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 a new innovation hub in the Houston area, a roundup of startup news, and more.
Pearland to open innovation-focused hub to support local entrepreneurs
The Pearland Innovation Hub celebrates its launch this week. Photo via pearlandedc.com
Entrepreneurs in the Pearland area have a new resource to help them grow their businesses.
The Pearland Economic Development Corp. has launched the Pearland Innovation Hub, aimed at connecting small businesses with programs and services that are designed to contribute to their success.
The Pearland Innovation Hub is managed through a partnership between the Pearland Economic Development Corp. and The Cannon, a Houston-area business networking community for entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate innovators. For now, the hub does not officially have a physical space. The hub is welcoming the local community to their launch party Thursday, May 19, at BAKFISH Brewing.
The Cannon hired Brandy Guidry to run the Pearland hub. She has more than 17 years of experience in business operations; engineering; technical marketing; innovation; and strategic planning, project, and program management. Click here to continue reading.
Texas ranks as top state for female entrepreneurs, Houston startup wins VC competition, and more
A new report finds that the Lone Star State is ideal for female entrepreneurs — and more Houston innovation news. Photo via Getty Images
Houston is starting summer strong in terms of innovation news, and there might be some headlines you may have missed.
In this roundup of short stories within Houston startups and tech, the Lone Star State ranks in the top 10 best states for women in business, a software startup rolls out a new tool, $5,000 small business grants are up for grabs, and more. Click here to continue reading.
Early-stage startup accelerator names latest Houston cohort, new local leader
The latest cohort from gBETA Houston has been announced and is currently underway at the Downtown Launchpad. Photo courtesy
A national startup accelerator has announced its fifth local cohort, which includes five Houston companies participating in the spring 2022 class.
Madison, Wisconsin-based gener8tor has announced today the five participating startups in gBETA Houston. The program will be led by Muriel Foster, the newly named director of gBETA Houston, which originally launched in Houston in 2020 thanks to a grant from from the Downtown Redevelopment Authority.
The program, which is designed to help guide early-stage startups find early customer traction, connect with mentors, and more, is based in the Downtown Launchpad, and is free and does not take equity in the participating companies. The cohort kicked off on April 21 and concludes on June 10. Click here to continue reading.
Following a $43M series B, energy tech company co-located in Houston makes acquisition
With fresh funding, this Houston and Canada-based company has made an acquisition. Courtesy of Validere
After raising $43 million in funding for its series B round, Validere, a commodity management platform for the energy industry, has acquired Clairifi, whose technology helps energy businesses comply with environmental and regulatory requirements. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.
The funding round was closed in March and was led by Mercuria Energy and select funds and accounts managed by BlackRock, with participation from Nova Fleet, Pioneer Fund and NGIF Cleantech Ventures, as well as existing investors, including Wing VC and Greylock Partners, according to a news release.
“Validere’s mission is to ensure human prosperity through energy that is plentiful, sustainable and efficiently delivered," says Nouman Ahmad, Validere co-founder and CEO. "We facilitate this through integrating our customers’ core business with new environmental initiatives. In order to manage the energy transition well, environmental attributes cannot be managed in a silo, they need to be integrated in the day-to-day operations and commercial decisions." Click here to continue reading.
Overheard: Houston experts discuss how to navigate tech transfer
Panelists from the University of Houston and Houston Methodist discussed tech transfer challenges and opportunities for academic innovators. Photo courtesy
Groundbreaking and disruptive innovations across industries are coming out of research institutions, and their commercialization process is very different from other startups.
An expert panel within technology transfer discussed some of the unique obstacles innovators face as they go from academia into the market — like patenting, funding, the valley of death, and more.
Missed the conversation? Here are eight key moments from the panel that took place at the University of Houston's Technology Bridge on Wednesday, May 19. Click here to continue reading.