Taylor Odum, Author at Ion District

Ion Announces Free Program for Houston Entrepreneurs Looking to Grow

Posted on September 28, 2022May 8, 2023 by Taylor Odum

Ion, Houston’s innovation hub, today announced its partnership with Improving, a technology management and consulting services firm, to provide a free, six-month curriculum that covers a wide range of business topics. The program, called “Ion Startup University powered by Improving,” kicks off with its first session on Thursday, September 29, 2022.

Open to the public, Ion Startup University powered by Improving was created to provide the Houston community access to educational courses. Whether preparing to launch a startup or pitching to investors, the courses are designed to help escalate growth at every stage of the entrepreneurial journey.

“At Improving, we are dedicated to providing innovative solutions and processes to those in need at any level of their career or phase of their business,” said Devlin Liles, Chief Consulting Officer and President of Improving–Houston. “We share a common goal with the Ion to support Houston’s entrepreneurs and business community who are eager to grow but need an extra boost to do so.”

The first three sessions of the curriculum focus on product creation and best practices for pitching and networking. To register for the first session, please visit the Ion’s event page here.

● Product – Start Well (September 29, 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm): The session will focus on the “Product Thinking” aspects needed to launch a Minimal Viable Product (MVP). Led by Wade Pinder, Founder of the Houston Product Community, topics discussed will include framing the problem, considering product personas, forming a vision and strategy, ideation, building a product roadmap, and starting a product backlog.

● Pitch & Sell (October 12, 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm): Facilitated by Max Day, Chief Growth Officer of Wealth Assistants, the session will help entrepreneurs in pitch development. It will cover what a pitch should include, how to structure a pitch for the most impact, the best exercises for practicing pitching, and common mistakes to avoid.

● Why – Networking (October 27, 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm): Learn the ins and outs of networking with Ion’s Senior Director of Ecosystems, Joey Sanchez. This session will focus on how to expand your “who,” when to engage with others and how, and the best practices for successfully making and maintaining meaningful relationships.

“Through our partnership with Improving, we are bridging the gap for entrepreneurs who may not have previously had access to resources to help bring their ideas or businesses to life,” said Jan E. Odegard, Executive Director of the Ion. “Ion Startup University powered by Improving is another proof point that Houston and the Ion are where you should come to get your startup launched.”

Sessions are offered bi-weekly for six months, and each six-month program occurs twice a year, with new sessions introduced each year. Sessions include 45 minutes of content with a subject matter expert facilitating the conversation, followed by break-out workshops to apply learnings in real-time. Attendees can choose the entire six-month curriculum or only the sessions necessary for current needs.

About the Ion

Ion: Where ideas go to grow. Located in Ion District, the namesake building is the transformative centerpiece of Houston’s innovation corridor. Designed to bring our city’s entrepreneurial, corporate, and academic communities into collaborative spaces and programs, the sunlit structure of steel and glass is a home for advancing diverse knowledge, teams, technologies, and products that propel our world forward. From Fortune 500s seeking flexible office space to first-time startups looking for the funding to design a prototype, the Ion provides wide-reaching space and support to connect every What if with What now?—welcoming individuals and teams of all kinds to a place to build a better way.

About Improving: Improving is a modern digital services company dedicated to positively changing the perception of the IT professional. Improving offers innovative solutions through IT consulting, software development, and agile training to help thousands of clients achieve new heights in a competitive and ever-changing market

Second Draught to Bring Robust Selection of Local Craft Beer on Tap to the Ion

Posted on September 8, 2022May 8, 2023 by Taylor Odum

The Ion today announced that Second Draught – a 2,000- square-foot taproom from the creators of neighborhood brewpub Baileson Brewing Company – will begin serving a selection of pints from Houston’s 70+ craft breweries on Monday, September 12.

When it opens, Second Draught will boast a rotating array of Houston’s vibrant craft brewers across its 18 beer taps; additionally, it will offer two wines on tap. Local breweries on Second Draught’s taps will include Saint Arnold, Great Heights, True Anomaly, Eureka Heights, Frost Town, and a host of others.

“We are overjoyed to open Second Draught to Houston’s innovation ecosystem – as well as to those stopping into the Ion for innovation-focused and community-centric events – next week,” emphasized Sarah Pope, Co-Founder of Second Draught. “Second Draught is designed to be a communal destination for anyone and everyone who visits the Ion, whether they are here on a daily basis, are coming for a specific program, or are taking advantage of the Ion’s expansive open working areas.”

In step with the Ion’s ethos of empowering entrepreneurs by arming them with access to broader networks, mentorship opportunities, and pathways to funding, Second Draught will provide a platform for Houston’s hyper-local beer scene, including smaller operators whose craft beer will now be readily accessible to the diverse cross-section of individuals populating the Ion’s offices, meeting rooms, and workspaces every day.

Ryan LeVasseur, Managing Director of Direct Real Estate for Rice Management Co., the developer of Ion District, said Second Draught’s opening is exciting – not only because its owners have built a loyal following of local craft beer lovers – but also because it represents RMC’s commitment to diversifying business ownership in Houston. “Women owners have been underrepresented in the industry, and the Ion District seeks partners who bring their unique, local, and entrepreneurial concepts to make this place unlike any other. We also love Second Draught’s commitment to celebrating a broad range of homegrown Houston brewers.”

Cozily offering 66 indoor seats and an additional 20 on the outdoor patio facing the Ion Plaza, Second Draught will be counter service style in its operations with guests ordering drinks at the bar; five HD TVs animate the interior space for sports and other events. Opening just in time for fall football season, the taproom will initially open Monday through Friday from 2 PM to 9 PM, Saturday from 12 PM to 9 PM, and Sunday from 12 PM to 6 PM. Hours will be expanded as Second Draught is able to add staff and in conjunction with the openings of Ion restaurants Late August and The Lymbar.

“As the Ion has continued to grow its community of tenants, partners, and collaborators, the need has never been greater for a watering hole for this dynamic group of Houston’s current and future leaders,” said Jan Odegard, the Ion’s Executive Director. “Gathering outside of the office and exchanging ideas in a relaxed environment could spark the next innovation that solves a complex problem. Second Draught brings added vibrancy to the building as programming has expanded and the Ion’s ecosystem continues to evolve,” he added.

