Ion Impact Report 2020-2023

When we broke ground in 2019, the promise of what the Ion could mean and bring to Houston (and beyond) existed only in our minds.

Four years later, the Ion - developed by Rice University - is a real, physical place for turning imagination and ideas into tangible realities, delivering a better way of life. I could not be more proud of our progress and the team that made it possible. The results are indisputable, from the visionary early leadership of the Rice Real Estate team led by Ryan LeVasseur to the ongoing programming. Ion stands as a beacon, evidenced by the numerous visits from international delegations and innovation districts, setting a precedent for others to follow.

From the outside, the Ion is a beautiful, sunlit structure of steel and glass. But inside - that’s where the magic happens. It’s brimming with energy and excitement, as 300 (and counting) companies and entrepreneurs come together, connect, and work to transform Houston, the world, and their own lives.

As the namesake of Houston’s innovation district, our vision and goals are lofty. But in a world facing a climate crisis, housing affordability challenges, and global health issues, they must be. The world needs solutions. Ion wants to provide them.

I am so grateful to our partners, startups, and entrepreneurs who have shared their knowledge and experience to help us create an inclusive

and welcoming space. I am grateful to Rice University for their investment as we double down on strengthening Houston’s economic resiliency and creating opportunities for all.

Ion launched its in-person programming and welcomed the community through its doors at the beginning of 2022, after being virtual for two years during the peak of COVID-19 and the completion of the building reimagination. And while the way we work has certainly changed, what’s clear to me now more than ever is that people want to be a part of an innovative, creative, and collaborative community. I am excited to share our progress with you in our first Impact Report that covers the time from when we launched through December 2023.

It is with the knowledge that we have built a solid foundation I feel confident turning over the reins to Rice University’s Office of Innovation and Rice Alliance. We set out to create a place where Houstonians would feel at home, and I am confident Rice will continue elevating Houston from the Ion.

Ion is not just a building, but a destination, or as we at the Ion say: “Every better way needs a place to begin. Start here!”

JAN E. ODEGARD Executive Director, Ion

BY THE NUMBERS 20' - 23'

$25M cumulative venture funding and grant support for 2022-2023

300+ companies, small businesses + organization call Ion home as of Dec 31, 2023 2,500+ visitors per month

Ion Prototyping Lab

Ion Programming

WHAT IS ION?

Houston has long been an entrepreneurial haven.

It starts at the Ion: Where ideas go to grow.

As a major metropolis, we hunger for the kind of cross-pollinating, momentum-building magic that transpires from a meaningful concentration of brains and businesses in one area. As a prosperous micro-region similar to Boston’s Seaport, Atlanta’s Tech Square, or St. Louis Cortex Innovation Community, Ion District transforms a pocket of activity into a powerful culture. A culture that inspires people to come together to build things, solve problems, and test ideas that improve how we move, work, play, care, and learn.

Located at 4201 Main St. in the heart of Ion District, the Ion building is the namesake centerpiece of Houston’s innovation corridor. Anchoring a district wide vision that is backed by Rice University, Ion District will advance and sustain Houston’s economic resilience and deliver a better quality of life for each other.

The beautifully revived building—once home to the iconic Sears showroom, itself a modern marvel in 1939—is today a sunlit structure of steel and glass. Ion brings Houston’s entrepreneurial, corporate, and academic communities into collaborative spaces and programs, turning imagination and ideas into tangible realities.

From Fortune 500s seeking flexible office space to first-time startups looking for funding to build a prototype, the Ion invites individuals and teams of all kinds to a place where they can break with convention, break into the tech scene, or simply break up their day with a coffee and easy atmosphere. Anyone is welcome at any time.

“At the Ion, I am deeply inspired by the myriad of entrepreneurs and their diverse success stories. Each narrative is a testament to innovation, resilience, and the power of a strong vision. The Ion, through its vibrant community, continuously fuels this inspiration, reminding us of the limitless possibilities in the world of entrepreneurship.”

NANCY ZAKHOUR Chief Commercial Officer, CES Renewable Services

↑ Ion Plaza During Activation Festival

↑ Houston’s HQ for Innovation

WHAT IS ION DISTRICT?

