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, new tech for a local hospital, and more.
3 Houston innovators to know this week
This week's innovators to know roundup includes Roberta Schwartz of Houston Methodist, Jani Tuomi of imaware, and Jill Chapman of Insperity. Photos courtesy
In the latest roundup of Houston innovators, I'm introducing you to three innovators across industries — including some with COVID-19 news. Continue reading.
10+ can't-miss Houston business and innovation events online in December
Register for some of these informative online events happening throughout the month of December. Getty Images
It's the last monthly events roundup for 2020 — and this month, understandably, is a bit slow due to the holidays, but we have a roundup of the must-attend events for December.
From workshops and panels to summits and pitch parties, here are over 10 Houston innovation events you can attend virtually via online meetings. Continue reading.
Houston hospital introduces first-of-its-kind voice technology into its operating rooms
Meet MIA — Houston Methodist's new voice technology assistant. Photo via Getty Images
Hey, MIA. Start surgery.
These are the words Houston doctors are learning to say in the operating rooms, thanks to a first-of-its-kind voice technology developed by the Houston Methodist's Center for Innovation in collaboration with Amazon Web Services. In the same way we use programs like Alexa or Siri to make our everyday tasks easier, the Methodist Intelligent Automation, or MIA, is allowing medical professionals to improve the way they interact both with technology and patients alike.
"There's been a push in the industry for a long time that people sitting behind computers and typing and staring at a computer screen is inadequate," says Houston Methodist Chief Innovation Officer Roberta Schwartz. "There's been a desire to return people back to each other rather than physicians and look at a screen and patients look at a doctor looking at a screen." Continue reading.
These are the latest COVID-19-focused research projects happening at Houston institutions
A new AI-optimized COVID screening device, a free response resource, and more — here's your latest roundup of research news. Image via Getty Images
Researchers across the Houston area are working on COVID-19 innovations every day, and scientists are constantly finding new ways this disease is affecting humankind.
From a COVID breathalyzer to a new collaboration in Houston — here's your latest roundup of local coronavirus research news. Continue reading.
Houston startup closes $5M seed round led by Austin VC
Houston-based NanoTech Inc. has announced it's closed its seed round of funding. Photo courtesy of NanoTech
It's payday for a Houston startup that is housed out of the new Halliburton Labs. Nanotech Inc., which material science for fire-proofing and insulation, has announced the close of its $5 million seed round.
According to NanoTech's news release, Austin-based Ecliptic Capital led the investment round. Additionally, the deal also resulted in the conversion of a simple agreement for future equity, or SAFE, that was previously issued to Halliburton Labs.
"The investment from Ecliptic Capital will allow us to scale our business to achieve our mission of fireproofing the world and reducing global energy consumption. Additionally, our participation with Halliburton Labs provides us with the support of a Fortune 500 company." says NanoTech's CEO Mike Francis in the release.Continue reading.