About the Ion

About Rice Management Company Rice Management Company (RMC) is responsible for the stewardship of Rice University’s endowment. The endowment plays a vital role for Rice. The distributions generated provide approximately 40% of the University’s operating revenues, which makes it the single largest revenue source to the operating budget. The RMC team brings decades of investment management expertise across diversified industries and financial specialties. Through disciplined research and due diligence, we assess and pursue investment strategies that are aligned with the long-term risk/reward profile of the endowment. For more information, please visit investments.rice.edu.

Ion Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with Line-Up of Public Events

Posted on September 1, 2022May 8, 2023 by Taylor Odum

In Houston, the number of Hispanic entrepreneurs outnumbers all other demographic groups 2 to 1, according to the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Even more, Hispanics are two times more likely to start a business in Houston than other demographic groups.

Committed to supporting this dramatic growth in Hispanic-owned businesses, the Ion, Houston’s innovation hub, provides the resources needed for startups and entrepreneurs of all backgrounds to be successful, from educational events on topics such as how to secure capital or how to successfully pitch an idea, to networking opportunities aimed to develop ones’ professional network.

With this, the Ion is excited to announce its line-up of events for Hispanic Heritage Month, taking place September 15 to October 15. Houstonians and visitors of all backgrounds will have the opportunity to experience business, networking, and cultural programming that highlights and celebrates Houston’s vibrant Hispanic community.

Hispanic Heritage Month events will take place at the Ion, and the first event to kick-off the month is the Hispanic Small Business Summit on September 15. Open to the Greater Houston-Galveston area, the event will take place in Spanish and feature a networking session, local entrepreneurs telling their small business success stories, and a panel of lenders for tips on accessing business capital.

The full line-up of events can be found below.

● Hispanic Small Business Summit (September 15 at 9:00 am to 12:00 pm): Hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration in cooperation with Houston Baptist University, Baker Ripley, Impact Hub, and the Ion, this event will feature small business success stories, information about the impact of Latino entrepreneurship, and a panel of lenders for tips on accessing business capital. To note, this event will be held in Spanish.

● Fiesta Mexicana, presented by Que Onda Magazine (September 15 at 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm): All are welcome to this outdoor family-friendly festival celebrating Mexican Independence Day. In partnership with the Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Board, the event will feature Mexican food trucks, live Mariachi performances, ballet folklorico dance performances, and more.

● LatinTech Pitch 2022 Competition (September 20 at 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm): Presented by the Consulate General of Israel to the Southwest along with Latinx Startup Alliance and Texas Business Association, this event will feature a pitch competition, where Latinx-led startups have the opportunity to win cash prizes.

● Plaza Tec: Latinx Super Meetup/Mixer (September 30 at 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm): Meet Houston’s Latinx startup community and community organizations at this public exposition event. The event features networking, libations, and entertainment, where attendees can meet startups, community organizations, and professional associations.

● Hispanic Professionals Roundtable: Innovations in Real Estate, Architecture, and Construction (October 11 at 10:00 am – 11:30 am): Facilitated by Hector Moreno, Founder of ProjectUS, this roundtable of leading Hispanic professionals from real estate, architecture, engineering, construction, and property management will discuss their pathway into the industry and elaborate on their current positions.

● Tejano Tech Summit (October 14 – 15): Hosted by the Latinx Startup Alliance in partnership with the Ion, this two-day event will feature resources for starting, funding, and scaling a tech startup business on Day 1 and careers in technology on Day 2. “Hispanic Heritage Month is intended to not only celebrate our community’s Hispanic entrepreneurs but also to create connections within the community and beyond,” said Deanea LeFlore, Senior Director, Partnerships at the Ion. “Hispanic-owned small businesses represent more than 42% of the small businesses owned in the region. The Ion is committed to providing business owners with more tools to succeed, advancing Houston’s technology ecosystem, and bolstering our local economy.”

Ion and Houston Methodist to Open Health Care Innovation Tech Hub

Posted on August 11, 2022May 8, 2023 by Taylor Odum

Houston Methodist joins the Ion as its first healthcare-centric partner in its growing innovation hub. The hospital will build out a space at the Ion modeled after Houston Methodist’s Center for Innovation Technology Hub located at its flagship hospital in the Texas Medical Center to showcase the latest in healthcare innovation.

“Partnering with Houston Methodist’s Center for Innovation is exciting. This also will advance the Ion’s ability to support entrepreneurs and innovators that are already at the Ion as we embark on a new focus in health care innovation,” said Jan Odegard, Executive Director of the Ion.

Expected to open later this year, the Tech Hub at the Ion will occupy an approximately 1,200-square-foot space which will first be used for informational and educational programming, networking with fellow tenants and entrepreneurs, participating in on-site mentoring and pitch competitions, and hosting open houses for the community to see how Houston Methodist is shaping patient-centered health care of the future.

Houston Methodist’s presence at the Ion advances its vision to foster more collaboration across industries, joining aerospace, energy, and oil and gas companies already embedded in the innovation hub. Through this partnership, Houston Methodist expands the work of its Center for Innovation and its Technology Hub, which opened in early 2020 to provide a living laboratory environment to experience the latest innovations in patient-centered health care technology, including remote monitoring, ambient intelligence, and virtual reality. The space at the Ion will be a smaller replica, a twin of the original space within the hospital, and will demonstrate how current and future technology work together in the hospital setting.

“We are advancing the evolution of the hospital’s role in health care through digital transformation,” said Michelle Stansbury, VP of Innovation and IT Applications at Houston Methodist. “Having a footprint at the Ion will not only provide the Ion’s network and Houston community with a window into what we are doing for patients, consumers, and providers but also gives the Ion community and rising innovators an opportunity to bring its own ingenuity and ideas to life with ours.”

Partnering with Houston Methodist and welcoming them to the Ion, developed by Rice Management Company on behalf of Rice University, builds on the legacies of two of the state’s leading institutions, said Rice University President Reggie DesRoches.