An invitation to build the world we want to see.

Houston’s new innovation district takes our city’s talent and sprawl and connects it all, harnessing Houston’s potential to emerge and endure as a tech hub, a thought leader, a cultural core, and a global economic force. Twelve city blocks built over time to encourage serendipitous collisions across all sectors and skill levels, and promote equitable businesses, products, and jobs in our image: ones that reflect our city’s diversity of ethnicities and enduring individualism, our big-hearted tenacity and wildcatting audacity, our gumption and resilience come hell or high water.

Vision:

Where we want to be

Cultivating a transformative culture of people, places, ideas, and experiences that build the world we want to see, creating a better quality of life for all of Houston.

Mission: How we get there

Bring Houston’s entrepreneurial, corporate, and academic communities into collaborative spaces and programs where ideas go to grow.

Values: Our guiding themes

→ Creation

A mixed-use place where ideas and capital meet

→ Connection

At the center of Houston’s Innovation Corridor, linking people and creating pathways for the future workforce

→ Dedication

An enduring, tangible financial commitment by Rice University and its partners to the future

→ Production

A job-generating neighborhood fueled by innovative, sustainable technologies, and an entrepreneurial drive

→ Immersion

A vibrant urban environment, engaging people with each other, the city, nature, the arts, food, science, and technology

→ Inclusion

The space for all people and perspectives to work together for a better future

Our Goals: Connecting your What-ifs with What now?

Goal 1

Strengthen Houston’s economic resiliency and competitiveness by investing in the region’s geographic center.

Goal 2

Attract and retain innovative talent, companies, and institutions in central Houston.

Goal 3

Foster an inclusive and welcoming neighborhood that offers economic opportunity to all Houstonians and produces long-term value.

Goal 4

Create a vibrant, connected, and timeless place that celebrates Houston’s communities and culture and is an authentic extension of the city’s character.

ION ECOSYSTEM

Since the Ion’s grand opening celebration in May 2022, during Activation Festival, the ecosystem has seen tremendous growth in all areas.

At the end of 2023, Ion was not only buzzing with events and programs, but with ideas, innovations, and a few partnerships from tenants that include: Chevron, Microsoft, Cognite, Carbon Clean, Openstax, Ara Partners, Redswan Cre, Eleox, Kongsberg Digital, Clean Energy Services, Artemis Energy Partners, SLB Innovation Factori, Liongard, Alpha Omega Power, bp Ventures, Exxonmobil, Energy Transition Ventures, Hx Venture Fund, and Houston Methodist to name a few, and the list keeps growing. It can happen in Houston

↑ Redswan CRE

AS OF DEC 31, 2023 :

370+ businesses from corporates to small startups and restaurants call Ion District home.

81% Ion tenants + Ion Common Desk members

19% members of Greentown Labs Houston

Expanding its reach and creating opportunities for founders, innovators and inventors, the Ion added the Houston Methodist Tech Hub to the list of ecosystem partners.

The Houston Methodist Tech Hub is a 1,200-square-foot space that includes simulated environments for an inpatient hospital room, an outpatient doctor’s clinic and patient home experience. The Tech Hub at the Ion is a “front door” and an invitation to connect that is modeled after the Center for Innovation Technology Hub located at Houston Methodist’s flagship location within the Texas Medical Center. The Hub provides a complete laboratory environment for clinical staff to evaluate innovations and pilot technology such as remote monitoring, ambient intelligence, and autonomous technology to improve human performance and the patient experience.

↑ Houston Methodist Tech Hub

ION ECOSYSTEM

There are many founders and startups that got their start at the Ion. However, here are a few that have made its mark not only at Ion, but are scaling in Houston and beyond.

