Ion District

DivInc DWeb for Social Impact Demo Day
2023-12-07 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Ion – Forum Stairs, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
DivInc’s Fall 2023 DWeb for Social Impact Accelerator supported by Filecoin Foundation for the Decentralized Web (FFDW) supports startups led by BIPOC and women founders leveraging emerging technologies within the decentralized web and web3 to address issues of inequity in sectors including but not limited to healthcare, education, housing, accessibility for those with a disability, and racial injustice.

Investor Speaker Series: Both Sides of the Coin
2023-12-07 16:00 - 19:30 | Greentown Labs, 4200 San Jacinto St, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Join us for a celebration of this year’s climate action following our last Investor Speaker Series of 2023!
In the next installment of our Investor Speaker Series, we’ll sit down with a Greentown startup founder and one of their investors as they talk about their experiences working together before, during, and after an equity investment was made in the company. Attendees will get a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most important relationships in a startup’s journey and what best practices both founders and investors can follow to keep things moving smoothly.
Then we’ll enjoy an end-of-year happy hour celebrating what the Houston energy innovation ecosystem has done together in 2023 and raise a toast—from the event’s spiked hot chocolate bar (while supplies last)—to an impactful year of climate action ahead!
We are excited to host our last happy hour of 2023 powered by Activate! Activate will be launching its first cohort here in Houston in 2024. The Activate Anywhere fellows are in town this week and will be joining us at this event, so let’s show them what an amazing community we have here in Houston!
Founded in 2015, Activate empowers scientists to reinvent the world by launching startups to address climate change and other global challenges. Working between government, philanthropy, universities, and the private sector, Activate transforms scientists into high-impact entrepreneurs through the Activate Fellowship, a two-year immersive experience that equips science entrepreneurs with the skills, networks, infrastructure, and funding they need to quickly and effectively bring their groundbreaking research to market. Activate is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and does not charge any fee nor equity for fellows to participate. Activate’s entrepreneurial fellowship model originated at Cyclotron Road, the first U.S. Department of Energy’s Lab Embedded Entrepreneurship Program (LEEP) started at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the founding Activate partner. Activate supports fellows in communities across the U.S.: Activate Berkeley, Activate Boston, Activate New York, Activate Houston, and Activate Anywhere.
Questions? Reach out to Greentown Labs’ Events Coordinator, Iren Wang (iwang@greentownlabs.com).

Ion Prototyping Lab Office Hours
2023-12-05 13:00 - 17:00, 2023-12-01 10:00 - 14:00, 2023-11-28 13:00 - 17:00, 2023-11-21 13:00 - 17:00, 2023-11-17 10:00 - 14:00, 2023-11-14 13:00 - 17:00, 2023-11-10 10:00 - 14:00 | Ion Prototyping Lab, 4201 Main St., Suite 170, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
What is the Ion Prototyping Lab (IPL)?
The Ion Prototyping Lab is where your ideas meet the designers, engineers, and fabricators that can make them a reality. Located at The Ion, the intersection of Houston’s culture, creativity, and innovation. Our 6500 sq. ft. site offers access to equipment, engineers, and technical training–a must for every inventor, innovator, and creator.
The Ion Prototyping Lab Office Hours offer entrepreneurs a chance to engage an expert one-on-one and explore options for building or producing their devices. Everyone from seasoned entrepreneurs to educators or “just a person with an idea” is welcome. Walk-ins are served on a first-come, first-served basis.
The initial discussion is at no cost, but subsequent meetings may require a consultation fee.
For more information about IPL – be sure to check out their website and sign up for their newsletter to stay connected! IPL offers various classes/workshops throughout the month – be sure to check out their calendar to register.
Interested in signing up for a membership? Click here

Pumps & Pipes Annual Event 2023 - Problem XChange: Where Solutions Converge
2023-12-04 08:00 - 17:00 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
The Pumps & Pipes Annual Event is Houston’s premier innovation gathering bringing together cross-industry leaders for engaging discussions and top-tier networking opportunities. Reserve your seat now so you don’t miss out!

