Innovation | Greater Houston Partnership

Innovation

Houston is where innovation and industry converge. Ours is a city that chooses to take humankind's boldest challenges head-on, from landing on the moon to developing the first artificial heart. And Houston's innovation ecosystem continues to thrive through programs like TMC Innovation Institute at the Texas Medical Center and spaces like the emerging South Main Innovation District.

21

Houston is home to 21 Forbes Global 2000 headquarters

24.9 percent

Part of local digital tech firms that focus on information technology

24.9 percent

Part of local digital tech firms that focus on information technology

The Innovation District

Rice University is currently developing a new innovation district in Midtown. Housed on a 9.4-acre site anchored by a former Sears building, the hub will bring the area's entrepreneurial, corporate and academic communities together. The nucleus of the district will be The Ion, a 270,000-square-foot structure that will serve as a collaborative space serving businesses at all stages of innovation lifecycle. A number of groups including the nonprofit Houston Exponential will take up residence in the development once it's complete.

Houston Exponential

Houston Exponential is a dynamic organization that serves, organizes, champions and grows the region’s innovation ecosystem. HX is accelerating the development of Houston’s innovation economy, fostering a robust ecosystem that supports high-growth, high-impact startups. HX was created by the Greater Houston Partnership’s Innovation Round Table, Mayor Turner’s Innovation and Technology Task Force, and the Houston Technology Center. By convening the ecosystem, helping to build an innovation district in Houston, attracting talent to the region and promoting Houston’s image, both locally and nationally, as a vibrant, innovative economy where startups thrive, we will bolster Houston’s innovation ecosystem and drive the region to become a top 10 startup ecosystem.

Cannon Ventures Houston Angel Network (HAN) Houston Exponential Mercury Fund NASA Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship Station Houston Technology Collaboration Center TechSpace Texas HALO Fund The Cannon TMC Innovation Institute UH Technology Transfer & Innovation WeWork Headquarters HTX The City of Houston GOOSE Society of Texas RED Labs

Meet Us at an Upcoming Event

Economic Development Event

State of Houston's Global Economy

Join the Greater Houston Partnership at the State of Houston's Global Economy luncheonÂ on Wednesday, May 27. As part of the Greater Houston Partnership's Economy Series, the State of Houston's Global Economy will provide an analysis of the impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), downturns in financial markets and decline of the price of oil on global and local markets. Patrick Jankowski, Senior Vice President of Research for the Partnership, will deliver his annual Global Economy report and former U.S. Secretary of Commerce and Chair of Albright Stonebridge Group, Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, will deliver a keynote address.Â Individual tickets and tables of ten prices will increase on May 1.

State of the Senate

Save the date for the Greater Houston Partnership's annual State of the Senate luncheon featuring U.S. Senator John Cornyn, who will address issues important to the greater Houston region and our nation. Â Â Senator Cornyn, a San Antonio native, has served as the senior United States Senator for Texas since 2002. Cornyn currently serves on the Senate's Judiciary, Finance, and Intelligence Committees. Senator Cornyn was previously the Republican Senate Majority Whip for the 114th and 115th Congresses.

Economic Development

State of the City

Join us for our annual State of the City luncheon featuring City of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner on Friday, May 8. In his fifth address with the Partnership, Mayor Turner will review Houston's progress over the past year and outline priorities for the year ahead.Â As an attendee, you'll an opportunity to network with fellow Houstonians who are dedicated to the future growth and vitality of our city.Individual tickets and tables of ten prices will increase after April 8th.

Additional Resources

See below for additional resources in Innovation.

Startup Genome Report

This report analyzes startup ecosystems worldwide.

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