Ion District

AI Circle Houston
2026-09-04 09:30 - 11:00, 2026-09-11 09:30 - 23:00, 2026-09-18 09:30 - 11:00, 2026-09-25 09:30 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/18970005/
AI Circle Houston is a weekly Friday morning gathering for people building, implementing, or exploring AI.
We bring together builders, engineers, product leaders, founders, operators, researchers, students, and anyone interested in putting AI into practice. Each week includes networking followed by a focused session on a practical AI topic, with discussions spanning AI agents, AI-native products, models, development tools, reliability, interfaces, computer vision, and emerging approaches to building with AI.
The format is community-driven, with an emphasis on learning from people actively working with AI and sharing what is working, what isn’t, and what we’re learning along the way.

Welcome to the Ion: An Introduction and Tour
2026-09-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Join the Ion’s Mentor in Residence, Wade Pinder, for an engaging tour and introduction to the Ion, Houston’s dynamic hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, powered by Rice University. This event is designed for entrepreneurs, students, professionals, investors, community leaders, and anyone curious about what the Ion has to offer. For those new to Houston and eager to connect with the local innovation ecosystem, this event provides the perfect opportunity to get started.

The tour will begin in the lobby at 10:00 AM and conclude at 11:00 AM. During this time, participants will learn about the Ion’s resources, events, and facilities. Highlights of the tour include the technology showcases, coworking spaces, public areas, and the on-site restaurants and bars.
About Wade Pinder
Wade Pinder is a dedicated advocate for Houston’s innovation community, serving as the Ion’s Mentor in Residence. With a wealth of experience in product management, community building, and fostering entrepreneurial growth, Wade offers invaluable insights into how the Ion serves as a launchpad for ideas and innovation.
The Vision of the Ion
Powered by Rice University, the Ion is the epicenter of the 16-acre innovation district in the heart of Houston’s midtown. Committed to being the home for Houston’s innovation community, the Ion District propels the transformative culture of people, places, ideas, and experiences that build a better quality of life for all of Houston.

The Ion is a beautifully restored building at 4201 Main Street. It connects Houston’s talent, academic, corporate, and entrepreneurial communities in a collaborative environment designed to inspire and grow ideas. The Ion serves as a space where serendipitous collisions lead to meaningful connections and opportunities.
What to Expect

Coworking Spaces: Explore flexible work areas tailored for collaboration and creativity.
Public Spaces: Discover spaces designed for networking, inspiration, and community events.
Restaurants and Bars: Experience the on-site dining options that make the Ion a lively hub.

Through its programs and partnerships, the Ion empowers individuals and organizations to build, solve, and innovate. From prototyping to pitching, accelerating to sustaining, the Ion is Houston’s headquarters for turning ideas into reality.

Whether you have a promising product, an intriguing technology, a budding business idea, or are simply curious about the Ion and its offerings, this tour will provide valuable insights into how the Ion can help connect your “What-ifs” with “What now.” Don’t miss this opportunity to explore and be inspired by Houston’s innovation ecosystem.

SCORE Office Hours
2026-09-04 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-09-11 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-09-18 10:00 - 11:30 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
About SCORE Office Hours
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)

Rice Tech Transfer Office Hours
2026-09-04 10:00 - 11:30 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Have an idea, startup, or company looking for innovative technology? Meet with the Rice University Office of Technology Transfer during office hours at The Ion to explore how university research can power your next breakthrough.
Our team works with startups, entrepreneurs, and established companies to help commercialize cutting-edge technologies developed at Rice. During these office hours, you can:
Discover Available Technologies – Learn about Rice innovations available for licensing across fields like health, energy, engineering, and computing.
Understand the Licensing Process – Get a clear walkthrough of how to license university technology and what is required to move forward.
Explore Collaboration Opportunities – Discuss potential partnerships with Rice researchers and ways to turn research into real-world products.
Whether you’re building a startup, scouting new technology, or exploring research partnerships, stop by and connect with our team.
Come with a question, leave with a path to commercialization.
Stay connected and hear about new technologies available for licensing: https://mailchi.mp/rice/new-email-signup-page