“Building new relationships and resources can expand digital innovation in health care,” DesRoches said. “Rice is thrilled to play its part, and we celebrate our shared commitment to meaningful community engagement.”

Houston Methodist and Rice University have a history of collaborations, including the Houston Methodist – Rice University Center for Human Performance, a premier center under construction on Rice’s main campus. The space is intended to bring physicians, academic researchers, and university students together to work side by side with student-athletes, trainers, and coaches to advance research and education in human performance. Houston Methodist and Rice University also are collaborating on the Center for Translational Neural Prosthetics and Interfaces to bring together scientists, clinicians, engineers, and surgeons to solve clinical problems with neurorobotics.

Bryson Grover, Investment Manager of Real Estate Development, Rice Management Company, said, “By enhancing opportunities for our network of academics, businesses, entrepreneurs and innovators to collaborate across the Ion District and globally, we’re creating a more resilient future economy for our region.”

About the Ion

About Houston Methodist: Houston Methodist is one of the nation’s leading health systems and academic medical centers. The health system consists of eight hospitals: Houston Methodist Hospital, its flagship academic hospital in the Texas Medical Center, six community hospitals, and one long-term acute care hospital throughout the Greater Houston metropolitan area. Houston Methodist also includes a research institute; a comprehensive residency program; international patient services; freestanding comprehensive care, emergency care and imaging centers; and outpatient facilities. Houston Methodist employs more than 27,000 people and had more than 1.6 million outpatient visits and more than 132,000 admissions in 2021. For more information on Houston Methodist, see houstonmethodist.org.

NASA and Houston’s Ion Partner to Create Opportunities for Startup Community

Posted on July 14, 2022May 8, 2023 by Taylor Odum

The Ion, Houston’s innovation hub, has announced its collaboration with NASA’s Johnson Space Center. NASA and the Ion are establishing a technology transfer center at the Ion to empower the Houston-Galveston region’s aerospace innovation ecosystem by extending opportunities to local entrepreneurs and startups to share their ideas and intellectual property with NASA and vice versa.

NASA and the Ion’s partnership is an example of private-public partnerships aimed at creating events, programming, and initiatives to promote and diversify the new commercial space economy and the use of NASA technologies in the broader economy. Alongside Rice University, the Ion’s owner, the organizations are pioneering a platform to accelerate the formation of space entrepreneurs to grow commercial space supply chains, seek solutions to address space technology challenges, and license NASA technology for commercial applications.

“We’re eager and excited to work with Rice University and the Ion to help NASA solve challenges, develop spinoff technologies, grow minority entrepreneurs, and accelerate innovative and tech-forward solutions in Houston,” said Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. “This partnership will allow us to increase startups through our aerospace accelerator targeting minority businesses and help achieve NASA’s goals to enhance scientific and technological knowledge to benefit all of humankind as we propel commercialization of space and work to land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon under Artemis.”

The organizations will also focus part of their efforts on minority businesses and entrepreneurs in the aerospace and technology fields, including the Ion’s Aerospace Innovation Accelerator for Minority Business Enterprises (AIA for MBEs), which develops businesses tackling aerospace-related challenges. NASA has supported the AIA for MBEs since its inception and initial grant process. NASA will continue to support the accelerator and its participants through its provision of mentors and subject matter experts and ongoing input and advice at the Ion’s monthly startup competitions and showcases in addition to the below.

As part of the new collaboration, NASA and the Ion will open an application process for interested startups and entrepreneurs to become connected with NASA in Fall 2022. Programming will run through mid-2023. Together, NASA, the Ion and the startup community will work to:

● Develop spin-off technologies in support of commercial space and for potential use in future NASA and private space missions;

● Provide access to intellectual property (IP). The Ion community will have once-in-a-lifetime access to NASA’s IP portfolio, for potential use in commercial applications;

● Create more onramps for Houston’s small business communities through NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) & Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs;

● Build a private sector skilled local workforce to support the development of space technologies

“NASA’s Johnson Space Center has led the US and the world on an ongoing journey of human exploration, and the Ion is here to accelerate tomorrow’s space endeavors,” said Jan E. Odegard, Executive Director of the Ion. “Together, our Ion community of startups, entrepreneurs, and academic institutions, across industries and disciplines – from health care to sports to e-commerce to resiliency – is the perfect place for human performance and for NASA to derive talent. Just as NASA is the perfect team to inspire our Ion community to reach for the stars. Together we will safeguard Houston’s title as ‘Space City’ and advance the global space industry for future missions.”

About the Ion

The Ion Celebrates their Cohorts’ Success with a Demo Day

Posted on July 9, 2022May 8, 2023 by Taylor Odum

The Ion, Houston’s tech epicenter, is excited to announce its fourth cohort of the Ion Smart and Resilient Cities Accelerator (ISRCA) and the second cohort of the Ion Aerospace Innovation Accelerator (AIA) for Minority Business Enterprises are in the home stretch of programming in their respective cohorts and will soon participate in Demo Day on June 14-15. This two-day celebration, which is open to the public, is hosted by the Ion Accelerator Hub, which has been working with ten organizations that are focused on building a safer, smarter, and more accessible city for all Houstonians. The Demo Days will celebrate both of the cohort’s successes through networking and pitch competitions.

Event details can be found here:

● June 14, at 4 PM: The Ion Accelerator Hub Demo Day

● June 15, at 1 PM: The Ion Accelerator Hub Elevator Pitch Competition

During the 12-week programs, ISRCA and AIA for Minority Business Enterprises startups participated in curated mentor office hours, networking, and events including 1:1 pitch coaching sessions, education, and training from top experts, design thinking workshops and executive coaching.

Presenting startups include:

● Boxes – Boxes is a Techstars and Greentown Labs startup. With their devices, they are powering the future of retail by combining physical and digital technology to democratize convenient, affordable, and sustainable retail.

● Cochran Aerospace – Cochrane Exploration offers everyone the opportunity to experience and experiment in space. They are developing unmanned vehicles to offer asset deployment and recovery for various mission profiles on a recurring schedule and crewed vehicles to transport teams to Space Stations, the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

● InnoGrid – The mission of InnoGrid is to provide equity through energy resiliency. They are developing the first working lab in the heart of Houston’s Innovation Corridor for microgrid and distributed energy resource (DER) innovators and start-ups from near and far.

