10+ can't-miss Houston business and innovation events for October
where to be
Editor's note: Houston's October calendar is packed with informative and impactful events—plus a few fun ones, too. From the fourth annual Tejano Tech Summit to the first-ever Ion Family Tech Festival, here's what not to miss and how to register. Please note: this article may be updated to include additional event listings.
Oct. 3 — Houston Methodist Joy in Medicine Initiative Symposium
The Houston Methodist Joy in Medicine Initiative Symposium will explore the power of connection in enhancing professional fulfillment for clinicians and healthcare teams, this year under the theme “The Power of We.” Hear from Dr. Shlomit Schall, Houston Methodist Physician Organization president and CEO and chief physician executive, and Dr. J. Bryan Sexton, director of the Duke Center for Advancement and Well-being Science. Stick around for a networking happy hour.
This event is Friday, Oct. 3, from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the InterContinental Houston. Find more information here.
Oct. 6-10 — Surgical Technology & Robotic Surgery Summit (STaRS)
Surgeons, engineers, researchers and innovators can explore the latest advancements in surgical robotics, imaging and AI-integrated technologies at this year’s Surgical Technology & Robotic Surgery Summit. They can also take in the inaugural Surgical Technology & Robotic Surgery Innovator Competition. The summit will feature live demonstrations, interactive panels and cutting-edge research.
This event begins Monday, Oct. 6, at MITIE at The Bookout Center. Find more information here.
Oct. 7 — SUPERGirlsInSTEM Summit: The Intersection of AI & Workforce
The SUPERGirls SHINE Foundation presents its SUPERGirlsInSTEM Summit, where attendees can take part in open discussions, networking and workshops while learning about AI skills that can advance college studies and entry into the workforce.
This event is Tuesday, Oct. 7, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Ion. Find more information here.
Oct. 7 — Future of Health Care: Thought Leader Series
Hear from Rice University President Reginald DesRoches, and Kristen Doyle, CEO of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, at the Greater Houston Partnership’s Future of Health Care: Thought Leader Series. The expert panel will discuss key topics, including the proposed Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT), Rice's Momentous strategic plan and "critical role of public health systems and cross-sector partnerships in advancing access, equity, and workforce readiness."
This event is Tuesday, Oct. 7, from 9-10:15 a.m. at The Partnership Tower. Find more information here.
Oct 7-9 — Tejano Tech Summit Week
LSA Global will present its fourth annual Tejano Tech Summit Week. The week will feature happy hours, networking opportunities and a founders dinner, along with talks from Mariela Salas, co-founder and partner of Alma Fund; Latina in Tech Houston, Blue People, The Magnolia Fund and others.
This event starts on Tuesday, Oct. 7, with most events taking place at the Ion. Find more information here.
Oct. 8 — Digital Health Institute Launch event
Celebrate the launch of the Houston Methodist-Rice Digital Health Institute, which aims to translate “innovative ideas into scalable solutions” with a focus on engineering, digital health and artificial intelligence. The event will feature presentations from Houston Methodist clinical researchers and Rice University faculty, a startup and industry panel and a venture capital investment panel.
This event is Wednesday, Oct. 8, from 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. at Rice University's Duncan Hall - McMurtry Hall. Find more information here.
Oct. 8 — Founders Live Houston
Founders Live Houston returns this month with its happy hour pitch event. The global competition will select five Texas founders to present 99-second pitches and participate in a four-minute audience Q&A. Voters decide the winner.
This event is Thursday, Oct. 8, from 6-8 p.m. at the Ion. Find more information here.
Oct. 14 — NASA Stories at the Ion
Dina Contella, deputy manager of NASA’s International Space Station Program, will speak at this month's NASA Stories event. Contella will share insights from her career overseeing International Space Station operations, shaping Artemis missions and guiding real-time decisions in Mission Control.
This event is Tuesday, Oct. 14, from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the Ion. Find more information here.
Oct. 16 — Impact Hub Houston Celebrates 7 Years in Community + Open Project Night
Celebrate seven years of Impact Hub Houston with a hands-on learning experience focused on hosting. The organization will share the tools, practices and hosting frameworks that have helped it build community and support local changemakers since it launched in 2018. Afterward, participate in Impact Hub's signature Open Project Night, where developers can come together to work on solutions for some of Houston’s most pressing issues.
These events are on Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Ion. The anniversary party is from 2-5 p.m. and Open Project Night begins at 5:30 p.m. Find more information here and here.
Oct. 16 — Future of Global Energy presented by Shell
Industry leaders, academia, and government will "explore the forces shaping the future of energy" at the Greater Houston Partnership's fifth annual Future of Global Energy Conference. Andy Karsner, chief strategist for energy and innovation at X, Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory, and a former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Energy, will present the keynote address. Speakers from companies Fervo Energy, S&P Global, Bechtel and others will also be featured on panels and in fireside chats. The event will culminate in Houston's first National Labs Day, where attendees can engage with leaders and technology specialists from Argonne National Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory and other institutions.
This event is Thursday, Oct. 16, from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Find more information here.
Oct. 23 — NASA Tech Talks
Every fourth Thursday of the month, NASA experts, including longtime engineer Montgomery Goforth, present on technology development challenges NASA’s Johnson Space Center and the larger aerospace community are facing and how they can be leveraged by Houston’s innovation community. Stick around after for drinks and networking at Second Draught.
This event is Thursday, Oct. 23, from 6-7 p.m. at the Ion. Find more information here.
Oct. 25 — Ion Family Tech Festival
The Ion and partners will present the first-ever Ion Family Tech Fest this month, where families can participate in hands-on STEAM experiences.
This event is Saturday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Ion. Find more information here.