Register: https://www.tiecontexas.org/tickets

TiE Houston, TiE Dallas, and TiE Austin are hosting TiEcon Texas 2026 on October 28–29 at the Ion. The day-and-a-half conference, themed “The Future Runs on Automation,” brings together founders, investors, corporate leaders, researchers, educators, and policymakers. They will look at how automation and AI are reshaping energy, manufacturing, healthcare, aerospace, logistics, defense, and technology across Texas.

October 28: Founder Program
The conference opens with a half-day program for startups building in the automation economy. It includes startup showcases, investor meetings, curated networking, and the TiE Hatch Pitch Competition, presented with Hatch Pitch. About 10 automation-focused startups will get four weeks of mentoring and pitch coaching before presenting on stage. The winners will then present to the full TiEcon audience.

October 29: Keynotes and Panels
A full day of keynotes, fireside chats, and panel discussions on AI governance, intelligent healthcare, education, space innovation, workforce transformation, and international approaches to public policy. It also covers how founders are building and deploying AI solutions. One featured session covers raising children in the age of AI.

Speakers include Steve Kean, Greater Houston Partnership; Woody Rickerson, ERCOT; Montgomery Goforth, NASA Johnson Space Center; Dr. Jakub Tolar, Baylor College of Medicine; and Prof. David Alexander, Rice Space Institute.

Who should attend: corporate executives, founders, investors, academics, educators, policymakers, researchers, ecosystem builders, and parents who want to help their children benefit from AI while building resilience to its risks.

Early bird registration is open for members and non-members. TiE Charter Members attend free.