● My AfterLife – My AfterLife organizes your entire online life into a bundle of digital living wills, funeral plans, multimedia memorial portfolios, and estate arrangements. They help you with the details of how you’re laid to rest and assure you get the final say.

● Renu Energy – Renu Energy Services Inc. is an energy technology company focused on energy recovery, creation, and storage. The startup is a services-based company converting waste to electricity on-site, providing reliable 24/7 energy, and keeping waste from the environment, landfills, and oceans.

● Rescunomics – Now, First Responders and Active Shooter victims can be found in real-time without latency. For the first time, emergency workers and Law Enforcement can view the internal layouts of the building they respond to just by typing the address into their Mobile Display Units (MDC).

● Spark Spaces – Sparks Spaces is an ESG-focused project management firm working on electrification, mobility, and energy transition. Their current solution allows EV drivers to charge anywhere.

● Smartiron – Smartiron is pioneering AI-enabled guidance for construction equipment. Our foundational product is an AI guidance module mounted on top of manned construction equipment providing operators with AI-assisted vision into their productivity, safety, and workflow.

● Studio Pod – Studio Pod was created with the mission to make professional-quality headshots more accessible through an interactive and self-guided experience. Through automation, we deliver a superior experience and product at a fraction of the price of a traditional headshot taken by a photographer.

● Universal Toll Tag – Unytag offers on-demand toll travel from your phone. Use their safe, simple, secure platform to pay as you travel through each toll. No more down payments at the beginning of the month to pay for tolls you haven’t passed through yet. Unytag only charges the account as you drive through the toll.

The Ion Accelerator Hub unites four accelerator programs under one roof. The hub works to cultivate technology and talent in relevant industries, including but not limited to engineering, construction, robotics, medicine, health support systems, and additive manufacturing. The Ion Accelerator Hub is empowered by the support of Ion partners Microsoft, Chevron, Aramco, ExxonMobil, Intel, bp, The City of Houston, NASA, and DivInc.

The Accelerator Hub is funded by a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration [ED20HDQ0200051]. The Ion’s Aerospace Innovation Hub is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency [MB20OBD8020146].

The Ion Welcomes ExxonMobil as a Founding Partner

Posted on June 13, 2022May 8, 2023 by Taylor Odum

The Ion, Houston’s innovation hub, announces ExxonMobil has joined as a Founding Partner to curate programming to advance the energy transition and create Houston’s workforce of tomorrow. The collaboration is effective immediately and was celebrated at the kick-off of the Ion’s Activation Festival.

“ExxonMobil has been a leader in energy technology for over a century. Collaboration is essential to both augment our capabilities and accelerate the development of scalable solutions,” said Linda DuCharme, president of ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company. “Our partnership with The Ion will enable us to tap into the extraordinary talent in Houston.”

ExxonMobil is working with the Ion to share best innovation and research practices to support the Ion’s mission as a global technology hub and further empower local entrepreneurs and Houston’s workforce. ExxonMobil plans to leverage the Ion’s innovation ecosystem, partner, and academic network, which has relationships with ten-plus local schools and universities, to help develop solutions for the world’s emerging energy issues. Long-term, this work will contribute to the overall growth of emerging technologies and innovation in Houston.

“To have one of the strongest brands in oil and gas globally join us is a testament to the Ion’s momentum and mission,” said Jan E. Odegard, executive director, Ion. “We’re thrilled to welcome ExxonMobil’s thought leaders and this caliber of mindshare to the Ion family. As the Ion expands its programming and footprint, we are confident in the impact we’ll create together.”

The Ion is the anchor of the 16-acre transformational, mixed-use development in Houston’s Ion District. The Ion’s other Founding Partners are Aramco, Chevron Technology Ventures, Baker Botts, and Microsoft and Affiliate Partners bp and Intel.

About the Ion

The Ion, Houston’s Innovation Epicenter, Announces Opening Celebration Activation Festival

Posted on April 29, 2022May 8, 2023 by Taylor Odum

Rice Management Company (RMC), the developer of the Ion, a 266,000 square-foot innovation hub within the greater Ion District located in Midtown, today announced it will host Activation Festival the week of May 9 to commemorate the building’s opening and in-person programming. The public is invited to partake in programming, explore the Ion’s amenities and learn about the educational and upskilling opportunities it offers beginning May 9 at 1:00 p.m. The Ion’s purpose is to strengthen Houston’s economic resilience and build a community for those that have not had access to economic opportunities in innovation and tech-enabled industries.

About the Building

Linking educational institutions, incubators, accelerators, businesses, entrepreneurs, and investors together, the Ion is creating pathways for the future workforce. The building is centrally located less than a mile from Downtown Houston and 1.5 miles from the Texas Medical Center. It is also steps from the Wheeler MetroRail station and is oriented for easy pedestrian, bike, train, bus, and rideshare access.

The building accommodates multiple uses, including 50,000 square feet devoted to public and shared spaces for events and programming, event space, classrooms, and maker spaces, including the Ion Prototyping Lab and the Ion Investor Studio. Current Ion tenants include technology giants Microsoft, Chevron Technology Ventures, Schlumberger, and Dow Chemicals, as well as startups like Liongard, one of Houston’s fastest-growing startups, and early-stage companies like Koda Health and Clutch. The Ion will also be home to four chef-driven restaurants by Houston-based restaurateurs, including The Lymbar, Late August, Common Bond, and Second Draught, a concept by Baileson Brewing, which will open in summer 2022.

Dramatically Redesigned for Today’s Workforce

Formerly an Art Deco, 1930s-era Sears, the Ion was collaboratively designed by SHoP Architects, James Carpenter Design Associates, and Gensler. Today, it is now a dramatically reimagined and purpose-built innovation hub that is also the anchor of Midtown’s upcoming transformational 16-acre Ion District. Gilbane and Walter P Moore played integral roles in the building’s construction and structural engineering. Hines served as the development manager. The building’s design team repurposed the existing structure to generate a smooth flow, connectivity, and transparency to innovation activities within the building and the half-acre outdoor plaza, designed by James Corner Field Operations.

