Ion District

MADabolic x Ion District
2025-12-13 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-12-20 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-01-17 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Chicago) | Ion Plaza, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Register Here: https://www.sweatpals.com/host/MADabolic__Ion_District
As MADabolic – The Strength Gym builds out its 2nd location inside the Ion District (opening early 2026), join them as they kick things off with FREE outdoor MADabolic workouts weekly on the Ion’s Plaza!
💪 Who: All fitness levels welcome (class capped at 25 participants)
🔥 What: A strength-driven, interval-based group workout led by certified MADabolic coaches
🗺️ Where: Ion Plaza, look for the MADabolic Tent & Table + FREE 3 hours parking in Red Lot
📅 When: Saturdays | 9:00–10:00 AM
💥 Cost: Free to train or just come out and connect
Come sweat, meet the team, and experience the MADness before we open our doors in 2026!

Perfecting Your Pitch
2025-12-17 17:30 - 18:30, 2026-01-21 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 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.

Ion Networking with Cup of Joey
2025-12-19 08:30 - 10:30, 2026-01-09 08:30 - 10:30, 2026-01-16 08:30 - 10:30, 2026-01-23 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/

⭕️Cybersecurity Circle⭕️
2025-12-19 08:30 - 10:30 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
A networking meetup welcoming cybersecurity enthusiasts of all experience levels.
Our mission is to DEFEAT CYBER CRIMINALS by making cybersecurity knowledge accessible and relatable to everyone. This event creates a supportive environment for individuals starting their cybersecurity journey, those transitioning into the field, and professionals navigating job transitions—including those rebuilding confidence after layoffs. Together, we strengthen our collective defense against cyber threats while fostering career growth and community connections.
The Cybersecurity Circle unites practitioners of all levels in an inclusive community committed to defeating cybercrime through shared knowledge, collaboration, and continuous learning. Together, we’re securing our digital world—one hack at a time

Mapping Houston's Ecosystem
2025-12-19 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.

Event Details
📅 Date: Friday, March 21, 2025
⏰ Time: 10:00am
📍 Location: The Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX
Register today for this chance to explore Houston’s ecosystem, uncover its flow, and help shape its future.

SCORE + LSA Global Office Hours
2025-12-19 10:00 - 11:30 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, 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)

Building Closed
2025-12-25, 2026-01-01 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States

HUMAN. Stories.
2026-01-08 18:00 - 20:00 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
HUMAN. Stories. is a place to be fully HUMAN, both as a storyteller and as an audience member.
It is a space where messiness is welcome and lived experience is recognized as wisdom. Stories are shared with honesty and care, and the room itself becomes part of the experience. What unfolds is shaped not only by the voices on stage, but by the presence, curiosity, and humanity of those listening.
The wisdom in the room is appreciated and harnessed. Questions are allowed to surface rather than be rushed past. Pause and reflection are encouraged so meaning can take shape in its own time.
HUMAN. Stories.™ is a new kind of storytelling experience. One where truth is shared with care and silence is part of the experience.
Hosted by Tracie Jae, also known as The Quiet Rebel, this inaugural gathering invites the community into stories that are honest, grounded, and intentionally unhurried. Each storyteller shares a lived moment through the HUMAN framework: Honesty, Urgency, Meaningfulness, Accountability, and Nuance.
This first-ever HUMAN. Stories. takes place on Tracie Jae’s birthday, making the evening both a personal and collective celebration of truth told aloud.