Startup Circle Houston 💫
2026-09-04 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-09-11 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-09-18 10:30 - 11:30 | Ion – Lobby, 4201 Main St., Houston, 77002, United States
Startup Circle Houston 💫 brings together founders, teammates, experts and newbies of startups in Greater Houston! Past topics include:
Traction + Funding Stage Identification – What stage are you really at?
ICP – Seeking your beachhead market
Problem Identification – Love the problem, not the solution
Bootstrapping – Knowing your runway and not putting money on fire. 🔥
Founder capacity, 10xing and recruiting for your weaknesses. 🚀

LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/16537030/

The Technology Leadership Advantage Series - For CEOs, VCs and PE Firms
2026-09-08 12:00 - 13:00 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-technology-leadership-advantage-series-tickets-1997195321971?aff=oddtdtcreator
AI success depends less on technology and more on leadership, strategy, accountability, and executive decision-making. AI isn’t your biggest challenge. Leadership Is. Why most AI strategies fail before the technology does.
AI has never been more accessible.
Powerful models, enterprise AI platforms, automation tools, and AI-enabled software are available to companies of almost every size. Yet access to AI and the ability to create business value from AI are two very different things.
The difference is increasingly leadership.
As AI moves from experimentation into the business, the questions become less about what the technology can do and more about what the organization should do with it.

Where should we invest?
Who should own AI?
Which opportunities actually matter?
How much risk should we accept?
How do we move successful pilots into production?
Who is accountable for the business outcome?

These are not simply technology decisions. They are executive decisions about strategy, capital, operations, customers, risk, governance, talent, and competitive position.
Join Ram Prasad, CEO of Delence, for an executive conversation about why AI readiness starts with leadership readiness and what separates organizations experimenting with AI from those positioned to turn it into measurable business value.
This isn’t a technical presentation about models, prompts, or the latest AI tools. It’s a conversation about leadership, accountability, AI, and the executive decisions required to move from experimentation to business impact.
What We’ll Discuss:

AI readiness versus simply having access to AI tools
Why AI pilots can succeed while the broader AI strategy fails
Who should own AI at the executive level
When an organization does and does not need a Chief AI Officer
How executive accountability changes as AI moves into the business
How to approach AI governance without stopping innovation
Why AI initiatives struggle to move from pilot to production and adoption
Common AI leadership mistakes that create fragmented investment and unclear ownership
How leaders connect AI investment to measurable business outcomes
What CEOs and boards should be asking about AI now

Who Should Attend:
This session is specifically designed for CEOs, seeded startup founders, presidents, investors, private equity leaders, operating partners, and board members of growth-stage B2B technology and technology-enabled companies.
It will be particularly relevant if your organization is evaluating AI investments, running multiple AI pilots, determining who should own AI, considering whether a CAIO is needed, developing AI governance, or struggling to translate AI experimentation into measurable business results.
If AI decisions are increasingly becoming CEO, board, investment, risk, or growth decisions, this conversation is for you.
One Question to Consider Before You Arrive – Does your company have an AI strategy, or a collection of AI projects?
About Ram Prasad:
Ram Prasad is CEO of Delence and an executive technology leader focused on the intersection of technology, product, AI, and business growth.
Throughout his corporate career, Ram has worked with executive teams navigating the decisions that emerge as organizations grow when technology becomes more complex, product priorities compete, AI creates new possibilities, and decisions that were once technical begin affecting growth, risk, and enterprise value.
His perspective is built around a simple idea:
Growth has a leadership problem.
Ram speaks and advises on executive technology leadership, AI strategy, product strategy, scaling, and the leadership decisions that turn technology into business advantage.
About Delence:
Delence provides executive technology leadership to growth-stage B2B technology and technology-enabled companies.
Through Fractional CAIO, CTO and CPO leadership, Delence works alongside CEOs and executive teams when the business needs senior technology, product, or AI leadership, but a permanent executive hire may not yet be the right answer.
Delence connects business strategy, technology, product, AI, and execution, bringing executive ownership to the decisions that become more consequential as companies grow.
This isn’t staffing or recruiting.
It is executive leadership for the stage the business is entering.

