DivInc 2024 Sports Tech Cohort Expo
2024-07-24 13:30 - 14:30 (America/Chicago) | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
The Founder Expo, scheduled for July 24, will showcase ten sports tech companies, featuring their products and progress in an exhibit-style event.
Register Here: https://lu.ma/1384gwqg

​​​​📣 Meet DivInc’s Spring 2024 Sports Tech Accelerator Cohort​
​Athlytic | Detroit, MI
Ashton Keys, Founder
​Athlytic uses real-time data to develop a recommended minimum price per social platform for creator-athletes. Brands are get the content they want, and athletes are properly paid for their time, creativity, and reach.‍
​Ballin AI | Tulsa, OK
Nyla Pollard, Founder
​Ballin AI is the first scouting automation software, transforming the labor-intensive scouting process into a streamlined, data-driven operation that reduces manual efforts from over 30 hours/week to just 3 hours/week.
​Cache AI | New York, NY
Kobi Wu, Malur Narayan, & Jerry Sawyer, Co-Founders
​Cache AI is a platform that provides unbiased score of athlete profiles for valuations, risk assessments, SWOT analysis, and team optimization.
​DRAFTED | Prosper, TX
Jennifer Blundell & Karina Martinez, Co-Founders
​DRAFTED is the first company to celebrate and elevate the power of Latina Sports Culture. Through digital storytelling, weekly newsletters, in-person and virtual programming and collaborative brand partnerships we ignite a community and generate insights that have never been touched before.
​Drip Tech Co. | Chicago, IL
Karishma Bali & Eneko Gonzalez, Co- Founders
​Drip Tech Co. is the first ai concierge software that offers real time hydration monitoring, digestible data, and actionable insights to both athletes and coaches through our hydration concierge.
​Drive Hockey | Coquitlam, BC
Adam Nathwani & Mike Dahlstedt, Co-Founders
​Drive Hockey Analytics developed hockey’s most advanced skill-tracking system for aspiring young athletes. We use sensors & AI technology to make NHL-level analytics simple & affordable for 120,000 amateur hockey teams.
​LunchTable | Cincinnati, OH
Joshua Reid, Founder
​LunchTable is the first fan activation and engagement platform designed to mobilize your fans into digital brand ambassadors that boost your brand, marketing, and sales efforts.
​Parscape | Chicago, IL & Los Angeles, CA
Michael Webb & Andrew Wenum, Founder
​Parscape is a rewards and cash-back powered marketplace designed for the golf industry. The online store features curated Direct-to-Consumer brands, unique deals, and reward challenges.
​TRAINR | Houston, TX
Abdul Foster, Founder
​Trainr is the go-to platform for sports and performance coaches, offering booking, payments, taxes, CRM, content creation, financial services, nationwide access to training locations, and more all in one place.
​WEVOLV | Rochester, NY
Jori Davis & Julie Wojta, Co-Founders
​WEVOLV combines human and artificial intelligence to Revolutionize how athletes utilize data; democratizing access, that enables better career decision making and a more equitable industry for athletes.

DivInc Demo Day | Panel Discussions
2024-07-24 15:30 - 18:00 | Ion – Forum Stairs, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
DivInc invites you to a comprehensive panel discussion on current trends, challenges, and opportunities in sports technology. Leaders from professional sports teams, venture capital, startups, universities, and more will share insights.
Register here: https://lu.ma/1384gwqg
Fireside Chat 1: Transforming Houston’s Sports Tech Ecosystem: Innovation, Investment and Growth
This panel brings together leaders from academia, professional sports, and venture capital as they discuss the growth, challenges, and impact of sports tech in Houston.
​Fireside Chat 2: How Houston’s Sportstech Landscape is Driving Economic Impact
Join us as we explore the dynamic intersection of sports, technology, and economic development in Houston, bringing together experts from venture capital, academia, and economic development corporations.
​Fireside Chat 3: Investing in Sports: Women Driving Change
This panel brings together leaders from teams, leagues, and investment firms to explore the changing landscape. Hear how women are driving growth, innovation, and shattering stereotypes in the business of sports.

