Torey Brown, Author at Ion District

Software Day at the Ion is Back in 2025!

Posted on January 8, 2025 by Torey Brown

The Ion and Mercury are back with Software Day, a monthly program series designed to empower software startups on their journey toward rapid, sustainable growth. Whether you’re looking to gain actionable advice, expand your network, or showcase your startup, Software Day is the place to be in 2025.

What is Software Day?

This monthly series, comprising mentor office hours, fireside chats, and networking, establishes a critical axis for the software innovation community to rally around at the Ion. It brings together leading mentors, promising early-stage startups, and like-minded Houstonians focused on building transformative software innovations.

Prior to a fireside chat, a select group of seed-stage software startups will participate in mentor office hours. Over the course of 2 hours, startup entrepreneurs looking for guidance and seasoned founders needing help tackling tough challenges will have access to a group of curated mentors from the Mercury network. The ideal profile of a company for this mentorship program is a pre-Series A software startup that is in the early stages of revenue generation. Interested startups are encouraged to submit their applications here. Each month, startups will be selected to participate in the mentor office hours.

2025 Software Day Schedule
Mark your calendars for the upcoming Software Days at the Ion:

February 4, 2025
March 25, 2025
May 20, 2025
June 24, 2025
August 26, 2025
October 14, 2025

Applications for February 4 Are Open!
Are you a pre-Series A software startup in the early stages of revenue generation? Don’t miss the chance to participate in curated office hours, where you’ll receive guidance from mentors with expertise in high-growth software innovations.

Submit your application now to secure your spot for February’s Software Day.

Visit our new Software Day page for details about the program, see past topics, upcoming date, and opportunities to get involved.

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About Ion: Located in Ion District, the namesake building is the transformative centerpiece of Houston’s innovation corridor, powered by Rice University. 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—welcoming individuals and teams of all kinds to a place to build a better way. The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship leads programming at the Ion.

About Mercury: Mercury is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on software startups outside the coasts. Mercury’s investment themes target B2B and B2B2C SaaS and data platforms enabling the digital transformation of markets, industries, and customer relationships. To date, Mercury has created over $9 billion of value with an operationally focused investment strategy helping startups achieve rapid, sustainable growth. Mercury is headquartered in Houston with offices in Austin, Chicago, and Detroit. To learn more, visit mercuryfund.com.

Community Artists’ Collective Announces New Location in the Ion District

Posted on December 11, 2024December 18, 2024 by Torey Brown

Press release originally distributed by Community Artist Collective.

The Community Artists’ Collective, (CAC), is thrilled to announce its new home within the Ion District. The new location allows CAC opportunities to expand its impact by offering a spacious gallery, classroom, and retail space that helps CAC reintroduce their robust arts programming. This move marks a significant milestone in CAC’s ongoing mission to foster cultural enrichment and artistic expression within the community.

“We are excited about the opportunities this move presents,” said April M. Frazier, Assistant Director of the Community Artists’ Collective. “Our new location at the Ion District, in partnership with Rice Real Estate Company and Rice University, will allow us to reach new heights in our mission to support and celebrate the arts in Houston.” Co-Founder and Executive Director Michelle Barnes adds, “Since its inception, we have dreamed and planned for growth and enhanced reach in the community, we believe this partnership positions us to continue our mission to provide the link to arts and culture to inspire unlimited creativity.”

The new location in the Ion District was facilitated through a strategic relationship with Rice Real Estate Company, a division of Rice University, and underscores a shared commitment to supporting the arts and supporting a vibrant cultural landscape in Houston. “We’re proud to support the Community Artists’ Collective in this new chapter,” said Sam Dike, Investment Manager of Strategic Investments. “The arts are a vital part of our community, and this partnership reflects our dedication to fostering a rich cultural environment.”

Cultural Significance of the Community Artists’ Collective

For over three decades, the Community Artists’ Collective has been a cornerstone of Houston’s cultural and artistic community. CAC’s programs and initiatives have empowered countless artists, provided vital arts education, and enriched the cultural fabric of the city. The move to the Ion represents a new chapter in CAC’s storied history, offering a state-of-the-art space that will enable the organization to continue its mission with renewed vigor.

The Collective invites the community to experience the new space during the Ashe` Holiday Market, December 12^th through December 21^st.

Open Hours: Thursday – Saturday 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

4111 Fannin Street, Suite 100

Houston, TX 77004

Contact Information

For more information, please contact: Community Artists’ Collective | 713-523-1616 info@thecollective.org | www.thecollective.org

Comfort Food with a Cause: Chef Lena’s Asian Kitchen Brings a New Taste to Cafe Ion

Posted on November 8, 2024November 8, 2024 by Torey Brown

Chef Lena, former Chopped winner and founder of Lena’s Asian Kitchen, is making waves beyond the television screen with her commitment to authentic Asian comfort food and a mission-driven business model. Now in partnership with Cafe Ion, Lena is set to introduce a range of grab-and-go meal options to Houston’s innovation hub. Her company, which provides employment and culinary training for domestic violence survivors, has roots in both her passion for cooking and her dedication to empowering others. To celebrate this new venture, Cafe Ion hosted a sample tasting and meet-and-greet with Chef Lena herself, where visitors discovered Lena’s Asian Kitchen’s unique flavors.

