Ion District

Houston Robotics Group at Ion Prototyping Lab
2024-03-02 14:00 - 17:00, 2024-02-24 14:00 - 17:00, 2024-02-17 14:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Ion Prototyping Lab, 4201 Main St., Suite 170, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Innovate, Collaborate, and Learn: Weekly Meetings at Ion Prototyping Lab!
Join the Houston Robotics Group for an exciting exploration of a diverse range of projects! Whether you’re interested in software development, AI/Deep Learning, electronics, mechanics, drones, or automation, our group offers a welcoming and supportive community to pursue your passions.
Should you require assistance with your projects, fear not! The Houston Robotics Group is composed of highly skilled experts in various domains, including Arduino, Raspberry Pi, motor controls, 3D printing & design, coding, electronics, board assembly, and debugging.
Additionally, we’re well-versed in Jetson Nano, Deep Learning, and various cutting-edge technologies. Our passion for robotics and related fields drives us to continuously push boundaries and explore new possibilities together.
Join the Houston Robotics Group today and immerse yourself in a community of like-minded individuals dedicated to the world of robotics and beyond!

Ion Prototyping Lab Office Hours
2024-03-01 10:00 - 14:00, 2024-02-23 10:00 - 14:00, 2024-02-16 10:00 - 14:00 | Ion Prototyping Lab, 4201 Main St., Suite 170, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
What is the Ion Prototyping Lab (IPL)?
The Ion Prototyping Lab is where your ideas meet the designers, engineers, and fabricators that can make them a reality. Located at The Ion, the intersection of Houston’s culture, creativity, and innovation. Our 6,500-square-foot site offers access to equipment, engineers, and technical training–a must for every inventor, innovator, and creator.
The Ion Prototyping Lab Office Hours offer entrepreneurs a chance to engage an expert one-on-one and explore options for building or producing their devices. Everyone from seasoned entrepreneurs to educators or “just a person with an idea” is welcome. Walk-ins are served on a first-come, first-served basis.
The initial discussion is at no cost, but subsequent meetings may require a consultation fee.
For more information about the IPL – be sure to check out their website and sign up for their newsletter to stay connected! The IPL offers various classes/workshops throughout the month – be sure to check out their calendar to register.
Interested in signing up for a membership? Click here

SCORE Office Hours
2024-03-01 10:00 - 11:30 | Ion – Lower Level, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
SCORE is the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors. Office Hours with SCORE take place each Friday morning. Additional partners will be on-site the second Friday of each month (excluding holidays).

Resource tables include:The Small Business Administration
SCORE
Small Business Development Center

Houston Angel Network: Angel 101
2024-03-01 09:00 - 15:30 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Join us at the Ion for an exciting day featuring HTR’s Friday programming, which includes networking and panel discussions about driving growth and investing.
Register here!
As part of H-Town Roundup, Houston Angel Network will present “Angel 101,” on March 1st, 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM at the Ion. This class will cover the basics of innovation and venture investing. Intended for the novice to intermediate early-stage investor, topics will include:

Who are Angel Investors
The Innovation Asset Class
Angel Investing Lifecycle & Timeframe
The Angel Portfolio
Deal Sourcing
Industry Trends in Consumer, Technology, Life Sciences, and Energy
The Angel Toolkit
The Houston Innovation Ecosystem

Cup of Joey
2024-03-01 08:30 - 10:30 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
What is the purpose of Cup of Joey? It is to create a connected culture of coffee shop-open networking across our region. Every Friday morning, you’ll have the opportunity to meet new and expand your current networks, talk about tech, inspire innovation, and create community.
So, what is the difference between a cup of joe and a Cup of Joe-Y? It is the WHY. It’s not what you do. It is why you do it!
At the Ion, these are questions that we want to explore with the tech and innovation community. So, show up, be friendly, and make new connections. Know your why, and we will get to the future together.
The future is only a cup away.

