Ion District

Ion Prototyping Lab Office Hours
2023-06-13 13:00 - 17:00, 2023-06-16 10:00 - 14:00, 2023-06-20 13:00 - 17:00, 2023-06-23 10:00 - 14:00, 2023-06-27 13:00 - 17:00, 2023-06-30 10:00 - 14:00, 2023-07-07 10:00 - 14:00, 2023-07-11 13:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Join us at the Ion Prototyping Lab Office Hours to discuss how to build your ideas!

Investor Studio Series: VC Due Diligence Best Practices
2023-06-13 16:00 - 18:00
Join us to learn about how VCs approach investing and conduct due diligence and why this matters for you as a founder.

During this event, Golden Section, a venture capital fund and founders studio obsessed with B2B SaaS product development, will discuss how VCs approach investing and conduct due diligence, and why this matters for founders. The presentation will cover:

Market changes that effect how VCs approach investing
What founders need to prepare for this new environment
How Golden Section approaches due diligence

If you are a VC fund, investor, or founder, this event is for you!
About the host: Golden Section is a Houston-based VC that invests in early-stage B2B SaaS companies. We invest in founders who have domain expertise in the industry they are looking to build a solution for.

Poptarts & Pitches
2023-06-14 10:00 - 12:00, 2023-06-21 10:00 - 12:00, 2023-06-28 10:00 - 12:00
Join us on Wednesdays at 10 AM on the Lower Level to learn about the art of pitching and get valuable feedback on your deck!

Cup of Joey
2023-06-16 08:30 - 10:30, 2023-06-23 08:30 - 10:30, 2023-06-30 08:30 - 10:30, 2023-07-07 08:30 - 10:30
Cup of Joey is a coffee Happy Hour for Innovative Ideas.

Ion Office Hours
2023-06-16 10:00 - 11:30, 2023-06-23 10:00 - 11:30, 2023-06-30 10:00 - 11:30, 2023-07-07 10:00 - 11:30
Join us for our Office Hours at the Ion, where we will talk to you about how the Ion is here to help you as an entrepreneur.

Aramco Ventures Office Hours at the Ion
2023-06-16 10:30 - 12:00, 2023-06-30 10:30 - 12:00
Aramco Energy Ventures Office Hours are available every other Friday at the Ion!

Co-Creating the Future: An African Startup Symposium on Collaboration
2023-06-20 18:00 - 20:30
Join The Beta Collective and Ion for an in-person symposium exploring opportunities for cross-border entrepreneurial collaboration between the US/Houston and Africa. From Idea to Impact, we’ll delve into the African startup ecosystem, highlighting growth and potential for cross-border collaboration, key sectors driving innovation and growth, and legal, regulatory, and cultural considerations and challenges for cross-border collaborations.
In addition, we’ll showcase startups and investment opportunities and discuss the current landscape of black investors and founders in the US and their potential impact on the African startup ecosystem.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or interested in the African startup ecosystem, this symposium is for you. You’ll gain insights on building successful partnerships, investment opportunities and challenges, and resources available to maximize success in cross-border collaborations.
Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to connect, collaborate and co-create the future with a diverse group of like-minded individuals from across the globe. Register today!
This event is being held in partnership with the Beta Collective and sponsored by TipHub Venture Capital