The Ion’s structure includes the existing four-story concrete Sears building with an additional two floors of new class-A office atop. Preserved to revive the building’s architectural significance, the design and construction team meticulously preserved historical aspects of the original building, including the façade, historic concrete canopies, interior terrazzo flooring, mosaic surrounding the glass block windows, and the concrete structure.

Legacy and design elements of note:

● Display showcase windows (“vitrines”) on the façade, which were restored and are for small exhibitions. The first art exhibit titled “Eye On Art” is open for public enjoyment.

● An abundance of natural light, introduced through large window openings in the north, east, and west concrete exterior walls.

● A massive light well created through large openings in the center of each floor of the building with a 250-seat Forum Stair amphitheater at the ground level for public-facing events.

“To create a purposefully collaborative complex, RMC intentionally chose to bring in the world’s leading design and architecture teams to reimagine the Ion’s space to mirror its vision,” said Ryan LeVasseur, Managing Director, Direct Real Estate, RMC. “We are ecstatic that the public can celebrate SHoP, Gensler, James Carpenter, Field Operations, Gilbane, and Walter P Moore’s vision. Their ingenuity and collaboration created a dynamic hub and anchor to transform how Houstonians work, learn, and engage with its neighbors.”

Ion District Also Growing

The Ion anchors the forthcoming Ion District, an intentionally accessible, walkable, and integrated urban community. The growth of the Ion District continues to pick up momentum as the home to the second location of North America’s largest climate-tech incubator, Greentown Labs Houston, and the recently announced education facility for the nationally renowned Theatre Under The Stars. RMC is also continuing construction of the district’s third building, the 1,585 space District garage, and is in discussions for the development of three more buildings over the next three years.

About Activation Week

Activation Week begins May 9 with 2-3 programs daily through Friday, May 13. The event is a week-long, in-person showcase of the Ion and its innovation ecosystem partners. It includes an array of thought-provoking experiences, programs, and speakers, including a silent disco, demos with robotic dogs, keynotes and panels on the future of innovation, and a startup showcase, representative of the building’s diverse offerings and the breadth of audiences it serves. Activation Festival culminates in a community-wide block party to celebrate the heart of Houston’s new innovation district Friday evening. A complete list of public events can be found here, where you can also RSVP.

Opportunities to get Involved

Ongoing programming includes Cup of Joey, a weekly Friday networking event; Family Tech Day, an event for Houston’s youth and their families to learn more about how to build a big idea; How to Start a Startup, where attendees can learn how to identify problems, needs, and trends with their startup idea; and Houston Startup Showcase, a year-long series of monthly pitch competitions.

“The Ion offers a wide range of accessible programming,” said Jan E. Odegard, Executive Director of the Ion. “After more than a year adapting to the online and hybrid environment during 2020 and 2021, all of our events are now in-person, safety and health conditions permitting, and we’re thrilled to welcome the Houston community for this epic week.”

To follow the Ion’s journey and get involved, Houstonians and tech enthusiasts can sign-up for the newsletter here.

About the Ion

Stuff’d Wings Sets Opening Date for First-Ever Stand-Alone Concept to Rise in Houston’s New 16-Acre Innovation District

Posted on April 27, 2022May 8, 2023 by Taylor Odum

Ion District announced that STUFF’d Wings (401 Richmond Avenue) will officially open to the public on Friday, April 29, in the space formerly occupied by a Shipley Do-Nuts. Representing the first brick-and-mortar iteration of Jarrod and Prisoria Rector’s wildly popular food truck by the same name, the 2,100-square-foot restaurant marks the first-ever restaurant concept to make its debut in the 16-acre area surrounding the Ion innovation and community hub.

Since its 2019 launch, STUFF’d Wings has attracted legions of diehard fans who can’t resist its simple-but delectable menu made up of bone-in chicken wings stuffed with dirty rice, seafood boudin, chicken boudin and/or mac and cheese. Soon after the Rectors began operating out of their truck at 6402 Tierwester Street, they have regularly churned out over a thousand wings daily covered in a proprietary spicy/sweet sauce, often accompanied by a side of classic fries. Dessert offerings include a now-famous stuffed strawberry banana pudding with variations that include Oreo banana pudding and chocolate chip banana pudding.

The concept’s new brick-and-mortar digs within the evolving Ion District will feature a number of new menu items, including a fresh batch of stuffings that will be introduced on theme nights as well as unique holiday offerings like broccoli cheese casserole. STUFF’d on Richmond will also serve up a new loaded side dish in the form of Cajun fries covered in melted cheese, sriracha, ranch, and fresh boudin dressing. On weekends, Stuff’d will put a unique twist on breakfast when it begins rolling out stuffed hash browns, maple bacon wings glazed with maple syrup, and a glaze funnel cake. Drink offerings will include a variety of beer, wine, and soda.

“The journey to a permanent STUFF’d location in the Ion District is one that has a lot of personal significance for Prisoria and myself; she is really the reason why STUFF’d exists and why we are standing here about to expand the food truck into a brick and mortar,” emphasized Jarrod Rector, Co-Owner of STUFF’d Wings. He added, “We are thrilled to be able to reach new audiences and to see old favorites returning to check out our new spot. I can’t wait for first-time guests to try our wings because I love seeing the look on each person’s face when they take that initial bite. Conversely, I am really excited for our regulars who have tried everything on the menu to be able to sink their teeth into the new items that we’ve been perfecting for some time now. It’s going to be like one big family reunion!”

The Rectors enlisted the talents of prolific interior designer Gin Braverman of Gin Design Group on the restaurant’s interior FF&A – industry parlance for furnishings, fixtures, and accessories – as well as creative guidance from local artists who were recruited to further enhance the space.

The launch of STUFF’d Wings comes on the heels of the recently-opened Common Bond On-the-Go at the Ion – which made its anticipated debut in late January – and it will soon be joined by Late August, a new concept by Top Chef finalist Chef Dawn Burrell in partnership with Lucille’s Chef Chris Williams; The Lymbar – a craft cocktail bar and neighborhood restaurant by restaurant royalty, Chef David Cordúa; and Second Draught – a high-energy taproom from the creators of neighborhood brewpub Baileson Brewing Company featuring a robust selection of pours from Houston’s 70+ craft breweries – each of which will take up space within The Ion.