Innovation on Tap: Omid Veiseh, Rice University
2024-02-29 16:00 - 18:00 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Building an Ecosystem for Biotechnology Innovation at Rice, Houston, and Beyond — Starting with the Biotech Launch Pad
Featured Speaker: Omid Veiseh, Ph. D. is the Faculty Director of the Biotech Launchpad and Associate Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at Rice University, where he leads a research program aimed at engineering next-generation treatments for a wide range of human diseases by leveraging the latest techniques in synthetic biology, immunoengineering, and materials science to develop innovative cell-based platforms for real-time production of biologics. He is also a serial entrepreneur who has co-founded Sigilon Therapeutics (Nasdaq: SGTX), Avenge Bio, Pana Bio, and Curada Bio. These companies collectively have attracted ~ $500M in private and public investment capital.
We invite attendees to join the featured speaker and event attendees for networking at Second Draught after the talk.
About Innovation on Tap: Disruptive Technology Talks with Houston’s Leading Researchers
Industrial innovation is in the DNA of Houston (energy, health, space, and transportation), and the Ion is at the forefront of moving the city to become a technology destination, a central place where we support bold moves that embrace the innovation economy at an industrial scale. The Ion is a place where we accelerate disruption by connecting people and ideas to create a future that will not only change Houston but also change the world.
Ion Innovation on Tap lecture series is focused on bridging world-leading academic research to the broader innovation ecosystem, creating connections and partnerships that will not only accelerate translation and commercialization but form relationships that will drive future fundamental advances needed to address fundamental problems like decarbonization, personalized health care, and create resilient and sustainable livable communities.
Examples of disruptive technology include but are not limited to AI and machine learning, robotics, synthetic biology, neuro-engineering, nano-materials, cyber security, imaging, blockchain, and quantum computing.
The lecture series will feature leading researchers spanning engineering, science, and design, showcasing advanced technology and innovation from academic research labs and programs. Largely inaccessible and buried in journals and conference proceedings, technology will be presented in an accessible TED-style lecture format with ample networking opportunities. The disruptive technology lecture series will serve as a magnifying glass connecting fundamental technology to people and organizations that can benefit and help activate technology through commercialization. More than that, the lecture series will serve as a front door for collaboration between researchers and industry partners and/or the formation of new technology startups that will help establish Ion and Houston as a global hub for innovation.

H-Town Roundup 2024 at Greentown Labs
2024-02-29 13:00 - 19:00 | Greentown Labs, 4200 San Jacinto St, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Greentown Labs will host the Climatetech and Energy Transition session on Thursday, February 29, followed by networking!
Register here.
H-Town Roundup will gather the brightest minds, innovative ideas, and impactful startups from across the city, the region and beyond. Join 5,000 innovators, entrepreneurs and tech talent for one global week of innovation, tech and entrepreneurial impact. Greentown Labs will host a series of workshops, panels, tours, and a networking to follow!
AGENDA
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Registration
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM: Workshops 1 & Workshops 2*
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM: Panel: Capturing Tomorrow: Innovations in Carbon Capture Technologies
-Nour Ghadanfar, Senior Director of Partnerships Programs, Greentown Labs
-Brett Kerr, Vice President of External Affairs, Calpine
-Harrison Rice, Founder and CEO, GigaDAC
-Jonah Margulis, Head of North America, Aker Carbon Capture
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM: Fireside Chat
-Timmeko Moore Love, Houston General Manager and Senior Vice President, Greentown Labs
-Jane Stricker, Senior Vice President, Energy Transition and Executive Director, HETI, Greater Houston Partnership
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Panel: How Industrial Biology is Providing Humanity with a Sustainable Future (Speakers Coming Soon!
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Networking & Happy Hour
“Please note: Participation in workshops is limited, and selected participants will be notified of their slot. During this time, Greentown Labs will host a 30-minute tour for the first 25 event attendees that are interested. If you are not participating in the workshop and would like a tour of Greentown Labs, please arrive at 1:30pm, as the tour will be held on a first-come-first-serve basis.”