Upstream: Digital Tech Meetup at Second Draught
2026-09-10 17:30 - 20:00 | Second Draught, 4201 Main St. Suite 130, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Register here: https://luma.com/timbergrove
Upstream: Digital Tech Meetup – Monthly Social 🍻
No stage. No slides. No panels.
Just upstream operators, engineers, founders, and digital leaders getting together over beer and pizza.
This is the informal side of the Upstream Digital Tech community. A casual, vendor-light happy hour for people navigating digital change in oil and gas and wanting real conversations.
It’s not a presentation. It’s not a pitch night.
It’s a room full of people who are actually doing the work.
A place to:
• Meet others working at the intersection of upstream and technology
• Trade field stories, lessons learned, and hard truths
• Talk AI, IoT, data, automation, and deployment realities
• Build real relationships without a formal agenda
Whether you’re deploying technology, evaluating it, building it, or leading teams through it, you’ll fit right in.
Come as you are.
Bring a friend.
Stay as long as you like.
📍 Second Draught @ The Ion District, Midtown Houston
🗓️ Second Thursday of every month | ⏰ 5:30 PM
👉 Reserve your spot. Space is limited.

Out in Tech Houston Monthly Mixer
2026-09-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Second Draught, 4201 Main St. Suite 130, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/out-in-tech-houston-monthly-mixer-tickets-1979625431957?aff=odcleoeventsincollection
Out in Tech Houston is the local chapter for Out in Tech, the world’s largest non-profit community of LGBTQ+ tech leaders. Out in Tech creates opportunities for our 50,000 members to advance their careers, grow their networks, and leverage tech for social change.
As with the other 30+ chapters around the world, Out in Tech Houston provides an inclusive space for LGBTQ+ people and allies working in the technology industry to engage, network, and learn.
About this Event
Join our relaxed, social-mixer event, hosted on the second Thursday of every month. We’re looking forward to meeting you!
This is the first time we are hosting our monthly mixer at The Ion, and we hope to have many more. RSVP and save the date in your calendars for an evening you cannot miss!
For more information, contact houston@outintech.com.

Ion Networking with Cup of Joey
2026-09-11 08:30 - 10:30, 2026-09-25 08:30 - 10:30 | Ion – Lobby, 4201 Main St., Houston, 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.
Register Here: https://www.cupofjoey.org/

NASA Office Hours
2026-09-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
NASA is bringing its expertise to Houston’s innovation hub! Every other Friday, join us for NASA’s office hours, designed to bridge the gap between Houston’s innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups with NASA’s elite experts, capabilities, and technology.

License the Future: Discover how to utilize NASA-developed technologies and intellectual property for your own projects.
Partner for Growth: Explore how to grow your own goals and NASA’s mission together by leveraging unique human spaceflight capabilities and expertise from NASA Johnson Space Center.
Build the Sector: Help us grow Houston’s commercial space ecosystem.

Come with a vision, leave with a partnership.
Just come walk up and say hello, or sign up in advance here.

2026 Houston Energy & Climate Startup Week Kickoff
2026-09-14 16:30 - 20:00 | Ion – Lobby, 4201 Main St., Houston, 77002, United States
Register here: https://luma.com/vz6fndi8
Kick off Houston Energy & Climate Startup Week in the Ion District!
​Join founders, investors, corporate leaders, researchers, and innovators from across Houston and beyond as we officially launch a week dedicated to advancing the future of energy and climate innovation.
​The evening begins with a keynote program featuring leaders from Houston’s energy and climate ecosystem who are helping shape what’s next for the industry. Following the program, explore the Ion during a building-wide Open House featuring startup showcases, corporate partners, technology demonstrations, and opportunities to connect with the organizations driving innovation across the region.
​Then head outside for our signature Block Party on the plaza with live music, drinks, bites from Ion District restaurants, and networking with the people building Houston’s innovation ecosystem.
​Whether you’re attending Houston Energy & Climate Startup Week for the first time or returning for another year, this is the perfect way to connect, discover, and kick off an exciting week of programming.