Houston Robotics Group at Ion Prototyping Lab
2023-12-02 14:00 - 17:00, 2023-11-11 14:00 - 17:00 | Ion Prototyping Lab, 4201 Main St., Suite 170, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Innovate, Collaborate, and Learn: Weekly Meetings at Ion Prototyping Lab!
Join the Houston Robotics Group for an exciting exploration of a diverse range of projects! Whether you’re interested in software development, AI/Deep Learning, electronics, mechanics, drones, or automation, our group offers a welcoming and supportive community to pursue your passions.
Should you require assistance with your projects, fear not! The Houston Robotics Group is composed of highly skilled experts in various domains, including Arduino, Raspberry Pi, motor controls, 3D printing & design, coding, electronics, board assembly, and debugging.
Additionally, we’re well-versed in Jetson Nano, Deep Learning, and various cutting-edge technologies. Our passion for robotics and related fields drives us to continuously push boundaries and explore new possibilities together.
Join the Houston Robotics Group today and immerse yourself in a community of like-minded individuals dedicated to the world of robotics and beyond!

Aramco Ventures Office Hours at the Ion
2023-12-01 10:30 - 12:00, 2023-11-17 10:30 - 12:00 | Ion – Lower Level, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Representatives from Aramco North America’s corporate venturing arm, Aramco Ventures, will be onsite at the Ion every other Friday right after “Cup of Joey” from 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM to meet with startups and and entrepreneurs interested in discussing their company or technology with Aramco’s investment team.
Aramco is a world-leading integrated energy and chemicals company. The mission of their strategic venturing program is to invest globally into start-up and high-growth companies with technologies of strategic importance to Aramco, and to accelerate their development and deployment across Aramco’s operations.
Prior to registering, you are encouraged to read more about Aramco Ventures’ investment philosophy and portfolio companies here: https://aramcoventures.com/
Please note that space is limited, and meetings are allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis. Should you have any questions, please email Ragen Doyle, Corporate Engagement Officer, at rdoyle@ionhouston.com.

Houston Methodist Tech Hub Office Hours
2023-12-01 10:00 - 12:00, 2023-11-17 10:00 - 12:00 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Houston Methodist Tech Hub at Ion will host a series of Office Hours through the end of 2023. Interested in meeting the team and sharing your ideas? Fill out our sign-up form in order to be added to our email list, where we will share upcoming events, office hours registration, and our e-newsletter.
Remaining 2023 Office Hours:

Oct 27th, 10am-12pm
Nov 3rd, 10am-12pm
Nov 17th, 10am-12pm
Dec 1st, 10am-12pm
Dec 15th, 10am-12pm

Ion Office Hours
2023-12-01 10:00 - 11:30 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
How can Office Hours at the Ion help you?
Office Hours at the Ion introduce people to the Ion, our events, resources, and programs that support the entrepreneurial journey. For example, maybe you have a draft business plan and need a mentor. Or, maybe you are considering starting a business and need initial marketing advice to develop a brand.
Ion office hours are held in collaboration with the SBA and its community resource partners, who will be available to help founders, entrepreneurs and small business owners execute their business ideas.
The Small Business Administration, UH Small Business Development Center, and LiftFund will be on-site the second Fridays of each month. Ion and SCORE will have a table on-site each Friday. All meetings are subject to the availability of a representative.
Ion Office hours occur immediately after our Cup of Joey networking event in the lobby.

Cup of Joey
2023-12-01 08:30 - 10:30, 2023-11-17 08:30 - 10:30, 2023-11-10 08:30 - 10:30 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 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.

Sewing 201 at Ion Prototyping Lab
2023-11-17 10:00 - 12:30 | Ion Prototyping Lab, 4201 Main St., Suite 170, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Join us at the Ion Prototyping Lab for Sewing 201: Mending & Alterations
Ion Prototyping Lab has partnered with HTX Sewn Goods to bring you a 2.5-hour workshop where you can dive deeper into the art of sewing with a focus on mending and alterations. This interactive session will cover essential skills to mend, repair, revitalize, and upcycle your favorite garments, allowing a sustainable and stylish wardrobe. Bring a piece of clothing that needs mending or alteration and by the end of the Sewing 201 workshop, not only will you have gained hands-on experience, but you’ll also have repaired and revitalized a unique, one-of-a-kind creation.
Whether you’ve attended our Sewing 101 workshop or have little home sewing experience, this class is designed to help you become more proficient and confident in sewing. Join us for a fun and eco-friendly journey, turning your wardrobe into a canvas for your creativity while learning home sewing, reducing waste, and paving the way for countless future soft goods projects.
Take advantage of this exciting opportunity to learn a new skill and meet other sewing enthusiasts in your community. Register now to reserve your spot!

