Editor's note: As October comes to a close, we're looking back at the biggest innovation stories in recent weeks. From innovations in health tech to Mark Cuban's hot take on AI, here are the top InnovationMap stories from Oct. 15-31:
1. 6 Houston health tech startups making major advancements right now
Tatiana Fofanova and Dr. Desh Mohan, founders of Koda Health. Photo courtesy Koda Health.
The Health Tech Business category in our 2025 Houston Innovation Awards (taking place Nov. 13) will honor an innovative startup within the health and medical technology sectors. Six forward-thinking businesses have been named finalists for the 2025 award. They range from an end-of-life care company to others developing devices and systems for heart monitoring, sleep apnea, hearing loss and more. Continue reading.
2. 7 innovative startups that are leading the energy transition in Houston
Houston-based Solidec was founded around innovations developed by Rice University associate professor Haotian Wang (far left). Photo courtesy Greentown Labs.
As part of the 2025 Houston Innovation Awards, our Energy Transition Business category honors innovative startups that are providing solution within renewables, climatetech, clean energy, alternative materials, circular economy, and more. Seven energy transition companies have been named finalists for the 2025 award. They range from a spinoff stimulating subsurface hydrogen from end-of-life oil fields to a company converting prickly pear cactus biogas into energy. Continue reading.
3. Mark Cuban calls AI ‘the greater democratizer’ for young entrepreneurs
Mark Cuban described AI as "the great democratizer" for low-income, young people at the Clover x Shark Tank Summit this month. Photo courtesy Clover.
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.” Continue reading.
4. CPRIT hires MD Anderson official as chief cancer prevention officer
Ruth Rechis has been named chief prevention officer of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. Photo courtesy CPRIT.
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. Continue reading.
5. Axiom Space announces new CEO amid strategic leadership change
Axiom Space has named Jonathan Cirtain as its new CEO. Photo via axiomspace.com.
Six months after promoting Tejpaul Bhatia from chief revenue officer to CEO, commercial space infrastructure and human spaceflight services provider Axiom Space has replaced him. On Oct. 15, Houston-based Axiom announced Jonathan Cirtain has succeeded Bhatia as CEO. Bhatia joined Axiom in 2021. Cirtain remains the company’s president, a role he assumed in June. Continue reading.