Activate: Meet the Cohort 2026
2026-09-15 17:00 - 19:00 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Register Here: https://luma.com/pw41fw82
Join us to celebrate the launch of Activate Houston’s 2026 Cohort and discover the breakthrough technologies they’re building to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges.

​Anning Corporation: Pioneering geologic hydrogen through advanced geoscience and stimulation technologies, creating a scalable low-cost, clean energy

​Brint Tech: Building optical sensing systems that quantify hydrogen, giving infrastructure operators the data to scale safely and credibly

​Simora Core: Building rare-earth free, contact-free electric motors with wireless rotors for everything from small appliances to vehicles and heavy industry

​Nivera: Developing natural composite coatings and packaging materials that reduce food waste and sustainably extends the shelf life of fresh food

​Orbital Arc: Creating electric propulsion on a microtrip to power movement in space at an unmatched scale, speed, and cost

​Renesin: Developing advanced materials that enable faster, more efficient AI hardware

​Selerra Separations: Engineering high-performance membranes that cut the cost and energy consumption of water treatment without compromising durability or water quality

​SwieNitro Recovery: Transforming nitrogen-rich waste streams into valuable fertilizer through a low-energy ammonia recovery platform

​Also, learn more about our C25 cohort:

​Biosimo: Enabling the chemical industry’s net-zero transition by replacing fossil-based essential chemicals with identical quality ones made from bio-ethanol

​Brightlight Photonics: Replacing tabletop laser systems with chip-scale titanium:sapphire lasers—bringing lab-grade performance to quantum technologies, diagnostics, and advanced manufacturing in a package that’s 100x smaller and cheaper

​Deep Anchor Solutions: Compact anchor making offshore energy viable in new and remote markets worldwide by enabling faster, cheaper deployment of floating renewables

​FlowCellutions: Chemistry-agnostic diagnostics for grid-scale batteries

​KIRA: Reimagining desalination expanding access to clean water and decarbonizing industries from oil and gas to agriculture

​Lift Biolabs: Replacing costly purification tools with buoyant protein reagents making therapeutic manufacturing more affordable while also enabling biotech to scale

​Semion: Transforming pest control by restoring crops’ natural defenses with plant-based compounds, reducing chemical use and environmental impact, and offering farmers more sustainable and resilient ways to protect their crops

​Activate’s Meet the Cohort is a proud anchor event for Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week, and sponsored by Goodwin Law and Berkner Group.
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Greentown Labs Houston Climatetech Summit 2026
2026-09-16 08:00 - 21:00 | Greentown Labs, 4200 San Jacinto St, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Register Here: https://luma.com/2r3qufae
The annual Greentown Climatetech Summit is the premier gathering of entrepreneurs, investors, corporate leaders, policymakers, and philanthropists accelerating the climate, energy, and industrial transformation.
​Once a year, we open the doors of our incubators to the people working hardest to move all of it forward. On Sept. 16 in Houston and Oct. 29 in Boston, step inside our labs to meet our 260+ climatetech startups, hear perspectives from industry leaders, and forge connections with changemakers across the ecosystem.
​Attend your way. Climatetech Summit offers multiple ways to participate:

​Full-Day Admission: Includes morning programming, lunch, the Startup Showcase & Open House, and the evening Pitch Competition & Happy Hour.

​Afternoon Showcase Admission: Includes afternoon access to the Open House & Startup Showcase, and the evening Pitch Competition & Happy Hour.

​Virtual Admission: Livestream access to the morning programming only.

