recently launching Payload Drop, a groundbreaking feature that enables drones to deliver lifesaving equipment — such as Narcan, life vests, and AEDs — directly to emergency scenes,” says Gradient.

On its website, Paladin says it envisions autonomous drones responding to every 911 call in the U.S. by 2027.

“The information is paramount, the technology exists and is rapidly improving, and the need is there. We want to help,” Paladin proclaims.

Energy, investment groups take up leases in Houston innovation hub

moving in

The Ion in Midtown has some new tenants taking up residence in its 90 percent-leased building.

Occidental Petroleum Corporation, Fathom Fund, and Activate are the latest additions to the Ion, according to a news release from Rice University and the Rice Real Estate Company, which own and operate the 16-acre Ion District where the Ion is located. With the additions, the building has just 10 percent left up for grabs.

“As the Ion continues to attract leading companies and organizations across industries, it’s clear that our vision of creating a dynamic and collaborative environment for innovation is resonating,” Ken Jett, president of the Rice Real Estate Company and vice president of facilities and capital planning at Rice, says in the release. “We are proud to set the standard for how the workplace can evolve to foster the commercialization and growth of transformative technologies that enhance quality of life in our community and beyond.”

Oxy, which was named a corporate partner of the Ion last year, now has nearly 6,500 square feet on the fourth floor where it will be housing its Zero In department that's focused on pioneering low-carbon initiatives. The build out process is slated to be completed by early 2025.

While Oxy represents the corporate side of innovation, the other two additions have their own roles in the innovation arena. Houston-based Fathom Fund, which launched its $100 million fund earlier this year, is targeting deep-tech venture opportunities and is led by Managing Partners Paul Sheng and Eric Bielke.

Founded in Berkeley, California, Activate, which announced its expansion into Houston in 2023, has officially named its local office in the Ion. The hardtech-focused incubator program recently named its inaugural cohort and opened applications for the 2025 program.

Other recent joiners to the Ion includes Kongsberg Digital, Artemis Energy Partners, CES Renewables, and Eleox.

“The partnerships we’ve forged are vital to shaping the Ion into a vibrant ecosystem for startups, where collaborative innovation is not only driving local economic growth but also positioning Houston as a global leader in the energy transition,” Paul Cherukuri, chief innovation officer at Rice University, says. “With our team leading the programming and activation across the Ion district, we are creating companies that harness cutting-edge technology for the benefit of society—advancing solutions that contribute to social good while addressing the most pressing challenges of our time. This powerful network is redefining Houston’s role in the future of energy, technology, and social impact.”

Houston's top innovators named, VC activity takes a hit, and more top tech, startup news from the week

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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 the the Houston Innovation Awards finalists being named, a new report that shows Houston venture funding is down, and more.

Top innovators: 2024 Houston Innovation Awards finalists revealed

Here's what Houston startups and innovators will be honored at the Houston Innovation Awards on November 14. Graphic via Gow Media

After nearly 300 nominations, InnovationMap and its group of judges are ready to reveal the finalists for this year's Houston Innovation Awards.

Taking place on Thursday, November 14, the Houston Innovation Awards celebrates all of Houston's innovation ecosystem — startups, entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, and more. Over 50 finalists will be recognized in particular for their achievements across 13 categories, which includes the 2024 Trailblazer Legacy Awards that were announced earlier this month.

Click here to see the 2024 Houston Innovation Awards finalists.

After trending up all year, Houston VC activity drops in Q3

During the third quarter of 2024, Houston-area companies saw a 15 percent decrease of VC investment compared to the third quarter of 2023. Photo via Getty Images

New data from the PitchBook/NVCA Venture Monitor reveals a seesaw pattern in the Houston area’s venture capital funding.

VC fundraising by Houston-area companies climbed during the first part of this year compared with the same period last year, according to the latest PitchBook/NVCA Venture Monitor. But from 2023 to 2024, the region’s third-quarter VC haul fell by a double-digit percentage.

In the first three quarters of 2024, Houston-area companies collected $1.24 billion in venture capital, the PitchBook/NVCA Venture Monitor shows. That’s up eight percent from the $1.15 billion raised in the first three quarters of 2023. Continue reading.

Houston health care leader secures funding, milestones for latest initiatives across cancer, stroke, and more

UTHealth Houston has secured millions in grant funding — plus has reached a new milestone for one of its projects. Photo via utsystem.edu

UTHealth Houston is making waves in many disciplines right now. From cancer to Alzheimer’s disease to stroke, the institution is improving outcomes for patients in new ways. Last week, UTHealth announced three exciting updates to its roster of accomplishments.

On October 8, UTHealth announced that it had received a $4.8 million grant from the National Cancer Institute, aimed at helping cancer survivors to continue their healing and enhancing primary care capacity. It will be put into action by UTHealth researchers working with eight community health centers around Texas that treat un- and underinsured patients. The initiative is called Project CASCADE, which stands for Community and Academic Synergy for Cancer Survivorship Care Delivery Enhancement.

“Project CASCADE focuses on how primary healthcare teams provide whole-person and coordinated care to underserved patients who have a history of cancer,” says Bijal Balasubramanian, professor of epidemiology and the Rockwell Distinguished Chair in Society and Health at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, a multiple principal investigator of the study. “Primary care is uniquely suited to deliver whole-person and coordinated care for cancer survivors because, at its core, it prioritizes, personalizes and integrates healthcare for all conditions, not just the cancer.” Continue reading.

Houston biotech VC firm's portfolio cos. score $5.3M in federal funding

Three of First Bight Venture's portfolio companies have secured federal funding. Photo via Getty Images

Three portfolio companies of Houston venture capital firm First Bight Ventures have received a combined $5.25 million from the U.S. Defense Department’s Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program.

“The allocation of funds by the federal government will be critical in helping grow biomanufacturing capacity,” Veronica Breckenridge (née Wu), founder of First Bight, says in a news release. “We are very proud to represent three dynamic companies that are awardees of this competitive and widely praised program.” Continue reading.

NASA awards Houston university $1.2M for diversity in aerospace initiative

The funding will go toward promoting diversity in aerospace workforce development. Photo via UH.edu

NASA will award the University of Houston $1.2 million toward a collaborative project with some of the biggest players in aerospace to foster diversity in the field.

The funds will go toward UH's Partnership for Inclusivity in Engineering Education and Research for Space, or PIE2RS, which is a collaboration between UH, UH-Clear Lake, NASA’s Johnson Space Center, the Boeing Company, and the Greater Houston Partnership. Continue reading.

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