Ion Office Hours
2023-11-17 10:00 - 11:30, 2023-11-10 10:00 - 11:30 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
How can our Office Hours at the Ion help you?
Office Hours at the Ion aims to support people coming to the Ion who are seeking their next step in taking their idea to an enterprise by creating pathways to the next steps toward success for entrepreneurs and small business owners. For example, maybe you have a draft business plan and need a mentor. Perhaps you are a small business and need funding. Or, maybe you are considering starting a business and need initial marketing support to develop a brand. That is where we can help!
Office Hours at the Ion exist to introduce people to the Ion and our events, resources, and programs that support the entrepreneurial journey.
This event is in collaboration with SCORE and SBA, who will be available to help entrepreneurs and small business owners execute their business idea. The Small Business Administration will be on-site the second Friday of the month. SCORE will have a table on-site each Friday.
Our office hours will occur immediately after our Cup of Joey networking event in the Lobby.

Agility at Scale (P. 2)
2023-11-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Ion – Classroom 029-031, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Global Custom Commerce (GCC), a Home Depot company, in collaboration with Ion, is thrilled to present a new, educational event series, “Agility at Scale,” designed to equip startups and corporates alike with the knowledge and strategies to thrive in today’s dynamic market. In this four-part series, industry experts from GCC, a trailblazing tech company formerly known as Blinds.com, will guide you through the dynamic landscape of innovation mindsets, the art of recruiting for a culture of excellence, strategies for scaling effectively, and the best practices for achieving agility at scale.
Discover new insights, gain actionable strategies, and connect with like-minded professionals who are passionate about fostering innovation and growth. Whether you’re a startup looking to establish a strong foundation or an established corporation seeking to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing business environment, “Agility at Scale,” is for you.
Series topics and dates include:
October 27, 2023 – Agile Mindset and Culture: Embark on a transformative journey into the world of agility at scale with this introductory session. Gain a foundational understanding of the principles and concepts that will set the stage for a dynamic series, and then dive deep into cultivating an agile mindset across your organizations, from recruitment to metrics. Learn why burns up trump Gantt charts and explore the power of BUM.
November 17, 2023 – Fireteams: Uncover the history and principles of these high-performing teams with discussions on passing down autonomy while maintaining responsibility. Learn why there is no “chief architect,” and why the product manager (PM) ≠ CEO of a product.
January 05, 2024 – Scaling Up: Navigate the complexities of scaling, from managing budgets and deadlines to defining clear boundaries for stories, epics, and projects.
February 09, 2024 – Common Mistakes and Lessons Learned: Benefit from GCC’s agile journey by examining their mistakes and lessons learned. Gain valuable insights to avoid common pitfalls in your own agile transformation.
For more information about the series, email Ragen Doyle, Corporate Engagement Officer, at rdoyle@ionhouston.com.

Houston Startup Showcase
2023-11-15 15:00 - 19:00 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Join us at Houston Startup Showcase where you will explore the companies and organizations that are leading the way to the future in Houston. Starting with an ecosystem expo from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM, get to know startups, investors, corporations, and startup development organizations who can help you achieve your goals in our region. Then find a seat on the forum stairs from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM for a pitch competition between seed stage companies who are ready to scale! The winning pitch will be a combination of the judge’s decision and a fan vote.
But that’s not all. We’re jazzing up the night with a live podcast recording of “Forging the Future with Chris Howard” – it’s going to be epic.
Ecosystem Expo:
Forging the Future w/ Chris Howard
Startup Development Organizations