Level Up Your LinkedIn: What’s New + A Hands-On Audit
2026-01-09 08:30 - 10:30 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/level-up-your-linkedin-whats-new-a-hands-on-audit-tickets-1977726702807?aff=erelpanelorg
Join Impact Hub at the Social Media Breakfast and learn how to maximize the power of social media for your business! Expand your reach, connect with your audience, and boost your brand’s online presence. Don’t miss out! http://smbhou.com/

⭕️Cybersecurity Circle⭕️
2026-01-09 09:00 - 10:30 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Register Here: https://cybersecuritycircle.org
The ⭕️Cybersecurity Circle⭕️ unites practitioners of all levels in an inclusive community committed to defeating cybercrime through shared knowledge, collaboration, and continuous learning. Together, we’re securing our digital world—one hack at a time.
Their mission is to DEFEAT CYBER CRIMINALS by making cybersecurity knowledge accessible and relatable to everyone. This event fosters a supportive environment for individuals embarking on their cybersecurity journey, those transitioning into the field, and professionals navigating job transitions—including those rebuilding confidence after layoffs.
Together, we strengthen our collective defense against cyber threats while fostering career growth and community connections.

Welcome to the Ion: An Introduction and Tour
2026-01-09 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.

MADabolic x Ion District
2026-01-10 09:00 - 10:00 | Ion Plaza, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Register Here: https://www.sweatpals.com/host/MADabolic__Ion_District
As MADabolic – The Strength Gym builds out its 2nd location inside the Ion District (opening early 2026), join them as they kick things off with FREE outdoor MADabolic workouts weekly on the Ion’s Plaza!
💪 Who: All fitness levels welcome (class capped at 25 participants)
🔥 What: A strength-driven, interval-based group workout led by certified MADabolic coaches
🗺️ Where: Ion Plaza, look for the MADabolic Tent & Table + FREE 3 hours parking in Red Lot
📅 When: Saturdays | 9:00–10:00 AM
💥 Cost: Free to train or just come out and connect
Come sweat, meet the team, and experience the MADness before we open our doors in 2026!!

Tech+Tequila Talk: How AI-Based Audience Intelligence Gives Full Insight Into Soccer Fans
2026-01-13 17:00 - 19:00 | Ion – Conference Room 029 – 030, 4201 Main St, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Register Here: https://luma.com/6ryl5nua?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnyuJU3SteeCmCnsHR5ys3KV2_6SpoQZ0_JZ-ARNoKu7Suc1IjbQDi9A-_28c_aem_95oAA6oaOs88TSgUCG3GJA&utm_content=link_in_bio&utm_medium=social&utm_source=ig
​Blue People brings you: Tech & Tequila Talk 🍹
​Soccer is no longer just a sport, it’s a digital movement. By the time the first whistle blows in 2026, the winners will have already been decided by who understood the audience first. At Blue People, they’re not just spectators; they’re builders. That’s why they’re bringing together T.E.A.M. Houston, Maximum Ventures, and RASCASSE to bridge the gap between AI-powered intelligence and Houston’s biggest opportunity.
​Forget “generic demographics.” They’re looking at the behavioral DNA of the global soccer fan. Whether it’s the “Ronaldo Effect” or the hyper-local habits of our own Dynamo supporters, they’re using AI to map the digital signals that tell us where fans actually spend their time and money.
​Join us for a high-energy evening at The Ion. No heavy technical deep dives, just strategic insights, networking that moves the needle, and curated tequila.
​The “Intelligence Briefing”:

​Beyond the Guesswork: How to build fan personas based on real digital signals, not assumptions.

​The Digital Roadmap: See exactly where fans live online, from TikTok to Reddit, and how to reach them.

​The 2026 Playbook: Identify the “hotspots” for sponsorship, location planning, and brand growth before the influx hits.

​They’re even aiming to provide sample intelligence reports for those in the room. Come see how AI is turning the world’s game into Houston’s biggest business advantage.
​The tequila is on us.
​Tuesday, January 13th, 2025 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM CST | The Ion, Houston.
Questions or more info here –https://www.linkedin.com/company/tech-tequila-talk/
​Hosted by Blue People

Financing the Future: Bringing Enhanced Geothermal Systems to Scale
2026-01-13 17:30 - 19:30 | Ion – Forum Stairs, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Register here: https://luma.com/48ubi5w3
James Blake, Head of Capital Markets at Fervo Energy, will cover the current investment landscape for geothermal power, how geothermal projects are structured and the role of policy incentives and innovative financing models in moving the industry forward.
​The presentation will last roughly one hour followed by a small reception afterwards.