“Jarrod and Prisoria represent everything that the District stands for as local entrepreneurs who are bringing their creative passion, ingenuity, and determination together to cultivate an innovative experience that will be celebrated by the entire community,” said Bryson Grover, Investment Manager for Direct Real Estate at Rice Management Company.

As a microcosm of the broader Ion District mission to serve as a 16-acre civic nexus that enhances the totality of Houston’s community in a multitude of ways, STUFF’d Wings encapsulates each of its five core tenets: creation, dedication, connection, production, and immersion. As a vibrant and walkable urban destination built around the establishment of a diverse network of entrepreneurs, the Ion District – via the leadership of Rice Management Company – is committed to fostering small businesses and giving them the tools they need to thrive. To that end, STUFF’d Wings adds to a growing professional ecosystem within the Ion and the Ion District, one in which companies of all sizes collaborate with, support, and encourage one another to achieve success in their various disciplines.

As part of the launch, STUFF’d will produce a very limited run of merchandise items in collaboration with local apparel designer Jaylin Noah (@damnitsjaylin). Merch items will include t-shirts, hoodies, and sweatpants. Once items are sold out, they will not be reproduced. STUFF’d Wings will be open from 11 am to 8 pm on Tuesday through Thursday; 11am to 10pm on Friday through Saturday; 11 am to 6 pm on Sunday; closed Mondays.

About Ion District The Ion District is an intentionally accessible, walkable and integrated urban community. It spans 12 city blocks (16 acres) in Houston’s Midtown, where people, ideas, and businesses thrive. Initiated by Rice University, the Ion District energizes a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive future. At actively programmed events and spontaneous everyday moments, the Ion District invites residents, startups, corporate, academic, and civic leaders to unite, explore, and create opportunity together. For more information, visit https://iondistrict.com.

About STUFF’d Wings Created by Jarrod and Prisoria Rector, STUFF’d Wings are traditional chicken wings STUFF’d with Louisiana Boudin and other cuisines. The brand – which has gained popularity over the past three years – is built on faith, family and fun while giving the market something new and innovative. The STUFF’d Wings food truck can be found traveling around town and popping up at some of the top festivals and events in Houston. STUFF’d Wings will be opening its first retail location in Midtown and looks forward to customers traveling from all over the world making a visit to STUFF’d in the near future. For more information, please visit https://www.stuffdwings.com/.

The Ion and Ion District Join The Global Network of Innovation Districts

Posted on April 26, 2022May 8, 2023 by Taylor Odum

In a move that further solidifies its position as the home of innovation, The Ion, the epicenter for Houston’s innovation ecosystem, and the forthcoming Ion District, an accessible, walkable, and integrated urban community in Houston’s Midtown have joined a pioneering worldwide collaboration: the Global Network of Innovation Districts. The Ion District is the first innovation district from the state of Texas accepted as a member of the Global Network, which has been developed by The Global Institute on Innovation Districts’ (GIID).

The Global Network is a major initiative created to provide governments and investors with new insights and resources on how to support innovation districts as they re-energize cities. Positioned to become engines of economic development, innovation districts have the unique potential to spur productive, inclusive, and sustainable environments.

GIID, led by Julie Wagner and affiliated with the world-renowned Brookings Institution, is the preeminent global organization of thought leaders and developers of institutionally-led innovation districts. Along with 21 other members in the Global Network, including the Pittsburgh Innovation District in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Cortex Innovation Community in St. Louis, Missouri, Tech Central in Sydney, Australia, and Knowledge District Zuidas in Amsterdam, Netherlands, The Ion and Ion District will engage, collaborate, and contribute mindshare with innovation districts from across the globe. Additionally, by utilizing the organization’s research to build comprehensive expansion strategies, The Ion and Ion District will have an opportunity to validate its unique value proposition on a global stage.

“GIID’s Global Network is utilizing best practices of world-renowned innovation districts to accelerate regional economies. Their focus on placemaking, startup services, and community engagement are some of the critical components that lead to successful districts,” said Bryson Grover, Investment Manager of Real Estate Development, Rice Management Company, the developer of The Ion and Ion District.

“We are the only venture in Texas accepted into the Global Network to date, which is a testament to our progress and vision. With GIID, we will continue to think creatively about how the built environment and specialized programming can inform future development and allow equitable access to an ever-changing workforce.”

“We’re thrilled for The Ion and Ion District to join our network, especially as it commences its next steps on development later this year,” said Julie Wagner, President of GIID. “Our team has extensive experience working with unique real estate ventures that aim to transform how communities learn, work, and live. We look forward to playing a part in Houston’s transformation, and as we have documented in innovation districts around the world, having a leader like Rice drive the creation of the district is a key ingredient of its continued and growing success.”

Recently completed, The Ion, a 266,000 square-foot innovation hub, is an integral part of the forthcoming Ion District, which also includes Greentown Labs, the largest climatetech startup incubator in North America. The build-out of the Ion District encompasses more than three million square feet of development, which will occur over the next decade. The next building is already under construction, and RMC intends for three more to commence in the next year. In addition to office and research, and development space, the district will include multi-family apartments, retail space, entertainment venues, and several acres of highly programmed, fully-public outdoor space. Together, The Ion and Ion District create the foundational ingredients that entice talent to co-locate and innovate.

The Global Network’s goal for its members, like the Ion District anchored by The Ion, is to accelerate the growth of innovation districts—individually and collectively—through empirical analysis, peer learning, and technical support for implementing new strategies and initiatives in districts and their communities. Through structured engagement led by GIID, The Ion and Ion District will leverage insights and best practices on challenges and solutions that other districts have faced in the past or are currently facing.