Perfecting Your Pitch
2024-02-28 17:30 - 18:30 | Ion – Conference Room 028, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur, a visionary startup owner, or a tech aficionado, this event is tailor-made for you. Join us and discover the indispensable value of a compelling pitch deck.
About the Speakers
Dr. Doug Franklin
“Dr. Doug” is the CEO and Co-Founder of DeckLaunch and the COO of Fresh Tech Solutionz. He has fifteen years of management, marketing, and operations experience, including opportunities with iconic firms such as Coca-Cola, ExxonMobil, and RJ Reynolds. Dr. Franklin is also a leading scholar who has presented at more than a dozen conferences and has published in peer-reviewed journals such as The Leadership Quarterly and The Journal of the Texas Alliance of Black School Educators. Dr. Franklin graduated with a Doctoral Degree in Ethical Leadership from the University of St. Thomas Houston and currently teaches Quantitative and Mixed Research Methods at UST.
Derrell Noris
With more than ten years dedicated to developing business operations and software development, Noris is the Co-Founder and CTO of Deck Launch and the CEO of Fresh Tech Solutionz. Both successful startups provide services to growing businesses looking to mobilize their outreach further.
Nicholas Mbaezue-Daniel Jr.
Nick is the founder of Egis Project Management LLC, a project management firm dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses for projects in Construction, Technology, and Business Enterprise. He also serves as Director of Project Management for Fresh Tech Solutionz and Chief Operations Officer at DeckLaunch LLC. Nicholas considers himself a servant of entrepreneurship because he sees entrepreneurship as a major vehicle to uplift the community.

Blackstreet: Empowerment Through Investment
2024-02-27 17:30 - 19:30 | Greentown Labs, 4200 San Jacinto St, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Greentown Labs and Ion District are hosting the 4th installment of the Blackstreet: Celebrating Black Innovators event series. Join us from 5:30 PM– 7:30 PM for a panel discussion with African-American investors and learn about the new Houston Ion District Investor Activation training program for angel investors and early-stage investors.
Learn more about the Houston Ion District Investor Activation training program here.

Ion Prototyping Lab Office Hours
2024-02-27 13:00 - 17:00, 2024-02-20 13:00 - 17:00, 2024-02-13 13:00 - 17:00 | Ion Prototyping Lab, 4201 Main St., Suite 170, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
What is the Ion Prototyping Lab (IPL)?
The Ion Prototyping Lab is where your ideas meet the designers, engineers, and fabricators that can make them a reality. Located at The Ion, the intersection of Houston’s culture, creativity, and innovation. Our 6,500-square-foot site offers access to equipment, engineers, and technical training–a must for every inventor, innovator, and creator.
The Ion Prototyping Lab Office Hours offer entrepreneurs a chance to engage an expert one-on-one and explore options for building or producing their devices. Everyone from seasoned entrepreneurs to educators or “just a person with an idea” is welcome. Walk-ins are served on a first-come, first-served basis.
The initial discussion is free, but subsequent meetings may require a consultation fee.
For more information about the IPL – be sure to check out their website and sign up for their newsletter to stay connected! The IPL offers various classes/workshops throughout the month – be sure to check out their calendar to register.
Interested in signing up for a membership? Click here