Growing up in Vietnam, Chef Lena’s love for food came from eating delicious meals. “I was always a happy child when my parents took me out to eat,” she laughs. It wasn’t until she moved to Houston in 2015 that she found herself in the kitchen, missing the comfort of homemade Asian dishes. By 2017, she enrolled in culinary school, driven by two things: a craving to bring authentic Asian comfort food to Houston, and a desire to help survivors of domestic violence—a mission born from her time volunteering at local shelters.

“When I worked at shelters, I saw survivors struggle to hold down jobs because of their trauma,” Lena shares. That realization led to Lena’s Asian Kitchen, a business that not only serves food but offers training and employment to those overcoming hardship. Winning Chopped brought new opportunities, but for Lena, the real victory is making an impact through her food and her team.

Now, she’s introducing her grab-and-go meals to Cafe Ion, bringing flavors inspired by her heritage and community-focused mission to the Ion. “I want to share our culture with everyone, and what better way than with healthy, delicious food?” she says. The grab-and-go meals are healthy options for busy patrons at the Ion—flavorful, nourishing and a little piece of home in each bite. Lena’s Asian Kitchen is 100% dairy free, nut free, gluten free and keto. Customers can pre-order on their website and pickup at Cafe Ion.

Through each meal, Lena is sparking awareness around domestic violence and creating a platform for positive change. “Giving back is my number one purpose,” she says. “Our food will light up your day and keep you going—our goal is to do that for everyone here at the Ion.”

Learn more about Lena’s Asian Kitchen and Lena’s Foundation.

The Ion adds new partners Oxy, Fathom Fund and Activate

Posted on October 29, 2024October 31, 2024 by Torey Brown

Rice University and the Rice Real Estate Company are proud to announce new partnerships with Houston-based Occidental (Oxy), Fathom Fund and Activate, marking a major milestone as the Ion is now 90% leased. These new leases highlight the Ion’s growing role as a premier destination for partners dedicated to empowering startups and fostering technological innovation in Houston’s thriving Midtown district.

“As the Ion continues to attract leading companies and organizations across industries, it’s clear that our vision of creating a dynamic and collaborative environment for innovation is resonating,” said Ken Jett, president of the Rice Real Estate Company and vice president of facilities and capital construction at Rice. “We are proud to set the standard for how the workplace can evolve to foster the commercialization and growth of transformative technologies that enhance quality of life in our community and beyond.”

Partners fueling Houston’s startup ecosystem

Oxy, Activate and Fathom Fund are playing key roles in nurturing the growth of Houston’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Beyond their leases, these partners contributed significantly to high-impact programming such as the inaugural Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week last month and key partners in bringing venture capitalists, startups and innovators to highlight Houston’s leadership in the energy transition. Notably, Oxy President and CEO Vicki Hollub was featured recently in a live podcast recording with “My Climate Journey,” and Activate recently hosted its first “Meet the Cohort” event showcasing breakthrough technologies from its entrepreneurial fellows.

Collaborative space for startups

Oxy, which seeks to engage with innovators who are aligned with its initiatives to address atomospheric emissions and develop lower carbon products, has secured a prime location spanning nearly 6,500 square feet on the fourth floor of the Ion. Joining Oxy are two innovation powerhouses that are shaping the future: Fathom Fund and Activate. Fathom Fund, a Houston-based deep-tech venture capital firm, stands apart from most VC funds with its unique ability to dive deep into emerging technologies, backing visionary founders and high-risk, high-reward innovations that have the potential to redefine entire industries.

Activate, a national leader in translating cutting-edge science into marketable technologies, has established locations in Berkeley, California, New York and Boston. With the Ion as its only Texas location, Activate is expanding its renowned fellowship model to Houston and the Midwest, providing not just funding but also unparalleled mentorship, resources and strategic networks to bring breakthrough discoveries to market. With Fathom Fund and Activate already utilizing their new spaces, their presence solidifies the Ion as a premier hub for innovation, collaboration and technological advancement.

Oxy’s office design and construction are slated for completion by early 2025, creating a dynamic environment where industry leaders, technologists and entrepreneurs can come together to shape the future of energy and technology.

The Ion’s leasing momentum follows other notable additions, including Kongsberg Digital, Artemis Energy Partners, CES Renewables and Eleox, which have also contributed to the Ion’s vibrant community of forward-thinking companies.

