Editor's note: Top Houston innovation news included an exit for a Houston startup along with other quick news, entrepreneur profiles, and more. Plus, the Greater Houston Partnership hosted a thoughtful panel on Houston's future as an innovation hub.
3 Houston innovators to know this week
This week's set of innovators to know are making waves in industries across Houston. Courtesy photos
In this Monday roundup of Houston innovators, we traverse into the restaurant, health care, and higher education industries with a startup founder focused on using technology to improve the dining experience, a self-starter in health care, and a leader on the Rice University campus with a new office for his growing staff. Continue reading.
Shell commits to $10M carbon initiative with Rice University, Houston startup acquired by Honeywell, and more innovation news
The Rice Angel Network will now be powered by Cannon Ventures. Photo courtesy of Rice UniversityEven toward the end of the year and amid the holiday season, Houston's innovation news can be a lot to keep up with. Here are seven short stories of Houston innovation — from an exit for a Houston startup and a multimillion-dollar clean energy commitment from Shell to new national recognitions for Houston and 2020 plans unveiled for MassChallenge in Houston. Continue reading.
These were Houston's top energy innovation stories this year
Texas has been deemed inefficient when it comes to energy. Photo courtesy of Thomas Miller/Breitling Energy
With 2020 just days away, InnovationMap is looking back at 2019's top stories in Houston innovation. Within the energy category, top stories included game-changing energy tech companies, the future of oil and gas — as told by the industry's emerging leaders, the results of a reverse pitch competition for ExxonMobil, and more.Continue reading.
Why this Houston entrepreneur stuck with startups over a corporate gig
When Microsoft came knocking on this Houston entrepreneur's door, he realized leaving the startup world was not something he was willing to do. Pexels
Several ago, Microsoft dangled a senior leadership role in front of me, which included a high-compensation offer and the chance to move to Seattle. It was tempting. On the surface, this might seem like an easy choice. This kind of senior management position at Microsoft is something many people only dream of. And Microsoft was making a hard push for me.
Then, while pondering the offer, I imagined how I would change the company's website to capitalize on an urgent market opportunity, and then I thought about the bureaucracy I'd have to go through, which I imagined would have been like trying to get a bill through Congress. I called the hiring manager and asked for an example of his team advocating for such a change, and he confirmed that it would require jumping in slow motion through layers of hoops. Continue reading.
Overheard: Houston execs weigh in on the innovation ecosystem and local startups
Three panelists representing the real estate, banking, and health care industries weighed in on innovation in Houston. Photo via Greater Houston Partnership/Facebook
Something has shifted in Houston, and businesses across industries — whether it be real estate, health care, or energy — are focused on innovation, emerging technologies, and the role of startups within the business community.
At the Greater Houston Partnership's annual Economic Outlook on December 5, three panelists from various industries gathered to discuss some of the biggest issues in Houston — from the multifamily real estate market to what the local workforce needs. The panel was moderated by Eddie Robinson, the morning news anchor for Houston Public Radio, and the panelists did weigh in a few issues affecting innovation. Continue reading.