→ MOONSHOT COMPOST

A startup that got a helpful boost from participating in the Ion’s Smart and Resilient Cities Accelerator in 2021. Since launching in Houston in 2020, Moonshot has collected over 6 million pounds of food waste and expanded to collecting in Austin, Dallas, and Waco. Moonshot proudly serves several tenants at the Ion, where nearly 600 pounds of food waste have already been diverted from the landfill. In the spirit of Houston’s commitment to leading the energy transition, Moonshot has also launched a food waste to energy initiative based on technology licensed from Purdue University. Moonshot Hydrogen expects to soon be extracting hydrogen and biofuels from the food waste stream.

→ BLUE PEOPLE

A fast-growing software development consulting services firm that is helping companies around the world simplify employee base needs. Achieved by offering certified professional software developers with the highest level of holistic approach and problem-solving skills. Blue People is the ideal innovation partner for companies with technology needs.

→ UNYTAG

As an Ion Smart and Resilient Cities Accelerator alumni and a startup that continues to call Ion home, Unytag has seen surmountable growth these past few years. The founder had a vision for a universal toll tag; a simpler, more seamless way to pay toll road fees across the United States. Driven by the challenge of not having the right tag, in the right vehicle, on the right toll road, Unytag has created a universal way of paying for any toll, anywhere, anytime, and it is not tied to the car but travels with you.

Through their consistent involvement at the Ion, Unytag was able to connect with the Harris County Toll Road Authority leadership at an event in 2022. In August 2023, their US Patent was issued, and today their RFID tag prototype is currently being road tested in Dallas.

$425,000

Unytag successfully raised and is currently working with 3 major toll agencies in Texas and Georgia

→ LIONGARD

Recognized as Houston’s fastest-growing year over-year B2B cybersecurity software startup, Liongard was among the first to acknowledge the benefits that Ion would offer its team when they chose to move their office to Common Desk - Ion in August 2022. Officing at the Ion has allowed Liongard to achieve several great business practices, including a hybrid work model that is seamless since employees are eager to come to a collaborative building. Liongard also finds the Ion’s atmosphere to be one that professionalized and impresses customers, board members, investors and recruits.

→ AIKYNETIX

AIKYNETIX is the first app that uses markerless 3D modeling and real-time video tracking of human motion on the treadmill. This app allows you to have access to your personal mobile running lab with advanced metrics and insight into your running form. AiKINETIX first pitched their technology at Ion’s Houston Startup Showcase in July 2022. Since then they have participated in Startup EXPOS and have been a frequent user of Ion’s gym, where it has hosted numerous demonstrations that have allowed them to significantly advance their motion tracking technology.

↑ Moonshot Compost

↑ Blue People

Unytag

PROGRAMMING PARTNERS

DivInc’s mission is to generate social and economic equity through entrepreneurship. They envision a world where social and economic disparities no longer exist. DivInc has hosted 5 accelerator cohorts with 44 startups since it launched in Houston at the Ion. This included the following thematic cohorts: General Tech, Sports Tech, Women in Tech, Clean Energy, and Social Impact.

After each cohort, DivInc hosted a Demo Day at the Ion highlighting the companies who participated in their 12-week program. Each Demo Day drew more than 120 attendees viewing the event in-person and/or virtually.

For the Clean Energy cohort, partners from Chevron spoke on the impact and importance of this program and supporting founders of color in this space. The founders were able to meet with over 18 investors while in the program, forming long-term relationships for future investment opportunities. After the program, several founders secured pilot opportunities with Houston companies and are in the beginning stages of conversation for seed funding.

Ion has chosen to engage with a small number of best in class strategic partners to work as an extension of the Ion Team to bring resources to the innovation ecosystem. Strategic partners were selected to support and build the Ion as an accessible innovation-filled destination, offering programming that physically connects communities inside and outside of the Ion. In doing so, this positions the Ion as the center of Houston’s innovation ecosystem.

The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship (Rice Alliance) is Rice University’s nationally-recognized initiative devoted to the support of technology commercialization, entrepreneurship education and the launch of startups and tech companies. Their mission enables the creation and success of startups and the commercialization of new technologies in the Houston community and beyond.