Houston Methodist Clinician Speaker Series - Dr. Nicholas Desai
2024-07-24 16:30 - 18:00 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Join us at the Houston Methodist Tech Hub at Ion for another clinician speaker series presentation by Dr. Nicholas Desai.
S. Nicholas Desai, MD, is Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Medical Officer & Chief Quality Officer at Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital.
This hospital will be Houston Methodist’s ninth hospital and is scheduled to open in early 2025. As Houston Methodist continues to lead in healthcare innovation and works towards creating the hospital system of the future, Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital will incorporate the most advanced technology from its inception, all tools which have been rigorously tested and piloted across the Houston Methodist hospital campuses. Dr. Desai will discuss the plans for this hospital and what it takes to build the hospital of the future.’
Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/houston-methodist-clinician-speaker-series-dr-nicholas-desai-tickets-914903851047

DivInc Demo Day | Sports Tech Spring 2024
2024-07-25 18:00 - 20:00 | Ion – Forum Stairs, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
​👀 Want a peek into the brilliant minds shaping the future of technology?
​DivInc invites YOU to the Spring 2024 Sports Tech Demo Day, a celebration and showcase of the brilliance, tenacity, and growth of founders using technology to enhance human performance, fan experience, fantasy sports & betting, future of media, NIL innovation (i.e. Name, Image, Likeness), and stadium & venue innovation.
​​​In Houston? Register here to join DivInc in person.​​​​
Outside of Houston? Register to join our live stream!
​Special thanks to DivInc Premier Partners, Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase & Co., Ion, Brown Advisory, Mercury, Gunderson Dettmer.

​​​​📣 Meet DivInc’s Spring 2024 Sports Tech Accelerator Cohort​
​Athlytic | Detroit, MI
Ashton Keys, Founder
​Athlytic uses real-time data to develop a recommended minimum price per social platform for creator-athletes. Brands are get the content they want, and athletes are properly paid for their time, creativity, and reach.‍
​Ballin AI | Tulsa, OK
Nyla Pollard, Founder
​Ballin AI is the first scouting automation software, transforming the labor-intensive scouting process into a streamlined, data-driven operation that reduces manual efforts from over 30 hours/week to just 3 hours/week.
​Cache AI | New York, NY
Kobi Wu, Malur Narayan, & Jerry Sawyer, Co-Founders
​Cache AI is a platform that provides unbiased score of athlete profiles for valuations, risk assessments, SWOT analysis, and team optimization.
​DRAFTED | Prosper, TX
Jennifer Blundell & Karina Martinez, Co-Founders
​DRAFTED is the first company to celebrate and elevate the power of Latina Sports Culture. Through digital storytelling, weekly newsletters, in-person and virtual programming and collaborative brand partnerships we ignite a community and generate insights that have never been touched before.
​Drip Tech Co. | Chicago, IL
Karishma Bali & Eneko Gonzalez, Co- Founders
​Drip Tech Co. is the first ai concierge software that offers real time hydration monitoring, digestible data, and actionable insights to both athletes and coaches through our hydration concierge.
​Drive Hockey | Coquitlam, BC
Adam Nathwani & Mike Dahlstedt, Co-Founders
​Drive Hockey Analytics developed hockey’s most advanced skill-tracking system for aspiring young athletes. We use sensors & AI technology to make NHL-level analytics simple & affordable for 120,000 amateur hockey teams.
​LunchTable | Cincinnati, OH
Joshua Reid, Founder
​LunchTable is the first fan activation and engagement platform designed to mobilize your fans into digital brand ambassadors that boost your brand, marketing, and sales efforts.
​Parscape | Chicago, IL & Los Angeles, CA
Michael Webb & Andrew Wenum, Founder
​Parscape is a rewards and cash-back powered marketplace designed for the golf industry. The online store features curated Direct-to-Consumer brands, unique deals, and reward challenges.
​TRAINR | Houston, TX
Abdul Foster, Founder
​Trainr is the go-to platform for sports and performance coaches, offering booking, payments, taxes, CRM, content creation, financial services, nationwide access to training locations, and more all in one place.
​WEVOLV | Rochester, NY
Jori Davis & Julie Wojta, Co-Founders
​WEVOLV combines human and artificial intelligence to Revolutionize how athletes utilize data; democratizing access, that enables better career decision making and a more equitable industry for athletes.