“The Ion and the Ion District represent a major commitment and investment in the success of Houston as a center of innovation and a foundation of Houston’s economic future. From the very beginning of our planning, we visited innovation hubs and districts around the country and around the world to make sure that we drew on their experiences and best practices,” said Rice President David Leebron. “And by participating in the Global Network now, the Ion District will contribute to and benefit from a global exchange of knowledge among the very best innovation districts, which complements Rice’s broader international engagements and strategies.”

Rice University Provost Reginald DesRoches added, “Acceptance into the GIID pairs Rice and The Ion District with an unparalleled set of peers around the globe that have created transformative environments to collaborate and innovate. Through the GIID, Rice and the Ion District can lend its capacity to advance translational research to catalyze innovation and embrace global best practices.”

“As we create quality collaborations between entrepreneurs, corporations, academics, and the community, we are thrilled to be a part of the network and look forward to exchanging ideas with other members and their constituents,” added Jan E. Odegard, Executive Director, The Ion. “The valuable interactions the network provides will help our team build The Ion and Ion District into a globally-minded innovation hub and further cement Houston’s technology ecosystem.”

About the Ion

About the Ion District: The Ion District is an intentionally accessible, walkable and integrated urban community. It spans 12 city blocks (16 acres) in Houston’s Midtown, where people, ideas, and businesses thrive. Initiated by Rice University, the Ion District energizes a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive future. At actively programmed events and spontaneous everyday moments, the Ion District invites residents, startups, corporate, academic, and civic leaders to unite, explore, and create opportunity together. For more information, visit https://iondistrict.com.

About The Global Institute on Innovation Districts: The Global Institute on Innovation Districts (GIID) is a global-reaching not for profit organization dedicated to conducting independent and practice-oriented research on innovation districts—new geographies of innovation emerging primarily in cities and urbanizing areas. Drawing on deep analytics and proven impact, GIID seeks to identify how districts transform into new engines of city and regional economic growth. During a time of uneven growth, our research and work with a global network of districts aims to identify new systems for advancing inclusive innovation. For more on (GIID), visit https://www.giid.org

Aramco Joins The Ion as a Founding Partner to Advance Houston’s Innovation Community

Posted on April 4, 2022May 8, 2023 by Taylor Odum

Aramco Americas, the U.S. subsidiary of energy leader Aramco, has joined as a founding partner of The Ion, Houston’s newly opened innovation hub. Together, The Ion and Aramco Americas will create opportunities ranging from education to events to workforce development to advance energy transition and Houston’s tech economy over the next three years.

Aramco Americas (“Aramco”) is partnering with The Ion to share culture and best practices of innovation, knowledge gained from its global research and development network, and experience with early-stage, high-growth technology companies. Through its corporate venture capital arm, Aramco will further support The Ion’s mission as a global technology hub and empower local entrepreneurs and workforce.

“The addition of Aramco as a Founding Partner of The Ion is another step forward in the realization of our vision of The Ion as a globally connected innovation hub that brings new possibilities to the people of Houston,” Rice President David Leebron said. “We know the aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs of Houston will benefit from Aramco’s engagement, for which we are grateful.”

“I am excited to welcome Aramco as a Founding Partner to expand Houston’s technology and innovation ecosystem,” said Jan E. Odegard, Executive Director, The Ion. “Aramco’s involvement not only enables us to continue expanding our support toward inclusive and sustainable economic growth, but expand our reach globally, amplifying Houston as a high-growth technology ecosystem for energy, health, manufacturing, space, and transportation.”

Rice University Provost Reginald DesRoches added, “Innovation hubs such as The Ion are critical for creating more diverse and equitable economies. Partnering with Aramco Americas ensures The Ion and Rice can better deliver on this promise for the good of all Houstonians and we’re excited to come together and demonstrate our vested interest in evolving Houston’s economy.”

As part of its partnership with The Ion, Aramco has appointed Jim Sledzik, Managing Director, Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures, North America to The Ion Leadership Advisory Roundtable to help shape programming and offer insights on strategic direction. The organization will also actively participate in The Ion Prototyping Lab and The Ion Investor Studio to interact with entrepreneurs, corporate innovators, and venture capitalists to drive innovation and accelerate and grow the innovation ecosystem.

The Ion is the anchor of the 16-acre transformational, mixed-use development in Houston’s Ion District. The Ion’s other founding partners are Baker Botts, Microsoft, and Chevron Technology Ventures.

“Aramco’s commitment to innovation is reflected throughout our business operations,” said Nabeel I. AlAfaleg, President & Chief Executive Officer, Aramco Americas. “Partnerships like The Ion accelerate innovation, champion new ideas, and build a culture to address global energy challenges.”

About the Ion

About Aramco Americas Aramco Services Company (d/b/a Aramco Americas) is the U.S.-based subsidiary of Aramco, a world leader in integrated energy and chemicals, and has had a presence in the U.S. for more than 60 years. Aramco Americas is a contributor to the U.S. energy sector through research and development, venture fund activities, asset ownership, as well as technology and digital transformation. The company is headquartered in Houston, and maintains offices in New York, Washington D.C., Boston, and Detroit. Aramco Americas is committed to being a positive contributor in the communities where its employees live and work, and to making a difference through outreach that benefits the arts, geosciences, education, and the environment. americas.aramco.com

The Ion Launches New Art Display Supporting Houston Artists

Posted on March 31, 2022May 8, 2023 by Taylor Odum

The Ion, Houston’s innovation hub, has finalized its first window displays created by prominent local artists Preston Gaines and Lina Dib. The installations, commissioned by The Ion and Ion District, are now available for the public to view for free for the next six months as part of the Ion District’s ongoing art rotation program. The art displays are a visual expression of the intersection of art and innovation and are a reflection of The Ion and Ion District’s effort to support local talent.

The Ion and the Ion District Art Advisory Council selected the two artists’ installations after reviewing 60-plus submissions from local artists this past Fall with the support of public art consultant Piper Faust. Called “The Eye On Art Program,” the installations are meant to be an adaptive reuse of the beloved Sears building on which The Ion was built. The display windows are a unique opportunity to reimagine Sears’ store windows and build on the collective memory of the space’s past, present, and future. Strategically placed, as the entry points and eyes of the building, the two highly visible display windows facing Fannin and Main Streets serve as beacons to draw the community in.

