Houston House returned to Austin for the South by Southwest Conference for its third year, bringing a new group of panelists and industry experts together to deliver a full day of thought-provoking content for over 750 attendees. Houston-based industry leaders and innovators discussed the startup journey, how they’re challenging the status quo in their respective industries to improve products or services, and more. If you were unable to join the Partnership at SXSW, check out our recap of the conversations below.    Demystifying the Startup Journey  Houston House kicked off its day of programming by dispelling the mystique surrounding the startup journey and answering questions about hiring, funding, and finding the right product-market fit. Panelists discussed in-depth how to find and attract the right talent, including cost-effective strategies and solutions for cash-strapped founders, and what they wished they had done differently during their various rounds of funding.  Panelists:  Ted Gutierrez, Co-Founder and CEO, SecurityGate.io  Gaurav Khandelwal, Founder and CEO, Velostics  Simone May, Co-Founder and CTO, Clutch  Moderator: Natalie Harms, Editor, Innovation Map    The Future is Female: Triumphs of Women in Tech  It’s no secret that female founders face a unique set of challenges compared to their male counterparts, especially when funding their next business venture. The panel discussed funding challenges, how they challenge stereotypes in male-dominated industries, and overcoming the feelings of guilt and inadequacy that plague women in business.  “The insecurity women feel that ‘we're not good enough' needs to go. Men don't experience that.” - Lydia Davies, Founder & CEO of TEAMATES  Panelists:  Lydia Davies, Founder and CEO, TEAMATES  Taci Pereira, CEO, Systemic Bio  Janice Tran, Co-Founder and CEO, Kanin Energy  Moderator: Carrie Colbert, Founding and General Partner, Curate Capital    Building a Tech Unicorn  Every tech startup hopes to become the next unicorn, but not everyone makes the cut. Featuring an in-depth conversation with Solugen’s co-founder and CEO, Gaurab Chakrabarti, the panel covered his background growing up in Houston, the surprising marketing campaign that put Solugen on the map, and the journey leading to it becoming a tech unicorn.  Gaurab Chakrabarti, Co-Founder and CEO, Solugen  Moderator: Payal Patel, Principal, Softeq Ventures and Director, Softeq Venture Studio    Click to expand People packed the room at Houston House to hear from Solugen CEO Gaurab Chakrabarti.   Unlocking the Power of AI: Insights & Innovations  Technology and innovation converged in this panel discussing recent developments in artificial intelligence and what the future of business will look like as it becomes more widespread and advanced, including the policies and legislation that may become necessary as AI becomes more intelligent. From song lyrics written in the style of Taylor Swift to how the health care industry is utilizing this technology to better serve its patients, it is clear that we are just beginning to scratch the surface of AI’s capabilities.  “The Ion [in Houston] is going to bring innovation, elevate clean tech energy, and push health care to the next level. That’s why we want to be involved and that’s why you should too.” - Murat Uralkan, Director of Innovation at Houston Methodist Panelists:  Sidd Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO, Nesh  Rob Meadows, Founder and CEO, AI Foundation  Murat Uralkan, Director of Innovation, Houston Methodist  Moderator: Dave Mathews, Principal Venture Capitalist and CTO Advisor, Softeq    Connecting Industries, Empowering Innovation  Ever wondered what it looks like when the brightest minds in different industries come together? The nexus of innovation and collaboration across industries in Houston took center stage in this discussion of how industry leaders can continue to break down traditional barriers and create advancements in everything from biotech to the energy transition.  Panelists:  Barbara Belvisi, Founder and CEO, Interstellar Lab  Moji Karimi, Co-Founder and CEO, Cemvita Factory  Nic Radford, Founder, President, and CEO, Nauticus Robotics  Moderator: Brad Rossacci, Creative Director, Accenture  The Houston House program at SXSW 2023 will be available to stream on-demand soon.  Learn more about Houston’s innovation ecosystem. 

As the Houston region experiences an increased interest in transit-oriented development, the Metropolitan Transit Authority is eyeing new opportunities in that arena.  In December, Metro's Board of Directors unanimously approved an updated policy that guides how it will advance joint development and transit-oriented development (TOD) initiatives. Transit-oriented design creates high-density development that features workforce or affordable housing, employment, shops, restaurants and more within walking distance of a transit station. The goal is to reduce travel time, congestion and emissions on local roadways and stimulate economic activity tied to transit.   Metro will be using a $370,000 grant from the Federal Transit Administration to explore TOD opportunities at the Tidwell Transit Center, which is where the proposed METRORapid University Corridor would come to an end. The 25-mile bus rapid transit line would begin at the Westchase Park & Ride and would pass through Houston Community College, Texas Southern University, University of Houston and University of St. Thomas.   According to Metro’s updated policy, the agency could choose to develop Metro-owned properties, facilitate development around Metro service stations, or pursue joint development opportunities on property Metro doesn’t own. The development could be done through both public and private partnerships. The policy also incorporates measures to obtain public input and educate communities as projects develop.  The agency says these types of developments result “in stronger transit connections for underserved communities to jobs, education, healthcare, and other essential services without the displacement resulting from gentrification typically associated with traditional TOD.”  Metro has examined TOD opportunities since it released its 2015 study identifying how it could use specific park and ride locations, but the vision is now picking up steam as developers and the region aim to build more high-density communities.   Metro Chair Sanjay Ramabhadran told the Houston Chronicle last year that the agency’s vision “is about bringing quality of life to areas adjacent to transit centers, to park and rides.”  Metro could join other transit agencies, like the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and Capital METRO in Austin, that have developed TOD communities for years and are now also exploring new joint development agreements to expand housing options.  Learn more about Houston’s neighborhoods.