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.

24.9 percent

Part of local digital tech firms that focus on information technology

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16.9 percent

Part of Houston's digital tech firms that specialize in health care

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Houston is home to 21 Forbes Global 2000 headquarters

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.

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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.

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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

Human Resources and Talent Event

Rise to the Top

3/6/20

Join the Partnership for the 9th annual Rise to the Top event, celebrating International Womenâs Day. Limited seats are available. Contact Casey Schrade at cschrade@houston.org for more information. Hosted by the Partnershipâs Womenâs Business Alliance (WBA), Rise to the Top features a keynote address from Gretchen Watkins, President, Shell Oil Company and Executive Vice President, Global Unconventionals, Shell Oil Company, and candid conversationsÂ from a panel of female executives discussing the challenges and triumphs of succeeding as a woman in todayâs business environment.Â Panelists Include: Leslie Duke, President, Burns & McDonnell, Inc.Â Carol Hess, Vice President, Workstations Product Management, HP Inc. Gaby Rowe, Executive Director, The Ion International Women's Day is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing and protecting a woman's constitutional right to vote. We encourage you to wear purple in honor of International Women's Day. We hope you'll make Rise to the Top your destination to celebrate the women on your team, including women's employee resource groups, office administration and top volunteers.Â Demonstrate your companyâs commitment to supporting womenâs initiatives in the workplace by becoming a sponsor. For a recap of 2019's Rise to the Top, click here. To see photos from 2019's event, click here. Connect with us online using #GHPRise and #IWD2020. WBA provides professional development resources to empower high-performing women to advance their career opportunities, form strategic partnerships and build a network of advocates. Learn more about joining WBA.

Public Policy

State of the Senate

7/8/20

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.

Digital Technology

Innovation Council

3/10/20

For Houston to continue moving forward as a great global city, we must further the innovation eco-system in order to attract tech and start-up companies. This councilÂ examines how the greater Houston region can attract high-tech companies and talent and develop physical and financial infrastructure needed to foster a thriving innovative community.Â Topic: Self-driving cars and autonomous vehiclesÂ Speaker:Â Aidan Sullivan, Regional Lead, Public Policy & Government Relations, Nuro Due to limited capacity, registration for Council luncheons is required. Registration will close at 12:00 p.m. the Monday before the Council. Partnership Councils are complimentary and open to all member company employees. Have questions about your membership?Â Join us at the Connection Zone to learn how to get the most out of your membership starting at 11:00 a.m. until the Council begins and resuming immediately following the Council.

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