MLK Million Dollar AI Panels and MLK Dream AI Competition
2026-01-15 10:00 - 20:00 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Register here: https://www.vipsocio.com/event/mlkaipanelsandcompetition
MLK Million dollar AI panels and MLK Dream AI Competition
10-5 Panels
10-5 Workshops
4-6 VIP Networking
6-8 Dream AI Launch

Where High-Level Conversations Turn Into Real Opportunity
The Million Dollar Panels™ are curated, outcome-driven discussions featuring founders, investors, operators, and executives who are actively building, funding, and scaling real businesses.
These are not motivational talks or surface-level panels.They are boardroom-level conversations focused on how million-dollar ideas are actually created, structured, and executed—especially at the intersection of AI, real estate, capital, and community.

What Makes These Panels Different
Million Dollar Panels™ go beyond inspiration and focus on:
How deals are sourced, evaluated, and funded
How AI is changing valuation, speed, and scale
How real estate and technology intersect for long-term value
What decisions mattered most—and which mistakes cost the most
Where opportunity is moving right now, not last year
Panelists are asked the questions most events avoid:
What failed before it worked?
What would you never do again?
What do you look for before saying yes to a deal?
What skills or assets created leverage?
What would you build if you had to start today?
Room A — AI, Innovation & Income
Room A focuses on how AI becomes a practical tool for creating opportunity, income, and scale—no technical background required.
Workshop themes include:
AI tools for founders and small teams
Turning ideas into AI-powered offers
Monetizing knowledge, skills, and community
Using AI to move faster with less overhead
Building trust, positioning, and differentiation in an AI-driven world
This room is for anyone asking:
“How do I actually use AI to move the needle?”

Room B — Real Estate, Capital & Community
Room B is focused on real assets, capital flow, and execution.

10 Guiding Principles for a Winning Marketing Strategy
2026-01-15 16:00 - 18:00 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Register here: https://sblemons.com/corporate-training/#wmsevents
Want to grow your business? Let S.B. Lemons & Company help you.
Workshop participants will learn time-tested marketing principles for business growth. Key benefits of the workshop include: 1) increased insight into your target customer and how to increase your revenue; 2) improved self-confidence in your marketing and communications strategies; and 3) an expanded network of business professionals with whom to collaborate and learn from. Limited space. First come, first served. Complete your reservation today!

⭕️Cybersecurity Circle⭕️
2026-01-16 09:00 - 10:30 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Our mission is to DEFEAT CYBER CRIMINALS by making cybersecurity knowledge accessible and relatable to everyone. This event creates a supportive environment for individuals starting their cybersecurity journey, those transitioning into the field, and professionals navigating job transitions—including those rebuilding confidence after layoffs. Together, we strengthen our collective defense against cyber threats while fostering career growth and community connections.
The ⭕️Cybersecurity Circle⭕️ unites practitioners of all levels in an inclusive community committed to defeating cybercrime through shared knowledge, collaboration, and continuous learning. Together, we’re securing our digital world—one hack at a time

Mapping Houston's Ecosystem
2026-01-16 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.

Greater Houston Business Procurement Breakfast
2026-01-20 08:00 - 11:00 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Join the B2G Victory Team and come by our table at the Greater Houston Business Procurement Forum (GHBP) January.
Breakfast Served: 8:00AM- 9:00AM
The GHBP is excited to:

Provide a venue that “Makes Business Happen” for Houston’s small and minority business community and the community at large.
Connects key contacts that lead to contracts and financing
Facilitate management and technical assistance
Assist in the growth and development of the Houston Community
Generates real business Success Stories

For more information about the Greater Houston Business Procurement (GHBP) Forum, visit: https://ghbpf.org/contact/#calendar-fe92efaa-617b-4a09-bd7f-7e198bdab716-event-m681n7cz

Angel Investing 101
2026-01-20 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.

