Houston has become the hub for startups and companies looking to scale innovative technologies that are transforming the energy industry and advancing a sustainable, low-carbon future. This month, the inaugural Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week 2024 successfully highlighted this mission.   Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, Halliburton Labs, Greentown Labs, Digital Wildcatters launched the inaugural startup week in collaboration with the Partnership’s Houston Energy Transition Initiative. The week brought together leading energy and climate venture capital investors, industry leaders, and startups from around the world.   Over 30 events took place from September 9-13, featuring more than 100 speakers and 125 startups. Attendance numbers came in at over 1,400 people across the week’s anchor events, and additional events were individually organized by organizations and startups in Houston’s ecosystem.   “By hosting the Houston Energy & Climate Startup Week, we're not just showcasing our city's strengths - we're actively shaping its future. This event is a critical catalyst for fostering collaboration, investment and talent development within the burgeoning energy and climate tech ecosystem. This week is about demonstrating our commitment to that future and inspiring the next generation of energy innovators,” said Janice Tran, Kanin Energy CEO & Co-Founder Click to expand Janice Tran, Kanin Energy The Kickoff event, sponsored by Repsol, Microsoft and BBVA, hosted fireside chats by several of Houston’s leading startups, including Solugen, Cemvita, Kanin Energy and Syzygy.   “Houston is at the forefront of not just energy innovation, but industrial innovation more broadly. With the momentum that's built over the last few years, it's the perfect time to showcase our progress and drive further advancements in climate solutions.” – Gaurab Chakrabarti, Solugen CEO and Co-Founder  Click to expand Jane Stricker, HETI and Gaurab Chakrabarti, Solugen Houston is home to more than 65 incubators and accelerators and over 260 cleantech and climate tech startups. The region continues to build momentum and is focused on attracting investment for this growing sector, seeing a 577 percent growth since 2019. According to Partnership data, there has been over $1.95 Billion and 175 deals with cleantech and climate tech startups.  "Houston is uniquely positioned to tackle the greatest challenge of our time - producing more energy with fewer emissions. This city is where energy innovation scales and opportunity thrives. As a natural hub for startups and investors, Houston brought this to life during Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week. Years in the making, this event was launched to answer the question: Can the whole be greater than the sum of its parts? This past week proved it can. We look forward to continue building on this successful week.” said  Jane Stricker,  Senior Vice President, Greater Houston Partnership and Executive Director, Houston Energy Transition Initiative. Learn more about how Houston is leading the energy transition to a low-carbon future.

Virginia-based TMEIC Corporation Americas has announced it will relocate its headquarters to Houston, with plans to build a solar manufacturing facility near Katy.   The company, a subsidiary of Japan’s TMEIC Corporation, will move to Houston’s Energy Corridor in March 2025, while maintaining an office in Roanoke, Virginia. TMEIC will also launch a state-of-the-art photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing facility in Brookshire. The 144,000-square-foot facility, expected to open in October, will be located near its existing power supply and medium voltage drive manufacturing plant in Katy. Initially, the facility will have the capacity to produce 9 GW annually, with potential for future expansion. The facility is projected to create up to 300 jobs.   "We are excited to make these investments for an expanded presence in the Houston area with the relocation of our headquarters and the opening of our new manufacturing facility,” said Manmeet S. Bhatia, President and CEO of TMEIC Corporation Americas, in a statement. “This strategic expansion underscores TMEIC's dedication to the renewable energy industry, advancing clean energy technology, maintaining strong client relationships, and competing on a global basis while proudly manufacturing in the United States.”    The Greater Houston Partnership played a pivotal role in attracting TMEIC to the region, working actively to bring solar energy companies to Houston.    This announcement underscores Houston's growing prominence as a leader in solar energy. According to the Clean Investment Monitor, Texas attracted over $12 billion in solar investments in 2023. As a pivotal player in the global energy transition, Houston has been at the forefront of this growth, establishing itself as a prime destination for solar manufacturing companies seeking expansion.  For instance, Renewable Parts, a company specializing in wind turbine supply chain and refurbishment, chose Humble for its new parts recirculation workshop. Similarly, international companies Triveni Turbines and Imperial Star Solar have also unveiled plans for new solar manufacturing facilities in the Houston area.  Learn more about Houston’s leadership in solar energy.