Capital Factory
Rice Alliance
Impact Hub
Greentown Labs
Bayou City Startups
The Common Desk
Softeq Venture Studio

Startups, Scale-ups, Unicorns

Unytag
Nanotech
Geolumina
Anyshift
Mendit
Teknobuilt
Blue People
Jetquest
Alert Tech SMT

Investors

Houston Angel Network
Golden Section
Softeq Venture Fund

Pitch Competition:

5 Minute Pitch and Slide Presentation
Judge Feedback

Pitch Competition Companies:

Tierra Climate
WellWorth
MRG Health
BeOne Sports
Trez
Mallard Bay

Pitch Competition Judges:

Mitra Miller – Houston Angel Network
Brent Kelton – Moneta Ventures
Andrew Nicholson – Goose Capital
Juliet Lawrence – Gaingles

Perfecting Your Pitch
2023-11-14 17:30 - 19:00 | Ion – Classroom 029, 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.

International Workshop on AI-Powered Space
2023-11-13 09:00 - 2023-11-14 17:30 | Ion – Forum Stairs, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
AI Houston Institute of Rice University, in collaboration with NASA, is gathering experts from industry and academia who are working on the application of Artificial Intelligence in solving some of the most complex challenges facing the Space industry from multiple dimensions, starting with the design, operation, and maintenance of reusable spacecraft, to the impact of long-tenure space journey on the health of astronauts, the impact of microgravity on scientific experiments, and the impact of satellites on communication, defense, weather forecast and sustainability. This program will be a 2-day workshop covering the latest advances in AI – theory and practice and their applicability in CORE Space (covering the Spacecraft, ORION, Mars Rover, Moon Base, Space habitat, and other space-travel related areas) and Extended Space (covering the use of satellites for various applications, such as Communications, Defense, Climate Prediction, Sustainability, etc.). There are several well-renowned speakers and panelists lined up from NASA, startups, industry, and academia. This workshop is intended for a gathering of technology and business leaders from the Space Industry and the startup community.
Full schedule for both days is located here.

Ion Family Stem+ Day
2023-11-11 10:00 - 13:00 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Join Ion and SUPERGirls SHINE Foundation for a hands-on learning experience about computer science, coding, and entrepreneurship and gain insight into the professional skills and concepts needed to excel in a technology career. Students and their families will learn from entrepreneurs and technology professionals how to code utilizing an Arduino kit and discover how to translate their technology expertise into a company that solves everyday problems!
*Please bring a laptop with you if possible. We will be utilizing Arduino IDE for this workshop.
This event will be tailored for 12 -18 year olds and their families for a fun STEM+ experience! We look forward to building and learning with your family!

Student Innovation Social
2023-11-10 17:30 - 19:00 | Ion – Academic Flex Space, 4201 Main St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
The Ion Student Ambassadors are excited to introduce the Student Innovation Social — an event designed for forward-thinking students like you.
What to Expect?

An interactive space where students across disciplines can connect and share ideas.
Opportunities to network with peers, fostering collaborations and fresh perspectives.

Don’t miss out on this chance to expand your network and engage in meaningful discussions.
This event is ideal for college students in business adjacent majors.
Join us and be a part of a growing community of innovators!

Sewing 101 at Ion Prototyping Lab
2023-11-10 10:00 - 12:30 | Ion Prototyping Lab, 4201 Main St., Suite 170, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Join us at the Ion Prototyping Lab for Sewing 101, where you’ll learn the basics of sewing in an interactive workshop.
Ion Prototyping Lab has partnered with HTX Sewn Goods to bring you a 2.5-hour workshop where you’ll be introduced to the world of home sewing using a Singer sewing machine. This interactive session will cover essential topics such as threading, bobbin maintenance, and mastering the art of sewing straight and curved lines.
By the end of the Sewing 101 workshop, not only will you have gained hands-on experience, but you’ll also have your very own handcrafted bread basket to take home. Get ready to be inspired and unlock your creativity as you discover the joy of sewing, paving the way for countless future soft goods projects.
Take advantage of this exciting opportunity to learn a new skill and meet other sewing enthusiasts in your community. Register now to reserve your spot!