​This isn’t a conference confined to one room. Throughout the day, you’ll move through Houston’s dynamic Ion District, from thought-provoking conversations at The Ion to hands-on innovation inside Greentown Labs, ending with an evening celebration at the legendary Continental Club. Each stop offers new opportunities to discover groundbreaking technologies, meet industry leaders, and experience why Houston is where climate innovation comes to life.
​Houston Agenda
​The Ion – 4201 Main Street (8:00am – 12:30pm)
​8:00 AM | Check-In & Breakfast
​8:40 AM | Welcome Remarks from Greentown Labs CEO Georgina Campbell Flatter
​9:00 AM | Keynote: Scaling the Biggest Clean Energy IPO on Wall Street, Featuring Tim Latimer, CEO & Co-founder, Fervo Energy, in conversation with David Baldwin, SCF Partners
​9:45 AM | Launching Unicorns: What Breaks on the Way to Scale
​10:25 AM | Networking Break
​11:00 AM | The U.S. Nuclear Renaissance: Is This Comeback Different?
​11:40 AM | Powering the AI Boom: Energy, Siting & the Capital Behind It
​12:15 PM | Transition to Greentown Labs Houston
​Greentown Labs Houston – 4200 San Jacinto Street (12:30pm – 4pm)
​12:30–2:00 PM | Networking Lunch
​2:00–4:00 PM | Open House & Startup Showcase
​Continental Club – 3700 Main Street (5:00pm – 9:00pm)
​5:00–9:00 PM | Startup Pitch Competition & Happy Hour

Nature Based Solutions in a Changing Climate: Projects that Reduce Flood Risk
2026-09-17 13:00 - 14:00 | Ion – Conference Room 031, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Register Here: ​https://luma.com/d7tn2z9r
​Flooding remains one of the most costly and persistent hazards facing Texas communities. Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) mitigate the impacts of flooding by using or imitating natural features and processes to increase flood resilience while providing environmental and community benefits.
​In this panel discussion, Dr. Justin Kozak, Nature-Based Solutions Program Manager for Nature Conservancy in Texas, will give a brief overview of flooding in Texas and discuss how NBS can be utilized to reduce flood risk. Mary Anne Piacentini, President & CEO of the Coastal Prairie Conservancy, will discuss how land conservation supports flood risk reduction and highlight findings from a SSPEED Center at Rice University study on the value of prairie. Justin Schultz, President and CEO of Houston Parks Board, will discuss the Hill at Sims, a recently opened 100-acre regional park in South Houston built on an active stormwater detention basin. The project demonstrates how flood infrastructure can be transformed into a vibrant community asset that protects surrounding neighborhoods from flooding.
​The session will include a Q&A and discussion.

Seeds of Hope {Women Navigating Climate Change
2026-09-17 17:30 - 19:30 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Register Here: ​https://luma.com/tlq9gfv8
Join us for an inspiring evening exploring how female founders are bringing empathy, resilience, and bold innovation to climate solutions. Through open conversations, explore why feminine leadership qualities are essential to building a more sustainable future.
​Amplify {Women of Color is proud to host the 3rd Annual Seeds of Hope during Houston Energy & Climate Startup Week, bringing together women to connect, lead, and inspire climate action!
​What You’ll Learn
​During this interactive experience, you’ll:

​Discover why diverse leadership and female perspectives are essential to solving complex climate challenges.

​Learn practical strategies for building resilience while leading through uncertainty and change.

​Experience a guided reset exercise to help transform overwhelm into purposeful action.

​Leave with meaningful connections and a personal commitment to help build a more sustainable future.

​​Who Should Attend
​Seeds of Hope is designed for women who want to lead with purpose and contribute to positive change. This event is especially valuable for:

​Corporate professionals interested in sustainability, innovation, and leadership

​Female founders and entrepreneurs

​Investors and ecosystem builders

​Students and emerging professionals

​Anyone seeking practical ways to support climate solutions and women-led innovation

​No climate background is required—just curiosity, openness, and a desire to build a better future together.
​Learn from Climate Change Leaders

Juliana Garaizar, a globally recognized venture investor and ecosystem builder
​Stacy Richardson, the Founder of Mobi Waste, providing commercial waste solutions that shrink waste onsite
​Jaya Skandan, the Founder of Planet Eco Corp, helping businesses replace single-use plastics with certified compostable packaging through practical, cost-effective sustainability solutions.
​Molly Reyes (Moderator), the Founder of Amplify {Woman of Color and an Oil & Gas executive with 25+ years of experience across the energy value chain.