Host
Ukeme Daniel E. MD., MPH
Ukeme Essien is the founder of The Beta Collective, a community that incubates ideas for solving grand challenges in African communities globally and enabling collaboration. She is a medical doctor with a passion for solving grand challenges in African communities through population research and innovation design. She has worked with organizations such as the Clinton Global Initiative and the World Health Organization and founded The Beta Collective, a community incubating innovative ideas for social entrepreneurship.
Ukeme is also an advocate for the African entrepreneurial ecosystem, having hosted several panels and roundtables in different cities. She also consults for early-stage start-ups in emerging markets over the past 5+ years. Her dedication to empowering emerging entrepreneurs and making a positive impact in African communities is unwavering.
Panelists
Wale Salami – Moderator
Wale Salami is an American angel investor, venture capitalist, U.S. Army veteran, and tech professional with over 10 years of experience working in the military, nonprofit and private-sector roles in world-class organizations. He served with the Air Defense Artillery Brigade of the United States Army, was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, and was on a tour of duty to the Middle East as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. He is currently with one of the top 4 tech companies in America (one of Fortune 10), leading cloud adoption strategies in the SouthEast AMER region.
Wale holds a certificate in Private Equity & Venture Capital from Universitä Bocconi, a BSc. in Mechanical Engineering from Lagos State University, and an Executive MBA from the University of Texas, Arlington. He is a member of the HBS Alumni Angels Association (HBSAAA), The Stanford Angels Club, and also a chartered member of the Angel Capital Association (ACA), a network of over 14,000+ active, professional angels.
Prof. Robert M. Franklin III
Robert M. Franklin III is a Venture Partner at Sybilla Mastersfund, a Lecturer at Rice University Jones School of Business, and a Managing Director at the Vessel Group, a management consulting firm in Houston. He has expertise in providing regulatory and risk management advice to global investment banks and energy/commodities firms. Robert is a former member of Houston Angel Network (HAN) and focuses on fintech startups. He holds an MBA from Tulane University and a BS in Finance and Banking from Hampton University, where he was named to the 40 Under Forty Society in 2021. He is also a graduate of the VC University: Venture Finance certificate program by the National Venture Capital Association and UC Berkeley Law. In his free time, he enjoys reading, working out, and cycling.
Mr. Ayo Sopitan
Meet Ayo Sopitan, the founder and CEO of Metalex Commodities, a company that builds supply chains for critical metals produced in Africa and delivers them to the global metals market. Metalex operates in Nigeria, Mauritania, and Zambia, providing essential metals like copper, manganese, lithium, and cobalt that are crucial to the energy transition. Before founding Metalex, Ayo spent ten years in the commodity trading industry, holding various senior roles at OpenLink Financial and IHS Market. He also worked as an independent commodity trading consultant.
Ayo is also an avid startup investor, having invested in nearly 25 startups in both North America and Africa. Ayo holds business degrees from Bryant University in Rhode Island and New York University. With his extensive industry experience and passion for investing in the future of Africa, Ayo is leading Metalex Commodities toward a more sustainable and innovative future.
Mrs. Angelique Bartholomew JD
Angelique Bartholomew is a highly accomplished executive with over 25 years of experience in the public, private, and international sectors. She is the Principal at Intuitive Global Consulting (IGC), a certified women-owned consulting firm based in Houston, Texas. At IGC, Angelique leads the development of policies, programs, and projects related to communities, infrastructure, and trade.
Angelique is also an expert in economic development and public-private partnerships and has been responsible for landing over 30 million dollars in small business growth and revenue. She serves on several boards and committees at the local, state, and federal levels and has been appointed to the U.S. Department of Commerce Trade and Finance Advisory Council for a two-year term. Her core competencies include program development, project implementation, strategic planning, negotiations, contracting, project management, policy, stakeholder engagement, procedure implementation, and international developments.
Michelle Mbeo
Michelle Mbeo is a global leader with over 15 years of experience in successfully transforming organizations and driving innovation. However, her unique ability to navigate complex challenges and drive meaningful change in highly competitive environments like her native region of East Africa stands out.
Michelle has launched and grown multiple businesses in various sectors, including technology, finance, and healthcare, and is particularly focused on creating value for clients, governments, and stakeholders in Africa. Her work includes establishing Lakeview Fisheries in Nairobi, Kenya, as well as leading projects such as ‘Africa is Open,’ which bridges businesses and resources to create opportunities in the region. Through her leadership, she has expanded global small business leadership and patented developments and established a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability. Michelle’s extensive experience, coupled with her deep understanding of diverse markets and cultures, positions her well to continue driving success and delivering value to clients, employees, and stakeholders in Africa and beyond.

Startup Presenters
Company: SunFi
Presenter: Tomiwa Igun, Co-founder & COO
Tomiwa is an entrepreneur and advocates for electrifying Africa. He is the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of SunFi Corporation, a Clean Energy FinTech company that provides financing and digital tools to enable distributed clean energy providers in Nigeria to scale clean, affordable, and reliable electricity. Prior to this, he worked at The Boston Consulting Group and Africa Finance Corporation on energy projects and infrastructure development in Africa. He also co-founded Young African MBAs, a non-profit that helps bridge the gap in Africa’s management talent. Tomiwa holds an MBA with Honors from Harvard Business School, an M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan, and a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from Howard University. During his time at HBS, he co-chaired the Africa Business Conference and co-authored a published Harvard Business School case study on the Privatization of Nigeria’s Power Sector.

Perfecting Your Pitch
2023-06-21 17:30 - 18:30
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 that 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 currently 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 the industries of Construction, Technology, and Business Enterprise. He also serves as Director of Project Management for Fresh Tech Solutionz and as 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.

Special Edition - NASA Tech Talks & Pumps & Pipes: Ultrasound. Integrated. Everywhere.
2023-06-22 18:00 - 19:30
Buckle up for the beginning of another Pump & Pipes journey as we launch thin-film ultrasound technologies from energy applications into aerospace, health & Medtech sectors.
In collaboration with NASA Tech Talks, and the Mingle Monday Health & MedTech series at Ion, join Pumps & Pipes as we venture into a discussion on the use of ultrasound technologies from both terrestrial and space medicine perspectives.

How is ultrasound technology deployed in space?
What applications can you envision for ultrasound?

Let our special guest, Dr. Josef Schmid guide you. As a NASA flight surgeon and major general (ret), mobilization assistant to the surgeon general of the Air Force, he has a vast array of experience and insight into those issues.
How can convergence innovation solve current problems?
How can we repurpose Oil & Gas technology for new medical applications?
Our second special guest, Dr. Dave Hughes, CEO and Founder of Novosound, can give us insight and examples. Their thin-film ultrasound technology, originally created to measure corrosion and erosion on pipes in the oil & gas industry, is currently being developed for a variety of new medical-based solutions.
What problems do you have that could potentially be solved by ultrasound technologies?
Come along and find out more!

