Welcome to “Software Day at the Ion” – a program series hosted by the Ion and Mercury, where software founders can connect with mentorship at Houston’s HQ for innovation.

What is it: Software Day is a monthly series driving the support, inspiration, and connections needed to help startups on their path to rapid, sustainable growth. Each month, Software Day will include office hours (by application), a keynote session, and networking.

Each month will include a new speaker and topic covering the latest trends and breakthroughs in software technology and practical advice for founders. From AI to blockchain and guidance on fundraising, explore topics that are relevant for your company’s journey.

This month, join Aileen Allen, Venture Partner at Mercury and former B2B SaaS GTM Exec, as she moderates a discussion on Go-To-Market (GTM) best practices for early-stage companies. The panel will touch on:

• How to think about the right GTM strategy for your product and your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP)
• The importance of defining ICP and personas early
• Sales, marketing, and RevOps best practices 
• GTM org design and hiring
• Trends and insights from the Early-Stage GTM Report

Panelists include:

• Lisa Roberts, CMO, Otto
• Mike Miles, VP of RevOps, Cognite
• Sean Rohde, VP of Sales and Marketing, Kahuna

Participating Startups
(Startups have already been selected for this month) 

Afterward, join us for a networking happy hour at Second Draught, brought to you by Gunderson Dettmer, where you can connect with fellow entrepreneurs, investors, and industry professionals, forging connections that could shape the future of your venture.

“Software Day at the Ion” isn’t just an event – it’s a catalyst for growth and collaboration. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of Houston’s thriving tech ecosystem. Join us as we bring together leading mentors, promising startups, and like-minded Houstonians focused on transformative software innovations.