​Resilience Reset with Dr. Lisa Cortez
​Known as “The Anxiety Dr.,” Dr. Lisa Cortez is a psychotherapist, speaker, and founder of Té Sana tea and wellness boutique.
​​​​​​​Event Schedule
​5:30 | Intentional Networking + Lite Bites from Bua’s Bistro

​Attendee will be given a thoughtful climate-related question to spark meaningful dialogue

​6:00 | Women Building Hope Panel {Female Founders on Resilience, Innovation & Climate Leadership
​6:45 | The Resilience Reset {Tools to Calm the Nervous System & Lead with Intention

​Activation led by Dr. Lisa Cortez, host the The Anxiety Dr. Podcast

​7:15 | Group Sharing & Closing Remarks
​*Recommended Dress Code | Business Casual or if you’re feeling playful, eco-fresh attire (get creative!)

Halliburton Labs Pitch Day
2026-09-18 08:00 - 12:00 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Register here: https://luma.com/0gc6wepy
​You are invited to the Halliburton Labs Company Showcase. This invitation‑only, in‑person event brings together a curated group of early‑stage energy technology investors and 16 Halliburton Labs companies in Houston.
​The Company Showcase highlights breakthrough technologies that shape the future of energy and industrial innovation and provides a focused forum for meaningful engagement between investors and founders.
​📅 Wednesday, June 17
🕘 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
📍 Halliburton Campus (3000 North Sam Houston Pkwy East Houston, Texas 77032)
​Company Showcase Program Includes:

​Opening remarks from Jeff Miller, Chairman, President, & CEO, Halliburton and Andres Cabada, Managing Director, Halliburton Labs

​Investor one‑on‑one and small‑group meetings (by request)

​Lunch

​We look forward to welcoming you for a high‑value opportunity to engage with innovative founders and explore technologies driving the future of energy.
​Participating Companies
​Aquafortus – Non-thermal liquid to liquid desalination technology for resource recovery from wastewater brine
​Ayrton Energy – High-density hydrogen storage medium
​Cache Energy – Electrified heat and long-term energy storage
​Cella – Advances subsurface mineralization of carbon dioxide
​Chemergy – Hydrogen from organic and plastic wastes
​Enexor BioEnergy – On-site waste to bioenergy conversion systems
​Espiku – Water and minerals recovery from industrial produced water
​LiNa Energy – Solid state sodium storage for renewables
​Marel Power Solutions – Advanced cooling to redefine power-stacks
​Mitico – Carbon capture sorption technology (granulated metal carbonate
​Nandina REM – The next evolution of carbon fiber
​Noon – 100+ hour ultra-long duration battery storage
​Proof Energy – Fuel agnostic metallic oxide fuel cells
​Sunchem – Precision separation of critical metals
​Sungreen – Advanced materials unlocking next-generation hydrogen, water, battery, and CO2 electrochemistry
​Syncris – Grid forming power electronics
​Learn more about participating companies here: Companies – Halliburton Labs
​Upon registering, you will have the option to schedule one‑on‑one or small‑group meetings with participating companies. Meeting participation is optional—please select “No Meeting” if you prefer to attend the plenary program only.
​This event is invitation‑only. Please contact us if you would like to include additional team members or if you have any questions.
​Sincerely,
Halliburton Labs Team

ENRG HTX - September 2026
2026-09-18 08:30 - 10:00 | Ion – Conference Room 028, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/enrg-htx-september-2026-tickets-1992148129683
ENRG (Entrepreneurial Networking Resource Group) is a community for entrepreneurs with 10-250 employees running on EOS or EOS Curious.