Ion Networking: Coffee and Tacos with Cup of Joey
2024-07-26 08:30 - 10:30 | Ion – Forum Stairs, 4201 Main St., 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.

SCORE Office Hours
2024-07-26 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-08-02 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-08-16 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. Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 11 million entrepreneurs start, grow, or successfully exit a business. SCORE’s 10,000 volunteers provide free, expert mentoring, resources, and education in all 50 U.S. states and territories.
Office Hours with SCORE take place each Friday morning. Additional partners will be on-site the second Friday of each month (excluding holidays)

Houston Methodist Office Hours
2024-07-26 10:00 - 12:00 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Join us at the Houston Methodist Tech Hub at Ion on select Friday mornings for Office Hours to meet with the Center for Innovation team.
Do you have an idea for an innovative healthcare solution? Do you work on technology in another industry that could be applicable to healthcare? Do you want to learn more about how hospital systems work with innovators? Come meet with us!
NOTE: Due to limited availability, please only sign-up for one session. Each time slot is assigned so please respect your specific timed session. If you are on the waitlist, we will inform you prior to the session if a spot is available. Thank you for your understanding.
Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/houston-methodist-office-hours-at-ion-tickets-962133345737?aff=oddtdtcreator

Ion Prototyping Lab Office Hours
2024-07-26 10:00 - 14:00, 2024-08-02 10:00 - 14:00, 2024-08-09 10:00 - 14:00, 2024-08-16 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

Houston Robotics Group at Ion Prototyping Lab
2024-07-27 14:00 - 17:00, 2024-08-03 14:00 - 17:00, 2024-08-10 14:00 - 17:00 | 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
2024-07-30 13:00 - 17:00, 2024-08-06 13:00 - 17:00, 2024-08-13 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

Growth-Stage VC: Behind the Dealmaking Curtain (Ion District Investor Activation Program)
2024-07-30 17:00 - 18:30 | Ion – Forum Stairs, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Are you curious about the behind-the-scenes of growth-stage venture capital deals? Join Greentown Labs at the Ion for the next workshop in the Houston Ion District Investor Activation Program! In this session, we’ll be learning from our friends at Vinson & Elkins about growth-stage venture capital deals and the key terms investors, startups and their lawyers negotiate over the course of a VC transaction.
Together we will learn directly from Trevor Best, CEO of Syzygy Plasmonics, Ellen Wilkirson, a Houston-based growth-stage investor, and Michael Gibson, an Austin-based growth-stage and M&A attorney.
The Houston Ion District Investor Activation Program is helping to build an equitable startup ecosystem capable of rapid deployment by addressing a fundamental challenge: the region’s lack of funding for early-stage climatetech startups, especially for those led by underrepresented founders.
This program from Greentown Labs and The Ion brings early-stage investors from Greater Houston—a region playing a pivotal role in the energy transition—into the fold, offering education on climatetech investing, channeling a pool of capital to young startups, and catalyzing a thriving startup investment ecosystem that prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion. Join the program here!
About the Speakers:
Michael P. Gibson | People | Vinson & Elkins LLP
Michael advises clients on strategic and capital-raising transactions across a broad range of industries, including technology, renewable and sustainable energy, transportation and manufacturing. Michael has extensive experience with minority and growth equity investments (including preferred equity and convertible debt financings), as well as acquisitions, dispositions and sale-of-the-company transactions, and corporate reorganizations. He also regularly advises on corporate governance, securities law and other general corporate matters.
Michael represents a wide variety of enterprises, from public and private companies and their boards of directors, to private equity investors and their portfolio companies, and venture capital investors and emerging growth companies.
Michael was selected to be included in the BTI Client Service All-Stars list in 2022, where a client interviewee praised Michael in saying that he “is always on top of things for us.”
Trevor Best:
Trevor Best is the CEO and Co-Founder of Syzygy Plasmonics. Syzygy is pioneering a new type of chemical reactor designed to produce industrial chemicals at lower cost and with fewer carbon emissions. Their novel technology is driven by light rather than heat, enabling a substantially more efficient process. Critically, Syzygy’s technology supports energy security and expansion through resource efficiency. Recent publications show Syzygy’s core components can be made without using rare earth materials, adding to the company’s value as a sustainable technology provider.
Before starting Syzygy, Trevor worked for the oilfield services company Baker Hughes. There he held a variety of management positions and gained expertise in technology development, project and personnel management, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance. He is originally from Midland Texas and is a graduate of Texas Tech University.
Ellen Wilkirson:
Ellen is a Managing Director at Freestone, a partnership with Tailwater Capital, where she is responsible for sourcing, evaluating, and executing investments in the energy transition and circular economy spaces. Prior to Freestone, Ellen served as a Vice President at Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P, focusing on public and private investments in midstream and renewables. Prior to Kayne Anderson, she served as an investment banker in the Global Energy Group at Credit Suisse. Ellen began her career in the assurance practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers, and she is a CPA in the state of Texas.