Ion Bike Club
2023-06-28 18:30 - 19:30
Join us for a 45-minute guided cruise led by Bike Houston around the expanding Ion District and Midtown neighborhoods. We’ll meet up on the Ion Plaza just outside of Second Draught. The ride is suitable for all ages; Limited BCycle bikes are available onsite for rental.
Following the ride, participants are eligible for a 10% discount on beverages at Second Draught!

Innovation on Tap: Marcia O'Malley, Rice University
2023-06-29 16:00 - 17:00
Featured Speaker: Marcia O’Malley, Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, George R. Brown School of Engineering
Thomas Michael Panos Family Professor in Mechanical Engineering, Rice University.
Conveying touch feedback via wearables
Vibrotactile haptic feedback is ubiquitous for notifications and alerts in portable devices such as phones, smart watches, and fitness trackers, but the set of possible notifications is limited by the nature of the small vibration motors so often used to deliver such cues. Wearable haptics refers to systems worn on the body or integrated into clothing that can provide haptic feedback to the wearer in a wide range of forms, such as vibrotactile, skin stretch, pressure, and kinesthetic feedback. The potential for wearable haptics is supported by technological advancements in sensing and actuation that allow for the design and deployment of flexible materials, fabrics, and small-footprint actuators that can augment and enhance human performance. While rigid and grounded haptic feedback devices have been explored as a means to train new motor skills, rehabilitate movement coordination after neurological injury, and even augment human force output capabilities in tasks such as lifting or running, the application space is limited due to the weight and scale of such devices. Wearable haptic devices seek to overcome the limitations of rigid and grounded haptic devices. In recent years, my group has been designing novel wearable haptic systems that provide multiple haptic modalities of feedback to the user, including vibration, skin stretch, pressure, and kinesthetic feedback, all packaged in bands that can be worn on the arm. We have developed these systems to enhance communication, provide haptic feedback to amputees using prosthetics, to train surgeons using virtual reality simulators, and to enhance user experiences in VR. In this talk, I will present some of our wearable haptic systems, describe our target applications, and highlight the distinguishing features our hardware and haptic rendering paradigms.
We invite attendees to join the featured speaker and event attendees for networking at Second Draught after the talk.
Marcia O’Malley is the Thomas Michael Panos Family Professor in Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, and Electrical and Computer Engineering, and the Associate Dean for Research and Innovation in the George R. Brown School of Engineering at Rice University. In July of 2023, she will transition from Associate Dean to Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Rice. She is also an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at both Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. She received her BS in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University, and her MS and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Vanderbilt University. Her research is in the areas of haptics and robotic rehabilitation, with a focus on the design and control of wearable robotic devices for training and rehabilitation. She has twice received the George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching at Rice University. O’Malley was a recipient of both the ONR Young Investigator award and the NSF CAREER Award. She is a Fellow of the ASME, the IEEE, and the AIMBE.
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 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.

Sewn Goods Office Hours at Ion Prototyping Lab
2023-06-30 11:00 - 13:00
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 Block Party
2023-07-06 16:00 - 19:00
This event is happening rain or shine inside the Ion! Our band will not be present, but the tunes will be flowing. See you there!
Join us every first Thursday of the month from 4 – 7 PM on the plaza for live music and local brews provided by Second Draught. This month, enjoy live music by Gary Kyle, and make sure to register and check in at the event for a complimentary beer or cider on us from Second Draught!

Ion Open Accelerator: Monopolizing Your Industry Channel
2023-07-10 10:00 - 12:00
Join us for a workshop on how small startups have grown to become global monopolies in very short periods of time.

Having participated in several startups that have grown to dominate their industry, Jared Nielsen provides insight into how small startups have grown to become global monopolies in a very short period of time. In an era where certain industries have allowed a small company with a core focus on the data ecosystem within an industry can become a billion-dollar enterprise, we can interactively evaluate several legacy industries that haven’t been “Uber-ed” yet to assist startups on their plan to maximize their data reach within their own target industries. A key topic will be the rise of Fanatics.com from two t-shirt shops at a mall in Jacksonville to becoming the dominant global player in sports merchandise, having conquered the NFL, the NBA, the NHL, and world sports in a matter of years.
In this workshop, Jared shares the core strategies that enabled this failed remnant of a defunct Pic-n-Save retail chain to latch on to the data within the sports merchandise supply chain that began by outranking the NFL for its own merchandise on Google. Its undetected market leverage grew so swiftly that they were able to roll up retail fulfillment for Yahoo! Sports, CBS Television, and the NCAA through capitalizing on alumni associations. We will then discuss how they took advantage of strategic private equity to slingshot their position into a globally dominant monopoly.
Seeing a global domination market strategy executed from the inside may give your own startup insights and techniques that you can use within your own supply chain for a truly dominant market position.
About the Speaker – Jared Nielsen