ENRG (pronounced energy) is here to stay in Houston!
Erick Garcia, Lesa A Skipper and Craig Ceccanti are teaming up to build the Houston ENRG Chapter and we could not be more excited to invite entrepreneurs running on EOS or EOS Curious to this collaborative room! Join us on September 18th at 8:30am at the Ion District (Downstairs 028) for the first meeting!
What is ENRG?
The vision is to establish an ENRG (Entrepreneurial Networking Resource Group) in Houston for entrepreneurs with 10-250 employees. This is a free EOS Worldwide aligned community for entrepreneurs led by one EOS Implementer and one Integrator.
Each monthly meeting includes:
– Practical training on an EOS tools
– Peer-to-peer issue solving
– Valuable networking
– Content that helps move the needle on your business
– Exposure to Subject Matter Experts
No sales pitches here though, we’re here to help all tides rise!
This is WHERE entrepreneurs find the WHOs and the HOWs to move their business forward.

Angel Investing 101
2026-09-22 17:30 - 18:30 | Ion – Conference Room 029 – 030, 4201 Main St, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
In a world where only the very wealthy, well connected, and major institutions have access to premium investment opportunities, which have created massive wealth for a small portion of the population, the Innovation Center for Urban Entrepreneurship team believes the key to closing income and wealth gaps globally is to democratize access to opportunities across the investment ecosystem.
Join the Innovation Center for Urban Entrepreneurship team for an evening of learning, discussion and possibilities as we explore the basics of angel investing and the role it plays in bringing new products and services to market and the impact it has on wealth and job creation.. At this event, you’ll learn the key components to successfully navigate the critical-path of investing in private, early-stage companies.
This session is ideal for the following investment related stakeholders:

Prospective Angel Investors who want to learn more about the world of Angel Investing
Investment Advisors (RIA/FA) who are looking for alternative investments for their clients
Entrepreneurs who want to learn more about what Angels are looking for in their deals
Entrepreneurs who want to meet/network with Angel Investors

Ion District Investor Activation Program:
The Houston Ion District Investor Activation Program along with Urban Capital Network is helping build an equitable climatetech industry capable of rapid deployment by addressing a fundamental challenge: the region’s lack of funding for early-stage climatetech startups, and 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 climatetech investment ecosystem that prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion.
If you would like to join the program, please fill out this form, and if you have additional questions, please contact Juliana Bernal Martinez at jbernal@greentownlabs.com.

Houston Startup Speedrun
2026-09-24 09:00 - 19:00 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wades-houston-startup-speedrun-at-the-ion-tickets-1988360089553?aff=erelexpmlt
The Houston Startup Speedrun is an intensive and fast-paced program designed to provide both early-stage founders and aspiring entrepreneurs with a comprehensive understanding of the Startup Founder’s Journey and the Houston startup ecosystem through a carefully curated curriculum consisting of 10 consecutive 50-minute sessions. Wade Pinder, your host and facilitator, is an experienced and trusted ecosystem guide for many Houston-based stakeholders. With a focus on efficiency and accommodating the schedules of full-time working professionals, this program aims to quickly give you a “lay of the land” while preparing you for your entrepreneurial journey.

NASA Tech Talks
2026-09-24 18:00 - 19:00 | 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.In these presentations, occurring the fourth Thursdays of the month, Mr. Montgomery Goforth and other aerospace subject matter experts will discuss the technology development challenges faced by NASA’s Johnson Space Center and the surrounding Aerospace community in our ongoing efforts as the hub of human spaceflight. Presentations will focus on the ways in which 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!Past NASA Tech Talks have included: Montgomery B. Goforth discussing NASA Intellectual Property suitable for commercialization by small/start-up companies; Jared Daum discussing Orion’s parachutes and risk identification and mitigation that are showstoppers for the spaceflight parachute industry; Kevin Kobylka discussing current Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) capabilities and needs; and Nick Skytland, Chief Technologist at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) and Director of the Business Development and Technology Integration Office. Future NASA Tech Talks will include: dual-use (space/terrestrial) technologies in the areas of:

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

About the Speakers
Montgomery B. Goforth has more than 40 years of experience as both Engineer and Manager in a variety of highly technical space and defense-related efforts. After working for a small defense contractor specializing in anti-submarine warfare, he joined NASA’s Johnson Space Center in 1990. He has held leadership positions in multiple JSC Directorates and Program Offices. In his current role as Assistant Director of the JSC Engineering Directorate, he has established a framework to better focus Engineering’s efforts towards Human Spaceflight technology and systems development consistent with JSC and Agency goals for exploration. He has used this framework to guide 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).
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