“As the center for Houston’s innovation ecosystem, The Ion recognizes the importance of cross disciplinary connections creating and fostering innovation,” explained Jan E. Odegard, Executive Director of The Ion. “Creative expression and ideation is an essential part of The Ion’s bigger picture and mission. The Ion is committed to creating opportunities for Houston-based artists, like Preston and Lina, and looks forward to giving local artists and makers long-term platforms to create, innovate, and collaborate.”

About The Art:

Lina Dib’s “Self-Portrait in the Garden” is an over-the-top kitsch environment that includes plants, astro-turf, pink flamingos, and bright screens. Initially the images on the screens are of greenery, the sea, and the sky, but as viewers move, they scrub the images of nature to reveal reflections of their own presence. When viewers stop moving, nature slowly takes over again. This uncanny window installation entices visitors to question the boundaries they draw between categories, such as the natural and the artificial, and to playfully engage in conversation with its surroundings and others.

Preston Gaines’ “Fantasy Landscape” consists of numerous, interconnected panels that provide visitors with a mind-bending, multi-sensory journey. Filled with explosive color, mysterious pre-recorded sounds, the Fantasy Landscape supplies a look into a hypothetical future and a new way of viewing objects in nature and their role in human life. Each color is intended to connect to various areas of the human body and affect individuals differently emotionally, physically, and mentally. This combination of sensory stimuli forms an experience that is both meditative and dissociative, creating a space for the eyes, ears, mind, and body to explore. The outcome is a living, blooming floral paradise whose beauty flourishes when visitors engage with it: an ever-changing landscape, always different, a reflection of the personality of viewers themselves.

“As Houston, its neighborhoods, and the world-at-large open its doors again, a connector such as The Ion, is the perfect space to open up an installation of this scale,” explained Faust. “The Eye on Art Program isn’t simply art on a wall but installations that aim to entice, engage, and invite people into The Ion so they know it is a place where they can become part of a community, The Ion community.”

About The Artists: Preston Gaines and Lina Dib are Houston-based artists and educators. Trained in architecture and anthropology, respectively, both artists used interactive technology, motion, and touch to create their installations at The Ion. The juxtaposition of Dib and Gaines’ natural plants versus fabricated reality symbolize the individuality of innovation The Ion celebrates.

Gaines is an architect, artist, and industrial designer that manifests the hidden properties of nature through the use of technology, with the intention of learning and re-establishing our connection to the Earth. His immersive botanical installations and furniture designs raise fundamental questions about collective experience and imagine radical possibilities for the future of art and design.

Dib is a multidisciplinary artist and anthropologist. Her installations and compositions range from the experimental to the ethnographic and investigate socio-technical and ecological change. Her work has been supported by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Canada’s Social Science and Humanities Research Council, the Union of Concerned Scientists, AMIDA’s European training program, and the City of Houston among others.

The rotating art exhibition will open applications for its Fall 2022 exhibition later this Spring. Applications will be open to all artists and artist-teams over 18 years of age residing and working in the Greater Houston Area. The Ion and Ion District are committed to providing opportunities that advance Houston’s economy by not only seeking to involve local businesses, but also those who are racially and ethnically underrepresented. Creatives and artists are a vital part of this complete community, and it is The Ion and Ion District’s goal to foster inclusivity and diversity with all its partners. For preliminary information on the Spring 2022 application process, artists can contact Piper Faust at piper@piperfaustpublicart.com.

About the Ion

About Ion District: The Ion District is an intentionally accessible, walkable and integrated urban community. It spans 12 city blocks (16 acres) in Houston’s Midtown, where people, ideas, and businesses thrive. Initiated by Rice University, the Ion District energizes a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive future. At actively programmed events and spontaneous everyday moments, the Ion District invites residents, startups, corporate, academic, and civic leaders to unite, explore, and create opportunity together. For more information, visit https://iondistrict.com.

The Ion Launches the Innovator in Residence Program

Posted on February 1, 2022May 8, 2023 by Taylor Odum

The Ion is thrilled to announce the launch of its Innovator in Residence program! This is a unique opportunity for an individual interested in learning more about entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology to work alongside The Ion team. The Ion’s Innovator(s) in Residence will engage entrepreneurs, workforce development participants, and members of The Ion’s Academic Network, gaining exposure in the innovation ecosystem.

As our Innovator in Residence, you’ll work alongside members of The Ion team on initiatives and programs, helping feature Houston’s talent and increasing engagement in our technology ecosystem. You’ll discover and develop your entrepreneurial skills at Houston’s innovation hub–a critical part of Houston’s innovation infrastructure. In addition, the Innovator in Residence will support The Ion’s Prototyping Lab, Investor Studio, and Accelerator Hub.

So who is our ideal Innovator in Residence? This person will immerse themselves in a fast-paced environment, bringing ideas to life, assisting The Ion team in executing its vision and mission, and developing a diverse, inclusive, and robust technology ecosystem. Great minds and doers come from a range of backgrounds. Whether you are taking your first career steps, seeking a career change, or looking for a gateway into Houston’s innovation ecosystem, you are encouraged to apply. We will be selecting up to two Innovators to participate in our six-month-long residency program. To apply, please submit the following:

● A 1-page, double-spaced cover letter indicating your relevant experiences and interests in this role, as well as your resume, OR

● A 3-5 minute video showcasing your expertise and interest, OR

● A digital portfolio of your work that positions you as an ideal candidate for this position ● One letter of recommendation from a colleague or supervisor

● A link to your LinkedIn profile

This role is paid, non-benefits eligible, part-time opportunity (minimum of 15 hours per week, and not more than 30 hours, working on project-based assignments to support The Ion team) for an individual who is at least 18 years old and is legally authorized to work in the United States. A college degree is not required for the Innovator in Residence position. Please send your application to the following email: Info@ionhouston.com by March 4, 2022, with a subject line stating, Innovator in Residence Application. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The Innovator in Residence position will start April 6 – October 31, 2022.

We would like to thank our Founding Partners of The Ion, including Microsoft, Chevron, and Baker Botts, for supporting this opportunity.

About the Ion