Editor's note:Another week has come and gone, and it's time to round up the top headlines from the past few days. Trending Houston tech and startup news on InnovationMap included top interviews from 2020, innovators to know, and a guest column about Houston leading sustainable energy.
3 Houston innovators to know this week
This week's roundup of Houston innovators includes Abbey Donnell of Work & Mother, Blair Garrou of Mercury Fund, and Randa Duncan Williams. Courtesy photos
In the first weekly roundup of Houston innovators of 2021, I'm introducing you to three innovators across the city — one of the richest people in Houston, a venture capital expert, and a female founder with big plans for 2021. Click here to continue reading.Click here to continue reading.
8+ can't-miss Houston business and innovation events online in January
Register for some of these informative online events happening throughout the month of January. Photo via Getty Images
It's a whole new year, but Houston is cranking out the same great business and innovation-focused events.
Here's a roundup of virtual events not to miss this month — from workshops and webinars to summits and pitch parties. Note: This post will be updated to add more events. Click here to continue reading.
The key to making Houston the next renewable energy capital is collaboration
Houston can be the renewable energy capital — it has all the ingredients. Photo via Getty Images
Will Houston become the renewable energy capital of America? It's entirely possible.
While the coronavirus pandemic has presented challenges to the city's 4,600 energy firms, Houston's energy sector is resilient and can rebuild by prioritizing new jobs in cleantech and renewables.
Earlier this year, the city announced its commitment to using 100 percent renewable energy for all municipal operations by 2025 as part of its Climate Action Plan, a strategic approach for how Houston's residents and businesses can reduce their carbon emissions.
Houston is well-positioned to implement many of the strategies outlined in the plan. Building optimization and materials management can be boosted by the city's powerful construction and engineering workforce. And while it may surprise some, Houston could soon rival California for the number of electric vehicles on the road. Texas has the second highest number of charging stations in the country and the city of Houston leads the state overall. Click here to continue reading.
Houston investment group names new leadership
Goose Capital recently named its new managing director, president, and board chair. Photos courtesy
A Houston-based investment group has announced three new leadership changes to its organization to start of the new year.
Goose Capital Inc. named Chris Staffel as managing director, along with Jeff Smisek as the firm's president and Jay Collins as chair of the board of directors. The three appointments are effective as of January 1.
Smisek, former chairman, CEO, and president of United Continental Holdings Inc., has been a member investor with Goose but now assumes this leadership role. He serves as president of private investment company Flight Partners Capital, as well as on the board of directors for Finch Therapeutics Group Inc., Lantha Inc., and Molecular Match Inc.
"I look forward to leading Goose Capital as we help early stage companies and their founders develop their products, grow their companies, and create value," says Smisek in a news release. Click here to continue reading.
Editor's Picks: Top 7 Houston innovation interviews of 2020
The ultimate who's who of 2020 — favorite Houston Innovators Podcast guests of last year. Photos courtesy
With 2020 in the rearview, InnovationMap is looking back on the top stories of the year. With over 60 episodes of the Houston Innovators Podcast and about half of those being recorded in 2020, here are the top episodes from the year. Click here to continue reading.