Ion District

Ion Networking with Cup of Joey
2026-01-16 08:30 - 10:30, 2026-01-23 08:30 - 10:30, 2026-01-30 08:30 - 10:30, 2026-02-06 08:30 - 10:30 (America/Chicago) | 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⭕️
2026-01-16 09:00 - 10:30, 2026-01-23 09:00 - 10:30, 2026-01-30 09:00 - 10:30, 2026-02-06 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.

MADabolic x Ion District
2026-01-17 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-01-31 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!

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

Perfecting Your Pitch
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.

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.

SCORE + NASA Office Hours
2026-01-23 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-01-30 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)
About NASA Office Hours
NASA is launching recurring Friday morning office hours to connect the innovation community with experts from across the agency. The program will begin with a focus on Technology Transfer, offering insight into how NASA-developed technologies and intellectual property can be applied beyond space.
Over time, office hours will expand to showcase additional capabilities at Johnson Space Center and across NASA, evolving based on community interest and needs.

Houston Get Capital Ready Small Business Hackathon
2026-01-23 15:00 - 18:00 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
The Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership is hosting a Small Business Hackathon as part of our Houston Capital Circles initiative to help more local small business owners gain access to the knowledge, networks, and capital needed for entrepreneurial success.
We are looking for 20 volunteers who are passionate about supporting small businesses to join us. Volunteers will work with up to 3 business owners in a small group to refine their pitch presentations or complete our financial projections template. You’ll challenge them on the assumptions they are making, explain the basic best practices of pitching or financial modeling, and walk them through how to enter their information into the templates that we provide. What might seem very basic for you as a business professional can be daunting for a small business owner. Just two hours of your time during this session can make a huge impact.

Buying and Selling Businesses
2026-01-28 17:30 - 19:00 | Ion – Conference Room 029 – 030, 4201 Main St, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Join Lenny Saizan, owner of Murphy Business & Financial – Southwest Houston, Managing Director of Urban Capital Network, and creator of the Legacy Maximizer exit strategy, for a practical, real-world discussion on selling and buying businesses.
Selling or acquiring a business is one of the most significant financial decisions most entrepreneurs will ever make, yet many owners and buyers go through the process for the first time without a clear roadmap. This session breaks down the transaction process from both sides of the table and highlights how thoughtful planning, proper valuation, and coordinated advice can materially impact outcomes.
For business owners, the discussion centers on how to maximize enterprise value, prepare for a future exit, and align business decisions with personal wealth, tax, and legacy goals. For buyers, the session explores entrepreneurship through acquisition, including how buying an existing business can reduce risk, generate immediate cash flow, and serve as a growth strategy for current operators.
Drawing on his experience as a business broker, investment advisor, and financial professional, Lenny connects the technical aspects of M&A with broader exit planning and wealth strategy considerations, helping attendees understand not just how transactions work, but how they fit into a bigger financial picture.
Topics include:

Current market conditions and buyer demand
When to prepare to sell or buy
Key drivers of business value
How businesses are valued in the real world
Recasting and normalizing financial statements
Overview of the sales and acquisition process
The role of advisors and the deal team
Tax, insurance, and planning considerations before and after a transaction

This session is ideal for business owners considering a sale now or in the future, prospective buyers exploring acquisition, and professionals who support small business owners through growth and transition.
Presenter

Lenny Saizan is the owner and lead broker of Murphy Business & Financial – Southwest Houston, where he advises business owners on exit planning, value maximization, and business sales, and supports buyers pursuing acquisitions and franchises. He is also the co-founder and Managing Director of Urban Capital Network, an investment firm focused on expanding access to private investment opportunities.
Earlier in his career, Lenny spent two decades in engineering, automation, and oil and gas, leading teams across operational controls, financial controls, and audit. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Louisiana State University and an MBA from Tulane University. His credentials include Certified Mergers & Acquisition Professional, Six Sigma Green Belt, and Project Management Professional. In 2025, he was recognized as Deal Maker of The Year at Houston Dealmakers conference.

Founders & Funders Happy Hour | Houston
2026-01-29 17:00 - 20:00 | Second Draught, 4201 Main St. Suite 130, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Register here: https://luma.com/6up6qcae?_bhlid=fa1df09e37e8aff609fdf4da51d252174dfbfabe&utm_campaign=houston-s-startup-scene-three-stories-you-need-to-know&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_source=newsletter.rocketnetwork.ai
Come hang out with the people at TiE Houston, Rocket Network, and The Ion!
​​This time around, they’re focusing on bringing together folks that are active founders and investors. If you don’t fit this but you’ve been coming to previous F&F events and supporting them from the start, you’re also welcome!
Talk tech, startups, VC, or the crazy state of the world! Stop by, have a drink, say hello, and meet some cool people.
​​​​​See you there!
​​​​​​​About the hosts:
​​Rocket Network is your go-to source for insights and updates for innovation lovers and tech startup professionals.
​​TiE Houston, part of TiE Global, is a nonprofit venture devoted to entrepreneurs in all industries, at all stages, from incubation, throughout the entrepreneurial lifecycle.
​Lavina Kalwani is a VC and an ecosystem builder in the Houston area. She was previously at Rock Yard Ventures and Mercury Fund.

