Check out these conferences, pitch competitions, networking, and more in the month of May. Photo via Getty Images

It's time to look at what's on the agenda for May 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.

May 1-4 — Offshore Technology Conference

Since 1969, OTC has served as a central hub convening the best and brightest minds in the world to share ideas, and innovations and discuss, debate, and build consensus around the most pressing topics facing the offshore energy sector.

The event is Monday, May 1, to Thursday, May 4, at NRG Park. Click here to register.

May 2 — EDGE Technology Showcase 2023: Delivering the Future

Oceanit’s 2023 EDGE Technology Showcase will run alongside Houston's Offshore Technology Conference, the Oceanit EDGE Technology Showcase event will feature technologies that are delivering the future, from deep sea to deep space — from disruptive innovations to scalable turnkey solutions.

The event is Tuesday, May 2, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm, at 1940 Air Terminal Museum. Click here to register.

May 3 — Women, Wine & Web Design - Houston

Create a web page, enjoy some wine, and network with like-minded Houston area women.

The event is Wednesday, May 3, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm, at Improving (10111 Richmond Ave.). Click here to register.

May 10 — Energy 2.0 UN-Conference - NetZero: A Race We Can All Win

Energy 2.0 is the UNconference where we celebrate diverse perspectives, technologies, and people driving the energy transition forward.

The event is Wednesday, May 10, from 8 am to 5 pm, at Woodside Energy (1500 Post Oak Blvd.). Click here to register.

May 11 — Investor Studio Series Dream Big Ventures x Ion

Hear from experts Staci Latoison, founder of Dream Big Ventures; Ramona Ortega, founder and CEO of WealthBuild.ai; and Nan Almodovar, CEO & broker.

The event is Thursday, May 11, from 5 to 7 pm, at the Ion. Click here to register.

May 11-13 — Rice Business Plan Competition

With access to mentors, real-world experience and investment opportunities, the Rice Business Plan Competition helps student founders stay on target and realize their potential. Click here to see the 2023 teams.

The event is Thursday, May 11, to Saturday, May 13, at Rice University. Click here to register.

May 12 — Linkedin Profile Refresh Workshop

This event is not just about learning new tips and tricks; it's about putting them into practice right then and there.

During the workshop, you'll have the opportunity to work on your LinkedIn profile in real-time, making changes and optimizing it for more visibility and opportunities.

The event is Friday, May 12, from 8:30 to 10:30 am, at the Ion. Click here to register.

May 17 — Engage VC: Scale Venture Partners

Alex Niehenke, Partner at Scale Venture Partners is coming to Houston and will be featured in our fireside chat moderated by Emily Hak, Managing Director, Private Capital Markets at Insperity.

The event is Wednesday, May 17, from 8:30 to 10:30 am, at the Ion. Click here to register.

May 17-19: Ion Activation Festival

Ion District is celebrating its second annual festival of innovation in Houston, known as Activation Festival which will feature:

  • A multi-day showcase of Ion District + Ion and its innovation ecosystem partners
  • An array of futuristic activations and programs alongside a lineup of engaging keynote speakers and experiences
  • A community-wide block party Friday to celebrate the heart of Houston's new innovation district

The event is Wednesday, May 17, to Friday, May 19, at The Ion. Click here to register.

May 18 — Softeq Venture Studio Houston Investor Demo Day: H1 2023 Cohort

At the Houston Investor Demo Day, founders will give their 3-minute pitch, followed by a networking session where you may get a demo of their product and ask any questions. We need you there to evaluate them for investment and give them feedback! Afterward, happy hour and dinner.

The event is Thursday, May 18, from 3 to 7 pm, at Fleming's Steakhouse (CityCentre). Click here to register.

May 23 — Houston Veterans In Residence Showcase

Bunker Labs’ Veterans in Residence Showcase is a nationwide event, celebrating our program participants as they have completed Bunker Labs' six month Veterans in Residence Program.

The event is Tuesday, May 23, from 6 to 8 pm, at Impact Hub Houston. Click here to register.

