OwlSpark, a startup and small business accelerator for Rice University-affiliated ventures, has named the latest 11 companies to its program that focus on challenges across technology, health care, consumer products and other sectors. The program is hosted in tandem with the University of Houston’s RED Labs and will take place at the Ion.

The early-stage accelerator runs for 12 weeks and culminates at The Bayou Startup Showcase on July 31.

According to a news release from Rice, “the accelerator cultivates a vibrant environment where founders are empowered to build, test, and scale their ideas in a setting built for entrepreneurship.”

The program is divided into two tracks: one for high-growth tech startups and another for small businesses.

The latest OwlSpark class includes:

• Web and mobile platform EasilyBEE, which boosts family and community engagement in K-12 schools
• Diagnos, a wearable-integrated wellness platform that monitors health and prevents injuries in college athletes
• Johnnie, an AI-powered records management software for rural and midsize first responder agencies
• JustKindHumility, which offers faith-based travel journals
• Klix, whichautomates early-stage clinical trial management from document screening to AI-driven patient outreach and eligibility checks
• Lizzy’s Gourmet Gains, which offers high-protein, flavor-forward dips and dressings
• NextStep, an AI-powered multilingual assistant helping underserved communities navigate resources for health care
• A catheter-integrated sensor device PeriShield, which detects early infection in peritoneal dialysis patients
• Right Design, which connects creatives with vetted employers, mentors and projects via job matching and commissions
• UCoreAlly, which provides business support for biotech startups in marketing, business development, customer support, human resources and accounting
• Ultrasound-based ablation system VentriTech that treats ventricular arrhythmias

The Owl Spark accelerator has supported 229 founders and launched 104 ventures with participants raising more than $116 million in funding since 2013, according to Rice.

UH also shared the 9 teams that will participate in RED Labs' latest cohort.

The latest RED Labs class includes:

• BLEED, an art agency that helps artists commercialize their work by connecting art collectors to original artwork and artists
• Brain Haven, which is developing nasal inhalers designed to stimulate the emotional and memory processing centers to preserve neuroplasticity and delay cognitive decline
• Candi Wands Automated Cotton Candy, which has developed a continuously operating cotton candy machine to help entertainment venues boost passive revenue
• ChériCollectible, a series of in-person events where Gen Z and collectors can buy, sell, and trade modern collectibles
• JobRadar, a job board that uses AI to analyze and categorize positions in real-time and then apply candidates instantly
• Stage Select LLC, a supplementary talent booking service that partners with multi-stage venues to help fill gaps in programming and increase profitability by finding and booking local talent for their "second stage."
• P-LEGS, a pediatric lower-limb exoskeleton that reduces physical strain on therapists while delivering customizable gait training.
• Roll ‘N’ Reel Photo Booth, an interactive event-based equipment rental business
• Stayzy, which automates guest communication and handles maintenance issues with an AI-powered software for short-term rental companies that manage 20-plus rentals