Blackstreet x Visionary Voices: Exploring Frontiers with Dr. Bernard Harris Jr.
2024-02-26 09:30 - 11:30 | Ion – Forum Stairs, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Celebrate Black History Month with a special installment of Ion’s “Visionary Voices” speaker series featuring Dr. Bernard Harris Jr., a NASA astronaut and first African American to walk in space, founder, CEO, philanthropist, and venture capitalist. Together, we’ll dive into Dr. Harris’ remarkable life and experiences with a riveting fireside chat hosted by Rice University President Reginald DesRoches.
Prepare to be captivated as we delve into the depths of Dr. Harris’ groundbreaking achievements, from historic spacewalks to transformative contributions in healthcare innovation and STEM education.
Registration is free and open while space permits. We hope you’ll join us for this ‘once in a blue moon’ opportunity that promises to ignite your imagination and inspire you to break your own frontiers.
Agenda:
9:30 a.m. – Check-in
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. – Networking breakfast
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. – Fireside chat on the Ion Forum Stairs, moderated by Rice University President Reginald DesRoches
Dr. Bernard Harris Jr.
Dr. Harris was at NASA for ten years, where he conducted research in musculoskeletal physiology and clinical investigations of space adaptation and developed in-flight medical devices to extend Astronaut stays in space. A veteran astronaut for over twenty years, he has logged more than 438 hours and traveled over 7.2 million miles in space, and became the first African American to walk in space through the join Russian-American Space Program in 1995.
Dr. Harris is currently Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of Vesalius Ventures, Inc., a venture capital firm, that invests in early-to mid-stage healthcare technologies and companies. He is also the Founder of the Harris Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports math/science education and crime prevention programs for America’s youth.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Houston, a Master of Medical Science from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Houston and a Doctorate of Medicine from Texas Tech University School of Medicine. He completed a Residency in Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic, a National Research Council Fellowship in Endocrinology at the NASA Ames Research Center and trained as a Flight Surgeon at the Aerospace School of Medicine, Brooks Air Force Base. He is also a licensed private pilot and certified scuba diver.
Dr. Harris is the author of “Dream Walker: A Journey of Achievement and Inspiration.” His goals in life have been achieved through self-empowerment and self-determination. He believes that education and effort will allow anyone to meet any challenge in life, inspiring others to reaches for the stars.

Sewn Goods Office Hours at Ion Prototyping Lab
2024-02-23 11:00 - 13:00 | Ion Prototyping Lab, 4201 Main St., Suite 170, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Do you have a new product idea you want to bring to life but don’t know where to start?
IPL+HTX Sewn Goods Office Hours are here to help!
Ion Prototyping Lab is partnering with HTX Sewn Goods team to turn your idea into a tangible prototype. During office hours, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss cutting, sourcing, material, construction, and production options. Plus, you’ll leave with a clear understanding of the prototyping process and the next steps you need to take to bring your product to market.

SCORE Office Hours
2024-02-23 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-02-16 10:00 - 11:30 | Ion – Academic Flex Space, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
SCORE is the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors. Office Hours with SCORE take place each Friday morning. Additional partners will be on-site the second Friday of each month (excluding holidays)
Resource tables include:
The Small Business Administration
SCORE
Small Business Development Center

Cup of Joey
2024-02-23 08:30 - 10:30, 2024-02-16 08:30 - 10:30 | Ion – Forum Stairs, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States

NASA Tech Talks
2024-02-22 18:00 - 19:30 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
We want HOU! Join us to discover NASA’s toughest tech challenges and apply your skills and expertise to solve them.

Featured Program:

JSC R5: Developing a low-cost on-orbit technology demonstration and free-flying inspection platform
The R5 Project is pioneering a new lean approach to small spacecraft missions to quickly and cheaply demonstrate technologies, mission concepts, and more. The cost to orbit for small spacecraft has dropped dramatically over the last decade. This has enabled new, higher-risk missions. These missions can accelerate immature technologies to on-orbit demonstrations, enabling them to be infused more quickly and cheaply into larger missions. This presentation will briefly overview the evolution of small spacecraft at JSC, the exploration of this new approach, and the future it might enable.
Sam Pedrotty
Sam works in the GNC Autonomous Flight Systems Branch at Johnson Space Center. Sam has worked on various projects, including Morpheus/ALHAT, Commercial Crew, Orion, and Seeker. Sam is currently the Project Manager for the R5 Project, which endeavors to pioneer faster and lower-cost capabilities for technology demonstration in LEO. Sam is also the Chief Engineer for the SPLICE Project, which is focused on closing gaps in precision landing and hazard avoidance capabilities with a near-term focus on lunar applications. Sam would love to connect with you to explore collaborations related to precision landing and hazard avoidance, in-space inspection, vision-based navigation, mid-lift-to-drag ratio rigid-body entry vehicles, expanding the use of COTS components in space, and more.