May 25 — Greentown Houston + BCG X Pitch Day

Join Greentown Houston and BCG X for a pitch competition featuring Greentown startups that are raising their pre-seed and seed rounds to grow their networks and scale their cutting-edge climatetech solutions. The winners will walk away with a total of $10,000 in cash prizes and services support from BCG X. We will also have a Fan Favorite prize, sponsored by O'Melveny who will provide in-kind service in the form of 5 hours of virtual 1:1 office consult on general corporate matters.

The event is Thursday, May 25, from 3:30 to 7:30 pm, at Greentown Houston. Click here to register.

May 30-31 — Women in Tech Texas

Discover the technologies in today's quickly changing world and learn new forward-thinking concepts in business and the workforce that will radically change our future. Join over 1,000 leading women in technology and diversity champions driving the innovation revolution to pioneer the future of technology and business.

The event is Tuesday, May 30, to Wednesday, May 31, at the Hyatt Regency. Click here to register.

May 31 — Demystifying Startup Impact Investing: SWAN Impact Network

SWAN Impact Network is joining the startup ecosystem in Houston. Join the organization for a panel with local thought leaders on "Demystifying Startup Impact Investing” and a time for networking over light bites and drinks. SWAN is an angel network whose members put their money to work to make a difference by enabling creative entrepreneurs with solid plans for financial success to address the world’s most pressing problems.

The event is Wednesday, May 31, from 6 to 7:30 pm, at Ion Houston. Click here to register.

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Mark Cuban calls AI ‘the greater democratizer’ for young entrepreneurs

eyes on AI

Texas billionaire Mark Cuban—whose investment portfolio includes Houston-based Holliball, a startup that makes and sells large inflatable holiday ornaments—believes AI is leveling the playing field for budding low-income entrepreneurs.

At the recent Clover x Shark Tank Summit in Las Vegas, the Shark Tank alum called AI “the greater democratizer.”

Cuban told Axios that free low-cost AI tools enable disadvantaged teenagers to compete with seasoned professionals.

“Right now, if you’re a 14- to 18-year-old and you’re in not-so-good circumstances, you have access to the best professors and the best consultants,” Cuban said. “It allows people who otherwise would not have access to any resources to have access to the best resources in real time. You can compete with anybody.”

While Cuban believes AI is “the great democratizer” for low-income young people, low-income workers still face hurdles in navigating the AI landscape, according to Public Works Partners, an urban planning and consulting firm. The firm says access to AI among low-income workers may be limited due to cost, insufficient digital literacy and infrastructure gaps.

“Without adequate resources and training, these workers may struggle to adapt to AI-driven workplaces or access the educational opportunities necessary to acquire new skills,” Public Works Partners said.

Texas 2036, a public policy organization focused on the state’s future, reported in January AI jobs in Texas are projected to grow 27 percent over the next decade. The number 2036 refers to the year when Texas will celebrate its bicentennial.

As for the current state of AI, Cuban said he doesn’t think the economy is witnessing an AI bubble comparable to the dot-com bubble, which lasted from 1998 to 2000.

“The difference is, the improvement in technology basically slowed to a trickle,” Cuban said of the dot-com era. “We’re nowhere near the improvement in technology slowing to a trickle in AI.”

CPRIT hires MD Anderson official as chief cancer prevention officer

new hire

The Austin-based Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, which provides funding for cancer research across the state, has hired Ruth Rechis as its chief prevention officer. She comes to CPRIT from Houston’s University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, where she led the Cancer Prevention and Control Platform.

Before joining MD Anderson, Rechis was a member of the executive leadership team at the Livestrong Foundation, an Austin-based nonprofit that supports people affected by cancer.

“Ruth has widespread connections throughout the cancer prevention community, both in Texas and across the nation,” CPRIT CEO Kristen Doyle said in a news release. “She is a long-term passionate supporter of CPRIT, and she is very familiar with our process, programs, and commitment to transparency. Ruth is a terrific addition to the team here at CPRIT.”

Rechis said that by collaborating with researchers, policymakers, public health leaders and community partners, CPRIT “can continue to drive forward proven prevention strategies that improve health outcomes, lower long-term costs, and create healthier futures for all.”

At MD Anderson, Rechis and her team worked with more than 100 organizations in Texas to bolster cancer prevention initiatives at clinics and community-based organizations.

Rechis is a longtime survivor of Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the lymph nodes, which are part of a person’s immune system.