Real-Time Monitoring & AI for Offshore Safety Operations
2026-01-21 08:30 - 10:30 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Join Upstream for a special edition of the Upstream: Digital Tech Meetup at the Ion, a community gathering focused on practical digital innovation for drilling, production, and offshore operations.
​This session will explore how AI and real-time monitoring are being applied in safety-critical offshore environments, what’s working today, where the biggest gaps remain going into 2026, and how operators and service companies are approaching adoption. Coffee and a light breakfast will be provided.
​Event Details
​Topic: Real-Time Monitoring & AI for Offshore Safety Operations
​Format: Moderated Panel + Table Discussions
​Host: Upstream: Digital Tech Meetup
​Venue Sponsor: The Ion
​Event Sponsor: INTELIE
​Brought to you by: Timbergrove and INTCOM
​Date: January 21 Time: 8:30 – 10:30 AM Location: The Ion – Midtown Houston (4201 Main St.)
​Agenda
​8:00 – 8:30 AM Check-in
​8:30 – 9:00 AM Networking with light breakfast
​9:00 – 9:50 AM Moderated Panel (Introductions by Ian Uriarte)
​9:50 – 10:00 AM Q&A
​10:00 – 10:20 AM Table discussions
​10:20 – 10:30 AM Closing comments
​Speakers
​Moderator: • Rob Tiffany — Director of Research, IDC
​Panelists:
​• David Reid — CTO/CMO, NOV
​• Stéphane Lauzon — Global VP & Head of Oil, Gas & Energy, SAP
​• Augusto Borella — Chief Product Officer, INTELIE
​• Alvaro Antunes — Founder & CEO, INTCOM
​Host: • Ian Uriarte — Founder & CEO, Timbergrove / Upstream: Digital Tech Meetup

Code4Y’all: AI Tools & Real-World Workflows
2026-01-21 18:00 - 19:00 | Ion – Conference Room 029 – 030, 4201 Main St, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Register here: www.meetup.com/code4yall/events/312870267/?slug=code4yall&eventId=312870267
Join us for our ongoing meetup series where we explore practical AI tools and techniques that help you save time, gain clarity, and make smarter technical decisions quickly. In this session, we’ll focus on WPadmin.AI as a case study, but the ideas apply broadly, showing how AI can let you investigate a website in minutes instead of hours and connect the dots effortlessly.
Many of us have faced this situation: inheriting a site, receiving a vague complaint from a client, or being handed a project with little documentation. To move forward confidently, you need to quickly understand the site’s structure, identify the technologies, plugins, or frameworks in use, spot bottlenecks or errors, and determine the best path to fix them. In the past, this meant manual inspection, crawling, guessing, checking logs, and gathering clues from multiple tools.
This meetup will show how AI can make that process much easier. We’ll demonstrate how an AI-assisted approach can pinpoint key parts of a site’s structure, highlight likely technology choices, and help you diagnose common issues, so you can shift from “I’m not sure what I’m looking at” to a clear, prioritized action plan. The presenter will also share how these capabilities have been integrated into a real admin environment as a helpful assistant and what this means for developers, site owners, and maintenance teams.
We’ll focus on real-world examples and results, highlighting where AI is dependable, where it still needs a human hand, and how to use it responsibly as a powerful support tool rather than a replacement for good engineering judgment.

NASA Tech Talks: Rice Space Institute and the UK Consulate
2026-01-22 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.This month NASA Tech Talks is partnering with the Rice Space Institute and the UK Consulate in Houston to bring you a special event featuring a delegation from the UK Science and Technology Network. We’ll get to hear from a panel of UK space experts followed by a very special fireside chat featuring Dr. David Alexander, the head of the Rice Space Institute, and Meganne Christian, ESA reserve astronaut and senior exploration manager. Along the way, we’ll learn about the exciting opportunities upcoming for UK-US space collaboration and ongoing projects at Rice, the European Space Agency (ESA), the UK Space Agency (UKSA), and in Houston more broadly.Please join us after the talk for drinks and networking at Second Draught!