Program Partner and Moderator
In these presentations, occurring on the fourth Thursday of the month, Mr. Montgomery Goforth, Assistant Director, Strategic Pursuits & Partnerships – Engineering Directorate, NASA JSC, and other aerospace subject matter experts will discuss the technology development challenges faced by NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC) and the surrounding Aerospace community in our ongoing efforts as the hub of human spaceflight. Presentations will focus on how these challenges, and the associated opportunities, can be leveraged by Houston’s innovation community.

Join us after the talk for drinks and networking at Second Draught!

NASA Tech Talks topics include dual-use (space/terrestrial) technologies and focus areas in:

Avionics / Communication / Sensors
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for ultra-long-lived wireless sensors
Power Storage and Distribution
Autonomous & Robotics Systems
Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA) Systems
Virtual/Augmented Reality in Human Spaceflight Training & Execution
Human Health & Performance / Human Systems Research
NASA Intellectual Property suitable for commercialization by small/start-up companies
Orion’s parachutes and risk identification and mitigation strategies
Leveraging Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for ultra-long-lived wireless sensors
Featured speakers from Intuitive Machines and Orbital Mining Corporation

About the Speakers:
Montgomery B. Goforth has over 30 years of experience as both an Engineer and Manager in various highly technical space and defense-related efforts. He joined NASA in 1990 as part of the Mission Operations Directorate, working on planning systems and automated procedure execution tools for the International Space Station (ISS). He became Deputy Project Manager for the Portable Computer System, the laptop used for command and control of the ISS, in 1996. He became Chief of the Branch responsible for all laptops onboard the ISS and the Space Shuttle.

In 2002, he moved to the ISS Avionics and Software Office as Manager of the Flight Software Development Office and later served as Chief Engineer. In 2005, he spent several months at NASA Headquarters working in the Robotics Lunar Exploration Program. In 2006, he joined the Constellation Program as Chief of Avionics and Software Test and Verification and became Chief of the Software and Avionics Integration Office in 2007. In this role, he was responsible for leading a large nationwide Systems Engineering & Integration (SE&I) organization which provided program-level coordination, oversight, integration, and management of the system-of-systems avionics and software, including the coordination of integrated modeling and simulation and test activities across the Constellation program and the technical integration of Constellation’s Command, Control, Communications, and Information (C3I) architecture.
In 2011, he joined the Avionic Systems Division to support their Strategic Planning and Partnership efforts. In 2015, he moved on to Engineering Directorate Staff to support Strategic Pursuits and Partnerships. In this role, he put together a framework to focus better Engineering’s efforts toward Human Spaceflight technology and systems development consistent with JSC and Agency goals for exploration. This framework guides Engineering’s internal investments and external partnerships supporting Lunar and Mars Exploration.

Mr. Goforth was born in East Texas, raised in Southern California and Arizona, and graduated from Rice University (BSME 1982, MSME 1987). Before coming to Johnson Space Center, he was employed by a small defense contractor specializing in anti-submarine warfare.

