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 innovators to know, events not to miss, updates from Houston startups, and more.
3 Houston innovators to know this week
This week's roundup of Houston innovators includes Hannah Le of RE.STATEMENT, Misha Govshteyn of MacroFab, and Kelli Newman of Newman & Newman Inc. Photos courtesy
Editor's note: In this week's roundup of Houston innovators to know, I'm introducing you to three local innovators across industries — from sustainable fashion to tech manufacturing — recently making headlines in Houston innovation. Read more.
Houston-based creator economy platform goes live nationally
With Clutch, connecting brands with creators has never been easier and more inclusive. Photo courtesy of Clutch
An app that originally launched on Houston college campuses has announced it's now live nationwide.
Clutch founders Madison Long and Simone May set out to make it easier for the younger generation to earn money with their skill sets. After launching a beta at local universities last fall, Clutch's digital marketplace is now live for others to join in.
The platform connects brands to its network of creators for reliable and authentic work — everything from social media management, video creation, video editing, content creation, graphic design projects, and more. With weekly payments to creators and an inclusive platform for users on both sides of the equation, Clutch aims to make digital collaboration easier and more reliable for everyone.
“We’re thrilled to bring our product to market to make sustainable, authentic lifestyles available to everyone through the creator economy," says May, CTO and co-founder of Clutch. "We’re honored to be part of the thriving innovation community here in Houston and get to bring more on-your-own-terms work opportunities to all creators and businesses through our platform.” Read more.
Exclusive: Hardtech-focused program announces Houston expansion, seeks local leader
Activate is planting its roots in Houston with a plan to have its first set of fellows next year. Photo via Getty Images
An organization that directs support to scientists developing impactful technology has decided on Houston for its fifth program.
Activate was founded in Berkeley, California, in 2015 to bridge the gap between the federal and public sectors to deploy capital and resources into the innovators creating transformative products. The nonprofit expanded its programs to Boston and New York before launching a virtual fellowship program — Activate Anywhere, which is for scientists 50 or more miles outside one of the three hubs.
"Our mission is to empower scientists to reinvent the world by bringing their research to market," Aimee Rose, executive managing director of Activate, tells InnovationMap. "There's so much technical talent that we educate in this country every year and so many amazing inventions that happen, that combining the two, which is the sort of inventor/entrepreneur, and giving them the support mechanisms they need to get on their feet and be successful, has the potential to unlock an incredible amount of value for the country, for the environment, and to address other social problems." Read more.
10 can't-miss Houston business and innovation events for February
Check out this curated list of innovation events in Houston for February. Photo via Getty Images
It's time to look at what's on the agenda for February 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. Read more.
Growing Houston-based drone software company snags government contract
Ty Audronis founded Tempest Droneworx to put drone data to work. Photo courtesy of Tempest Droneworx
Ty Audronis quite literally grew up in Paradise. But the Northern California town was destroyed by wildfire in 2018, including Audronis’ childhood home.
“That’s why it’s called the Campfire Region,” says the founder, who explains that the flames were started by a spark off a 97-year-old transmission line.
But Audronis, who has literally written the book on designing purpose-built drones — actually, more than one — wasn’t going to sit back and let it happen again. Currently, wildfire prevention is limited to the “medieval technology” of using towers miles apart to check for smoke signals.
“By the time you see smoke signals, you’ve already got a big problem,” Audronis says.
His idea? To replace that system with real-time, three-dimensional, multi-spectral mapping, which exactly where his company, Tempest Droneworx, comes in. Read more.