“The partnerships we’ve forged are vital to shaping the Ion into a vibrant ecosystem for startups, where collaborative innovation is not only driving local economic growth but also positioning Houston as a global leader in the energy transition,” said Paul Cherukuri, chief innovation officer at Rice. “With our team leading the programming and activation across the Ion District, we are creating companies that harness cutting-edge technology for the benefit of society — advancing solutions that contribute to social good while addressing the most pressing challenges of our time. This powerful network is redefining Houston’s role in the future of energy, technology and social impact.”

Hub for innovation and collaboration

The Ion, designed to set a new standard for workplace innovation, boasts LEED Gold, Wired Score Platinum and WELL Silver certifications. The state-of-the-art facility offers flexible spaces designed to meet the needs of startups at every stage, while also providing access to community programming, networking events and unique amenities like dining options, a fitness center, coworking spaces and a prototyping lab.

Located at the heart of the 16-acre Ion District, the Ion serves as a catalyst for the commercialization of technologies developed at Rice and beyond. Its strategic partnerships with organizations like Chevron, Microsoft, Aramco, Baker Botts, ExxonMobil, Woodside Energy and others ensure that it remains a leading hub for technological innovation and entrepreneurship

The Ion building is the transformative centerpiece of Houston’s innovation corridor, powered by Rice. Designed to bring the 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.

Introducing Ion District Eats To-Go: A Seamless Way to Order from Your Favorite Spots

Posted on September 19, 2024October 17, 2024 by Torey Brown

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of Ion District Eats To-Go, an exciting new online ordering platform that allows you to place orders from multiple restaurants within Ion District—all in one go! Whether you’re planning a group order or just grabbing a quick bite for yourself, Ion District Eats To-Go offers the ultimate convenience.

With easy online access, you can now order from popular spots like Late August, The Lymbar, Second Draught, Cafe Ion, and Stuff’d Wings. Simply visit the platform, place your order, and receive a notification when your meal is ready for pick-up.

Though delivery is not available at this time, we’re committed to making your dining experience seamless and enjoyable. Plus, keep an eye out for new and exclusive menu items only available through Ion District Eats To-Go!

Ready to enjoy hassle-free dining? Visit iondistrict.menu and discover how easy it is to order from your favorite eateries at once. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to expand our offerings and improve your dining experience.

Additionally, enjoy exclusive bar bites available for order at Second Draught and Pickle Lab!

Don’t miss out—grab your next meal with Ion District Eats To-Go!

Bayou Startup Showcase Highlights University-affiliated Student Ventures at the Ion

Posted on August 8, 2024 by Torey Brown

The annual Bayou Startup Showcase presented by Rice University’s OwlSpark and the University of Houston’s RED Labs took place Aug. 1 at the Ion – Houston’s innovation hub powered by Rice.

OwlSpark, created and ran by the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, and RED Labs have partnered on this showcase for eleven years to create an environment that cultivates entrepreneurs and early-stage startup teams, enabling founders to share ideas, experience the value of collaboration, and surround themselves with the best people and resources. The two universities are both ranked No. 1 in the country for entrepreneurship programs.

“This partnership has seen 401 founders across 181 ventures collectively raise more than $110M,” said Jessica Fleenor, managing director of OwlSpark. “Our alumni are living proof that collaboration works. Our 11-year partnership leverages the community to provide a springboard for emerging founders, demonstrating that Houston is the place for entrepreneurship.”

RED Labs and OwlSpark each provide a 12-week program designed to help the universities’ respective students, faculty, staff and recent alumni accelerate their business or business idea with hands-on entrepreneurship experiences and a roadmap from innovation to commercialization. These accelerators are then celebrated each year with the Bayou Startup Showcase with opportunities to make connections with customers and investors.

This year’s event kicked off with the 18 teams pitching their businesses to a large, standing-room-only audience before the showcase was then opened for the audience to view and interact with the pitched products and services as well as engage with the founders and discover ways to support and grow these businesses.

Ventures ranged from hair care to health care, highlighting the vast array of expertise and experience that comes from Houston’s entrepreneurship ecosystem that Rice and UH have spearheaded.

“I can do anything in a laboratory, but once you hit the real world and the business part about it, it’s really important to find mentors and get a comprehensive sense of what that ecosystem looks like,” said Jonathan Stein, founder of Euvivo Biosciences. “The program has been amazing.”

“The day is a celebration of entrepreneurship, spotlighting the newest startups and small businesses,” said Brad Burke, associate vice president for industry and new ventures at Rice’s Office of Innovation and executive director of Rice Alliance.

“We want to celebrate the spirit of Houston by supporting our two great hometown universities, these innovative founders and the vibrant entrepreneurial community that makes the Bayou City so special,” he said.

Learn more about all 18 teams here.