Startup Circle Houston 💫
2026-01-30 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-02-06 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/

Houston Methodist Office Hours
2026-01-30 10:30 - 12:30 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Join us at the Houston Methodist Tech Hub at Ion on select Friday mornings for Office Hours to meet with the Center for Innovation team.
Do you have an idea for an innovative healthcare solution? Do you work on technology in another industry that could be applicable to healthcare? Do you want to learn more about how hospital systems work with innovators? Come meet with us!

Entrepreneurship Roundtable with OPEN
2026-02-02 11:00 - 13:00 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Register here: https://form.jotform.com/253065225589059
This event will be a facilitated discussion bringing together founders, builders, and innovators to explore what it takes to create, scale, and sustain meaningful ventures. Every roundtable will have different topics of discussion as well. Here is the following criteria for individuals to join:
1. Emerging Founders
– Actively developing a startup, product, or business concept
– May be pre-revenue or early revenue (<$500K ARR)
– Committed to launching or validating their idea within the next 12 months
2. Established Entrepreneurs
– Have founded or co-founded a company (past or present)
– Are seeking to scale, pivot, or build their “next best thing”
– Have raised funding, bootstrapped, or achieved meaningful revenue milestones
3. Intrapreneurs & Innovators
– Corporate or technical professionals building new initiatives, divisions, or technologies within their organizations
– Interested in transitioning to entrepreneurship or investing in early-stage ventures

Tech+Tequila Talk: Tax Equity: Aligning Incentives for Founders, Investors & Philanthropy
2026-02-03 17:00 - 19:00 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Register Here: https://luma.com/ulwo5zgu
Stop selling your company piece by piece. Join Blue People to learn how the tax code can become your most powerful fundraising tool.
Blue People brings you: Tech & Tequila Talk 🍹
Equity is the most expensive currency you have. 💰 At our next session, we’re moving beyond traditional fundraising as Cesar de la Cerda, Founder & CIO of EnvisionVest, joins rhem to explore Tax Equity, a strategic way to align incentives for founders, investors, and philanthropy without diluting your ownership.
The “Intelligence Briefing”:
Capital vs. Dilution: How to raise capital through tax equity instead of giving up more of your company.
The Liability Lever: Use cases for leveraging the tax code to drastically reduce tax liability.
Strategic Philanthropy: How to turn “tax dollars” into “impact dollars” through smart resource allocation.
Join them at The Ion for strategic insights, high-level networking, and curated tequila. No dry lectures, just the financial blueprints you need to scale. 🚀
The tequila is on them.
Tuesday, February 3rd, 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

Ion Block Party: Mardi Gras
2026-02-05 16:00 - 19:00 | Ion Plaza, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Are you an entrepreneur looking to expand your network, find like-minded individuals, and share innovative ideas?
The Ion Block Party is the event you’ve been waiting for! Nestled in the heart of the innovation district, this gathering is the perfect opportunity for startups, tech enthusiasts, and business visionaries to come together in a dynamic and festive environment.
We’re cranking up the excitement this year with a Mardi Gras-themed party! Get ready to celebrate innovation with a splash of New Orleans flair. 🎭🎉
Why You Should Attend:

Networking Opportunities: Meet potential collaborators, mentors, and investors who are eager to share their experiences and collaborate on new ventures.
Innovative Atmosphere: Surround yourself with the buzz of creativity and innovation. Exchange ideas, get inspired, and witness the cutting-edge trends shaping our future.
Food + Celebration: Enjoy good food and drinks with friends and colleagues.

Food & drink will be available at this event – the Ion team will provide one drink ticket during check-in for refreshing beverages on us at Second Draught!

Welcome to the Ion: An Introduction and Tour
2026-02-06 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 + NASA Office Hours
2026-02-06 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)
About NASA Office Hours

NASA is bringing its expertise to Houston’s innovation hub! Every Friday, join us for NASA’s first office hours designed to connect innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups with NASA experts. We’re kicking off with a focus on Technology Transfer—learn how you can license NASA-developed technologies and intellectual property to help solve challenges here on Earth. Over time, these sessions will expand to showcase even more capabilities from the Johnson Space Center and across NASA, evolving based on community needs.
