Rice University and the Rice Real Estate Company are proud to announce new partnerships with Houston-based Occidental (Oxy), Fathom Fund and Activate, marking a major milestone as the Ion is now 90% leased. These new leases highlight the Ion’s growing role as a premier destination for partners dedicated to empowering startups and fostering technological innovation in Houston’s thriving Midtown district.

“As the Ion continues to attract leading companies and organizations across industries, it’s clear that our vision of creating a dynamic and collaborative environment for innovation is resonating,” said Ken Jett, president of the Rice Real Estate Company and vice president of facilities and capital construction at Rice. “We are proud to set the standard for how the workplace can evolve to foster the commercialization and growth of transformative technologies that enhance quality of life in our community and beyond.”

Partners fueling Houston’s startup ecosystem

Oxy, Activate and Fathom Fund are playing key roles in nurturing the growth of Houston’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Beyond their leases, these partners contributed significantly to high-impact programming such as the inaugural Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week last month and key partners in bringing venture capitalists, startups and innovators to highlight Houston’s leadership in the energy transition. Notably, Oxy President and CEO Vicki Hollub was featured recently in a live podcast recording with “My Climate Journey,” and Activate recently hosted its first “Meet the Cohort” event showcasing breakthrough technologies from its entrepreneurial fellows.

Collaborative space for startups

Oxy, which seeks to engage with innovators who are aligned with its initiatives to address atomospheric emissions and develop lower carbon products, has secured a prime location spanning nearly 6,500 square feet on the fourth floor of the Ion. Joining Oxy are two innovation powerhouses that are shaping the future: Fathom Fund and Activate. Fathom Fund, a Houston-based deep-tech venture capital firm, stands apart from most VC funds with its unique ability to dive deep into emerging technologies, backing visionary founders and high-risk, high-reward innovations that have the potential to redefine entire industries.

Activate, a national leader in translating cutting-edge science into marketable technologies, has established locations in Berkeley, California, New York and Boston. With the Ion as its only Texas location, Activate is expanding its renowned fellowship model to Houston and the Midwest, providing not just funding but also unparalleled mentorship, resources and strategic networks to bring breakthrough discoveries to market. With Fathom Fund and Activate already utilizing their new spaces, their presence solidifies the Ion as a premier hub for innovation, collaboration and technological advancement.

Oxy’s office design and construction are slated for completion by early 2025, creating a dynamic environment where industry leaders, technologists and entrepreneurs can come together to shape the future of energy and technology.

The Ion’s leasing momentum follows other notable additions, including Kongsberg Digital, Artemis Energy Partners, CES Renewables and Eleox, which have also contributed to the Ion’s vibrant community of forward-thinking companies.

“The partnerships we’ve forged are vital to shaping the Ion into a vibrant ecosystem for startups, where collaborative innovation is not only driving local economic growth but also positioning Houston as a global leader in the energy transition,” said Paul Cherukuri, chief innovation officer at Rice. “With our team leading the programming and activation across the Ion District, we are creating companies that harness cutting-edge technology for the benefit of society — advancing solutions that contribute to social good while addressing the most pressing challenges of our time. This powerful network is redefining Houston’s role in the future of energy, technology and social impact.”

Hub for innovation and collaboration

The Ion, designed to set a new standard for workplace innovation, boasts LEED Gold, Wired Score Platinum and WELL Silver certifications. The state-of-the-art facility offers flexible spaces designed to meet the needs of startups at every stage, while also providing access to community programming, networking events and unique amenities like dining options, a fitness center, coworking spaces and a prototyping lab.

Located at the heart of the 16-acre Ion District, the Ion serves as a catalyst for the commercialization of technologies developed at Rice and beyond. Its strategic partnerships with organizations like Chevron, Microsoft, Aramco, Baker Botts, ExxonMobil, Woodside Energy and others ensure that it remains a leading hub for technological innovation and entrepreneurship

The Ion building is the transformative centerpiece of Houston’s innovation corridor, powered by Rice. Designed to bring the city’s entrepreneurial, corporate and academic communities into collaborative spaces and programs, the sunlit structure of steel and glass is a home for advancing diverse knowledge, teams, technologies and products that propel our world forward.