Questions? Please reach out to Greentown Labs’ Director, Investor Program, Jackie Firsty (investorprogram@greentownlabs.com).

Ion Bike Club
2024-07-31 18:00 - 19:00 | Ion Plaza, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Join us for a 45-minute guided cruise led by BikeHouston around the expanding Ion District and Midtown neighborhoods.
The ride is suitable for all ages, and limited BCycle bikes are available onsite for rental.
We’ll meet up on the Ion Plaza just outside of Second Draught. Following the ride, participants are eligible for a 15% discount on beverages at Second Draught!

Eleventh Annual Bayou Startup Showcase
2024-08-01 16:00 - 20:00 | Ion – Forum Stairs, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Join us for the Eleventh Annual Bayou Startup Showcase at the Ion.
The Bayou Startup Showcase is a dynamic celebration of entrepreneurship, spotlighting the newest startups and small businesses from Rice University’s OwlSpark and the University of Houston’s RED Labs accelerators.
Attendees can listen to pitches, discover ways to support and grow these businesses, and engage with founders during the showcase. Celebrate the spirit of Houston by supporting our hometown universities, innovative founders, and the vibrant entrepreneurial community that makes the Bayou City so special.
Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eleventh-annual-bayou-startup-showcase-registration-929207192727

Ion Networking with Cup of Joey
2024-08-02 08:30 - 10:30, 2024-08-09 08:30 - 10:30, 2024-08-16 08:30 - 10:30 | Ion – Forum Stairs, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States

SCORE, SBA, and SBDC Office Hours
2024-08-09 10:00 - 11:30 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
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

SCORE, SBA, and SBDC Office Hours
2024-08-09 10:00 - 11:30 | Ion – Academic Flex Space, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States

Software Day at the Ion: An Intro to Central Texas Seed Stage VCs
2024-08-13 15:30 - 19:00 | TX
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.
Join us on August 13th for “An Intro to Central Texas Seed Stage VCs” Panel. Speakers include:

Eric Engineer, S3 Ventures
Rajiv Bala, Clutch Ventures
Cat Dizon, Active Capital
Mike Marcantonio, LiveOak
Moderator: Aziz Gilani, Mercury

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.
Prior to the fireside chat, a select group of early-stage software startups will participate in office hours. Over the course of 2-hours, first-time entrepreneurs looking for guidance or seasoned founders needing help tackling tough challenges will have access to a group of curated mentors from the Mercury network and gain insights and guidance tailored to their needs.
In August, a select group of participating startups will also be invited to give a 60-second pitch to attendees! Check out the participating startups:

“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.
Join us as we bring together leading mentors, promising startups, and like-minded Houstonians focused on transformative software innovations.
Due to the impact of Hurricane Beryl, this Software Day at the Ion was originally scheduled for July 9th and was postponed to August 13th.

Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week Preview Happy Hour
2024-08-14 17:30 - 19:00 | Ion – Forum Stairs, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Join Halliburton Labs, Greentown Labs, the Houston Energy Transition Initiative, Ion, and the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship for an informational and networking happy hour. Meet other organizers, sponsors and participants that are participating in the inaugural week.
This event offers a chance to learn more about the events and opportunities available during the official Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week.

Houston VR Meetup at Ion Prototyping Lab
2024-08-15 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!
