It's been an exciting week for innovation in Houston. One major innovation hub broke ground on one side of town and another opened its doors to start moving in startups. Meanwhile, a major statewide innovation player hired locally.
Scroll through to read this week's top stories on Houston innovation and startups.
3 Houston innovators to know this week
From oil and gas to space technology, these leaders are pushing forward innovation in Houston. Courtesy photos
One thing this week's movers and shakers in the Houston innovation ecosystem have in common is their intention to disrupt an industry using technology. Here are this week's innovators you need to know in Houston. Click here to read the rest of the story.
Overheard: The Ion breaks ground in Midtown's former Sears building
The Rice Management Company has broken ground on the renovation of the historic Midtown Sears building, which will become The Ion. Natalie Harms/InnovationMap
The Ion — a to-be entrepreneurial hub for startups, universities, tech companies, and more — is, in a way, the lemonade created from the lemons dealt to the city by a snub from Amazon.
In 2018, Amazon narrowed its options for a second headquarters to 20 cities, and Houston didn't make the shortlist.
"That disappointment lead to a sense of urgency, commitment, and imagination and out of that has come something better than we ever could have imagined," David Leebron, president of Rice University, says to a crowd gathered for The Ion's groundbreaking on July 19. Click here to read the rest of the story.
Photos: The Cannon unveils its 120,000-square-foot startup hub in West Houston
The Cannon's new building is 88 percent leased and ready for move in. Courtesy of The Cannon
The Cannon is finally getting to move its 150 startups and partners into its 120,000-square-foot campus in West Houston.
The original plan was to open in March, but construction, which began in April 2018, faced a series of setbacks due to weather. Current grand opening celebration plans are expected to be in September.
The flagship building is just the first step developing the campus, which is dubbed the Founders District. Click here to read the rest of the story.
New TMCx program launches, C-level execs named at Houston startups, and more innovation news
The new programming geared at idea-stage startups has officially commenced at TMC Innovation Institute. Courtesy of TMCx
There's been a lot of recent Houston innovation news, and you might have missed something. Keep up to date with all the news happening among startups and technology in Houston in this innovation news roundup. Click here to read the rest of the story.
Capital Factory hires two Houston-based employees to grow its local presence
Capital Factory will have a branded area in The Cannon when it opens its new facility. Courtesy of The Cannon
A major Texas innovation player with roots in Austin has now staffed its recently announced Houston outpost in partnership with The Cannon Houston. Capital Factory hired two Houstonians to help provide resources for its growing Houston-based portfolio companies.
Kendrick Alridge has been hired as mentor coordinator, and Brittany Barreto, who founded Pheramor and WeHaveChemistry, has been named the venture associate. Aldridge will focus on growing and cultivating relationships with Houston mentors, and Barreto is dedicated to reaching out to Houston startups to gauge their potential for Capital Factory participation. Click here to read the rest of the story.