About the Speakers
Meganne Louise Christian is a member of the 2022 European Space Agency Astronaut Group and Reserve Astronaut and Exploration Commercialization Lead at the UK Space Agency. In January 2025, she began the first of three, two-month Astronaut Reserve Training (ART) programs at ESA’s European Astronaut Center (EAC) in Cologne, Germany. Meganne completed her Doctorate at the University of New South Wales in industrial chemistry, studying the design, synthesis, and advanced characterization of nanomaterials for hydrogen storage applications. She was previously a materials scientist at the National Research Council (CNR) in Bologna, Italy, and atmospheric physicist at Concordia Station in Antarctica. As scientist in charge of atmospheric physics and meteorology at the French-Italian research base, she was responsible for various observatories, including radiation, meteorology, stratospheric lidars, chemical and physical atmospheric aerosols and infrared radiation for Antarctic clouds.
Dr. David Alexander is a professor of astrophysics at Rice University and a Rice faculty scholar at the Baker Institute. Alexander also serves as the Director of the Rice Space Institute. Alexander was awarded an OBE by her majesty Queen Elizabeth in June 2018 for services to the space industry, received a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers in 2004 and was appointed a Kavli Frontiers Fellow by the National Academy of Sciences in 2006. He is former Chair of the Solar Physics Division of the American Astronomical Society and has served on many professional committees including the NASA Advisory Council’s Heliophysics Subcommittee, and the NASA Solar Heliospheric Management and Operations Working Group. He has been named a GlobalScot by the Scottish government and was an elected member of the Board of Directors of the American Astronautical Society from 2018-2022. He served as Chair of the inaugural Aerospace and Aviation Industry Committee of the Greater Houston Partnership, has been on the Board of Directors of the Houston Spaceport Development Corporation since 2021 and was recently appointed to the Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium Executive Committee. Alexander received his Bachelor of Science in Natural Philosophy and Astronomy, and his astrophysics doctorate from the University of Glasgow.
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 previous role as Assistant Director of the JSC Engineering Directorate, he established a framework to better focus Engineering’s efforts towards Human Spaceflight technology and systems development consistent with JSC and Agency goals for exploration. Mr. Goforth is now serving as Acting Director of the Business Development & Technology Integration Office at JSC, and as the JSC Chief Technologist. In these capacities he will be helping to expand the Houston Aerospace Community through the identification of opportunities to develop space/terrestrial technologies of interest to JSC and Human Space Exploration. Mr. Goforth was born in East Texas, raised in Southern California and Arizona, and graduated from Rice University (BSME 1982, MSME 1987).

About NASA Tech Talks
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. We will continue to identify potential space/terrestrial technologies of interest to Human Spaceflight. Past NASA Tech Talks have included topics such as:

From Space to Startup: Leveraging NASA Technology and Innovation to Propel Your Growing Enterprise
Disruptive Filter Technology for Spacecraft Water Treatment: The New Promise of Graphene
Lunar dust capture using novel multiplexed inertial filter
Lunar Passive Fuel Cell Technologies:
Microbes in Space

About the Rice Space Institute (RSI)
RSI was formed in 2000 as part of the merger between the former Physics and Space Physics and Astronomy departments. In 2011, the Wiess School of Natural Sciences began a program to strengthen Rice’s involvement in space-related research and to pursue a more formal partnership with the NASA Johnson Space Center under the auspices of RSI.
RSI has taken a central role in fostering programs which have given rise to Rice’s international reputation in all areas of space research. As a world leader in space, earth and astronomical sciences, advanced technology and engineering, public policy and business, Rice University invests in efforts to further the development of new ideas and innovation in the broad area that is space exploration and utilization.
RSI is a dynamic leader in bringing the community together to promote space research, education, policy and advocacy.
