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, an accelerator's newest cohort, Houston named a fast-growing tech hub, and more.
3 Houston innovators to know this week
This week's roundup of Houston innovators includes Emily Cisek of The Postage, Kevin Coker of Proxima Clinical Research, and Sylvia Kampshoff of Kanthaka. Courtesy photos
In this week's roundup of Houston innovators to know, I'm introducing you to three local innovators across industries — tech, health care, and more — recently making headlines in Houston innovation. Click here to continue reading.
Houston SaaS startup closes $12M series A funding round with support from local VC
Molecule has closed new funding in order to focus on the energy transition. Photo via Getty Images
A Houston startup with a software-as-a-service platform for the energy transition has announced it closed a funding round with participation from a local venture capital.
Molecule closed its $12 million series A, and Houston-based Mercury Fund was among the company's investors. The company has a cloud-based energy trading and risk management solution for the energy industry and supports power, natural gas, crude/refined products, chemicals, agricultural commodities, softs, metals, cryptocurrencies, and more.
"We led the seed round of Molecule upon their formation and are excited to participate in their series A," says Blair Garrou, co-founder and managing director of Mercury, in a news release. "Molecule's success in the ETRM/CTRM industry, especially in relation to electricity and renewables, positions them as the company to beat for the energy transition in the 2020s." Click here to continue reading.
Houston ranks among fastest growing tech hubs amid the pandemic, report finds
According to a report, Houston has grown its tech workforce more than other major metros over the past year. Joe Daniel Price/Getty Images
When Americans think of tech hubs, Silicon Valley or even Austin may initially come to mind. However, Houston appears to be making a play for tech-hub status.
Citing data from career platform LinkedIn, the Axios news website reports that Houston has seen a healthy influx of tech workers since the start of the pandemic. In fact, Houston ranks second among 14 major U.S. labor markets for the number of relocating software and IT workers between March 2020 and February 2021 compared with the same period a year earlier. Click here to continue reading.
Global accelerator announces 5 startups to its Houston cohort
gBETA Houston, which is based out of Downtown Launchpad, has announced its latest cohort. Photo courtesy of the Downtown Launchpad
Five Houston companies have been tapped to participate in a Houston-based, early-stage startup accelerator with a national presence.
The accelerator, gBETA, selected the five Houston companies out of over 85 applicants. The cohort represents industries like education, travel, and fintech. The summer program launched on May 6 and will take place over seven weeks before concluding on July 7 at the gBETA Houston Pitch Night. Click here to continue reading.
3 Houston startups announce strategic appointments across energy and tech
These fast-growing companies have new personnel announcements to share. Photos courtesy
Three Houston startups have new hires they're excited about. From new board members to c-level execs, here's who's moving and shaking in Houston innovation. Click here to continue reading.