Blackstreet x Ecosystem Leaders Panel
2024-02-21 16:30 - 19:00 | Ion – Forum Stairs, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
The Ion Blackstreet x Ecosystem Leaders Panel is your gateway to the best-in-class resources to help you supercharge your startup journey or technology career in Houston. The panel members are committed to sharing opportunities and creating access to networks and events for founders and individuals seeking to advance their entrepreneurial endeavors or careers. During this panel, you’ll learn from discussions on Houston’s ecosystem, the wealth of support networks and development organizations, and insights on how to get and stay involved. After the panel, there will be opportunities for networking and community building.
Moderator: Sherhara Downing, Co-Founder of SpeakHaus
Panelists:

Ashley DeWalt, Managing Director, DivInc
Lenny Saizan, Co-Founder, Urban Capital Network
Jada Harris, Houston Chapter Chair, SCORE
Tondalayo Hall, Managing Director, Per Scholas
Derrell Noris, Owner & CEO, Fresh Tech Solutionz

The Future of Hydrogen
2024-02-21 13:00 - 17:00 | Ion – Forum Stairs, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Attendees will have the unique opportunity to learn from distinguished panelists who bring a wealth of knowledge and firsthand experiences in hydrogen technology and its applications.
This event will provide insights into the latest advancements, market trends, and applications of hydrogen energy. It’s an ideal platform for networking, sharing ideas, and exploring the future potentials of hydrogen.

Fostering Sustainability Initiatives Using Data Storytelling
2024-02-20 10:00 - 11:30 | Ion – Forum Stairs, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Join MezzoConnect and Bjss as they assemble a diverse group of senior executives from different industries to learn how they promote their organization’s renewable and sustainability goals in what are still the early days of the energy transition.
Key topics:

Architecting the Narrative: Highlighting the value of Renewable and Sustainability initiatives with internal and external stakeholders.
Storytelling With Data: Selecting the metrics that matter to your audience, systems for data collection/storage, and stakeholder engagement and access.
Walking the Tightrope: Achieving organizational goals while navigating complex national guidelines and international regulations.

Panelists:

David Reid (Chief Technology Officer and Chief Marketing Officer, NOV)
Faisal Masud, MD (Medical Director, Center for Critical Care, Houston Methodist Hospital)
David Robbins (Director, Infrastructure Resiliency, Houston Airport Systems)

For questions regarding this event, please email Bryce Cramer at Bryce@MezzoConnect.com.

Monday Mingle, Houston Web3, NFT and AI featuring Cartesi
2024-02-19 17:00 - 19:00 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Zach Prater is a key member of an Ecosystem Growth Team at Cartesi, specializing in organizing hackathons, overseeing grants, and linking startups with venture capitalists. Zach’s engagement in the Web3 sector began in 2015, marking an exhilarating journey. With experience at several blockchain companies, Zach harbors ambitions to establish their own venture in the future.

Mentor and Mingle: What is a patent, anyway?
2024-02-19 17:00 - 18:00 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Come learn about what a patent is, the basics of patents in the US, and whether or not you might really need one.

Health & MedTech Mingle
2024-02-19 17:00 - 18:00 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Join us to connect with other like-minded innovators, learn more about the Houston Methodist Tech Hub @ Ion, and engage in unique cross-industry collaboration.
This month’s featured speakers are:
Ginny Torno, Executive Director, Innovation & IT Clinical, Ancillary, and Research Systems at Houston Methodist
Lindsay Randle, Director of Practice Operations, Virtual Administration at Houston Methodist
Meagan Howard, Manager, Virtual Inpatient Medicine at Houston Methodist

Houston VR Meetup at Ion Prototyping Lab
2024-02-15 19:30 - 21:00 | Ion Prototyping Lab, 4201 Main St., Suite 170, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Are you captivated by the endless possibilities of Virtual Reality?
Join us at the Ion Prototyping Lab for a monthly Houston VR meetup. Join a diverse community for an engaging session of hardware trials, captivating demos, and engaging discussions, all revolving around the latest trends and advancements in Virtual and Augmented Reality.
All are welcome to attend, regardless of whether you’re a seasoned VR enthusiast, a budding developer, or simply curious about the realm of Virtual Reality.
This month’s meeting includes informative presentations that will delve into the realm of both current and forthcoming VR and AR hardware and software, providing attendees with valuable insights into the evolving landscape of these technologies.
Mark your calendars and become part of the virtual revolution. We look forward to seeing you at the next Houston VR meetup!