Houston Linux User Group
2026-09-24 18:00 - 20:00 | Ion – Conference Room 029 – 030, 4201 Main St, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Are you interested or already invested in the Linux Operating System?
Join us at the Houston Linux User Group, one of the oldest user groups involved with the Linux Operating System. We discuss new trends in operating system usage, software development, and current technological trends, as well as provide one-on-one training or class-based instruction. Learn about how to get more out of your computer or how to leverage any of the Linux-based computational platforms.
All are welcome to attend, regardless of whether you’re a seasoned Linux professional intent on networking or a new Linux user struggling with installation or the command line.
This monthly meeting includes all of the standard Houston Linux User Group meeting activities, which include meet-and-greet, presentations of personal projects, multi-meeting classes, as well as organizational and coordinating announcements.
Visit our website at: https://www.houstonlinux.org/
Visit our calendar and the agenda of each week’s meeting at: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/embed?src=houstonlinuxusergroup@gmail.com
Join us on social media.
Discord: https://discord.gg/MPzYfeJz
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/houstonlinuxusergroup/

Mapping Houston's Innovation Ecosystem
2026-09-25 10:00 - 11:00 | Ion – Conference Room 027, 4201 Main St, Houston, TX, 77002
Facilitated by Wade Pinder, Ion’s Mentor in Residence
Houston’s startup and innovation ecosystem is as vast and dynamic as the city itself, full of opportunities, resources, and talent. Yet, navigating it can be challenging—especially for those unfamiliar with its many parts. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, educator, student, community leader or curious professional, this session will offer valuable insights into how Houston’s innovation ecosystem works and how you can find your place within it.
Discover the Houston Ecosystem’s Flow
Facilitated by Wade Pinder, the Ion’s Mentor in Residence, this session will help participants map out the journey needed to take an idea from concept to a mature company. Wade brings years of experience in product management, community building, and mentoring entrepreneurs to the table, offering a thoughtful and informed perspective to guide this exploration.
The heart of the session lies in exploring a dynamic mind map that Wade has created and continues to refine—an ever-evolving, community-driven tool that grows alongside Houston’s innovation ecosystem. Attendees will not only learn about the ecosystem’s flow but also have the opportunity to contribute to it by identifying gaps, sharing knowledge, and adding their insights.
This session will center on the stages of a company’s growth journey, exploring the essential elements that drive it forward. Participants will examine the role of financial capital, from early fundraising efforts to securing the resources needed for scaling, and how these milestones align with a company’s progression. The discussion will also delve into the human element of growing a business, highlighting the evolving talent and expertise required to navigate the entrepreneurial journey. Additionally, we’ll explore the importance of “social capital”—the networks, support systems, and relationships that play a critical role in moving ideas to market and sustaining long-term growth.
Ion’s Vision
Helping the community better understand the local ecosystem reflects the Ion’s commitment “to being the home for Houston’s innovation community.” By fostering connections, creating opportunities, and sharing perspectives, the Ion is building a transformative culture that strengthens Houston’s economic resiliency and celebrates the entrepreneurial journey.
From forming an initial entrepreneurial idea to the prototyping phase to scaling a business, this Houston Ecosystem Mapping session aligns with the Ion’s goals to support innovation, attract talent, and build a vibrant ecosystem.
Who Should Attend?
This session is ideal for:

Entrepreneurs looking to understand greater Houston’s resources.
Investors curious about the local startup landscape.
Professionals and students wanting to connect with the innovation community.
Anyone passionate about Houston’s growth as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Innovators who have recently moved to greater Houston and are looking to get “plugged in” to the local scene.
Community leaders and service providers that support (or want to support) the innovation ecosystem.

Register today for this chance to explore Houston’s ecosystem, uncover its flow, and help shape its future.
