Editor's note: Ask anyone — people are the driving force within innovation. They are also what drives innovation stories, from founding companies, discovering new technologies, and providing advice to others. Here are this week's trending news stories that are focused on the people aspect in innovation.
3 Houston innovators to know this week
From fitness tech and interior design to super thin wearable technology, this week's innovators to know can't be stopped. Courtesy photos
Another week, another set of Houston innovators to keep your eye on. This week's cast of characters are from across industries — from fitness innovation to interior design for tech companies. Meet the people behind Houston innovation. Read more.
Houston educator plans to lead her university into the future with her new role
Former University of St. Thomas business school dean, Beena George, is taking on a new role at the university: Chief innovation officer. Courtesy of UST
High school graduation numbers are decreasing, and, by 2025, far fewer college freshmen will be starting school. Some project as high as a 15 percent drop, says Beena George, inaugural chief innovation officer of Houston's St. Thomas University.
UST is looking forward to and anticipating changes and challenges within higher education like this, and one of the steps the university has been to create George's position.
"My role is to ferment that culture of innovation," George says. "Not just sit here and think of ideas." Read more.
4 Houston health startups to look out for
It might come as no surprise that Houston, home to the largest medical center in the world, has many impressive health startups. Photo by Dwight C. Andrews/Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau
Houston's growing life sciences industry has been a topic of discussion of late — and it's pretty obvious why.
In March, Houston was named the No. 2 top city for an emerging life sciences market, according to CBRE data. Houston was also named the No. 2 city for STEM jobs, per a report from American Enterprise Institute's Housing Center, which cited the city's growing life science industry as a factor. Even Amazon, which recently opened a Tech Hub in Houston, credited the city's life sciences as a reason for Houston's selection.
In fact, according to a report from the Greater Houston Partnership, Houston has over a fifth of the nation's clinical trials last year. With health care innovation abound in town, here are four startups to keep an eye on. Read more.
Houston clocks in as No. 2 most overworked city in the nation
Only D.C. is more overworked than Houston. Photo by Shobeir Ansari, Getty Images
A new study on work-life balance proves Houstonians work harder than almost anyone else in the country.
Mobile technology company Kisi set out to determine which major U.S. cities offer the best work-life balance, and which ones could use an adjustment, by examining work intensity, society and institutions, and livability. Overall, the Bayou City ranks fourth-worst for work-life balance (No. 37 out of 40), but even more sobering is how overworked our residents are.
According to the study, Houston is the second-most overworked city in the nation, behind only Washington, D.C. Fifteen percent of Houston workers work at least 48 hours a week, the highest figure in the study, and, on average, the Houston workforce stays on the clock 43.7 hours a week. While local workers arrive at work later than most Americans (9:56 am), they are on the road much earlier, commuting about 30 minutes just one way, the study says. Read more.
5 things to keep in mind when finding coworking space in Houston
Here's what all you should consider before settling into a coworking spot. Leanne Hope/PDR
If you're in the market for office space you've undoubtedly heard a lot about one of the fastest growing trends in commercial real estate – coworking. What started as a simple idea to help freelancers and startups find workspace is now beginning to disrupt the traditional office market. More than 1,000 spaces opened in the US in 2018 alone, according to Coworking Resources.
But, as this trend continues to take off, tenants now face a wide range of potential options. So many, in fact, it can seem overwhelming weeding through them. Where does one even start? How do you find the right space? Here are five things you should keep in mind when conducting your search. Read more.