SUPERGirls SHINE Foundation (SGSF) is an organization developing, building, and equipping underserved girls through STEM mentorship, internships, scholarships, and entrepreneurships to strengthen the workforce and career pipeline. To date, they have reached over 1,623 SUPERGirls, 89 female leaders in the industry, worked with 7 different school districts, 4 university/ college partners, and mentored 46 VIP Members. They had 12 graduating seniors in the class of 2020-2022.

Urban Capital Network (UCN) was established to make investing in venture capital opportunities available to everyone. Previously, only the wealthy and wellconnected had access to institutionallybacked high-growth investments. UCN’s team has experienced the frustration of being passed over in the venture investment world. Instead of discouraging them, it only fueled their passion to democratize access to high growth investment opportunities for a broader pool.

LSA Global is a 501(c)(3) social impact nonprofit creating, developing, inspiring, championing, and supporting the Latino tech ecosystem. LSA Global is proudly headquartered in Houston, Texas at the Ion. In 2023, LSA Global hosted its 2nd Annual Tejano Tech Summit Week at the Ion, in conjunction with Hispanic Heritage Month. The event, which lasted for five days, saw more than 300 attendees and over 100 speakers.

INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS

Norway

Oppstart Houston is a Norwegian graduate student internship program in partnership with Rice Alliance that takes place annually during the spring semester. During the tenure of the program, Norwegian students seek unpaid, full-time internships with startups (including Ion affiliated companies like Softeq (2022, 2023), WaterLens (2022), and Koda Health (2023)), emerging companies, and startup-interfacing institutions in Houston.

Switzerland

The government of Switzerland hosted an event to connect to the Houston Startup Ecosystem. They invited the public and those affiliated with the Ion to meet with representatives of the government to learn about expanding in Switzerland. Switzerland is regularly ranked as the most innovative nation in the world.

Sweden

The Swedish-America Chamber of Commerce in Houston hosted a sustainability event at the Ion, uniting Swedish and Texan industries which featured Sweden’s US Ambassador, Karin Olofsdotter.

UNIVERSITY CONNECTIONS

Ion Student Ambassadors work side-by-side with fellow students from institutions in the Ion Academic Network and members of the Ion team to create, strengthen, promote, and amplify the programs and amenities of Ion and Ion District.

Throughout the tenure of each cohort, Ion Student Ambassadors will develop a broad and deep understanding of the Ion, Ion District, its stakeholders, its partners, and its ambitious goals for Houston as a prophetic city and urban environment. Part of their tenure is creating a limited number of programs and events by students, for students to help highlight the opportunities the Ion represents to them.

To date, Ion has hosted: → 3 Ion Student Ambassador Cohorts

→ 67 Total Ambassadors

→ 15 various academic institutions

Ion Academic Network

“The biggest benefit [as an Ion Student Ambassador] is the Ion Prototyping Lab. I am finally accepted into a space where I can take what I learned from the classroom and be able to make something bigger than myself”.

Ion Student Ambassador & Computer Science Major at Houston Community College

IGOR LUCIC

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Your home for leaps. Bounds. And little by little.

Per Scholas

In July, national tech training nonprofit Per Scholas announced its expansion to Houston, joining Ion District. Through an innovation relationship with Ion, Per Scholas Houston offers its tuition-free technology skills training from its newest campus located at the Ion. In addition to Ion selecting and investing in Per Scholas as the District’s workforce development partner, Per Scholas Houston has received generous support from BlackRock and Comcast NBCUniversal.

The initial class offering for IT professionals garnered substantial interest, with over 1,400 applications submitted and only 20 seats available. The cohort began training in November 2023, with graduation planned for the end of February 2024. Upon graduation, this program will place its graduates into job opportunities that align with their skills, reinforcing skills learned in the classroom and offering a soft launch of their new career trajectories

Scan to learn more about our commitments to the community.

STARTUP/INVESTOR CONNECTIONS

In 2019, with support from Microsoft, Ion launched its first program, the Ion Smart and Resilient Cities Accelerator.

This accelerator provided startups tackling challenges associated with data and energy management, mobility, climate tech, access to community resources, with office hours, educational workshops, and mentorship, through support from the City of Houston, Microsoft, and grants from Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) and Economic Development

Ion’s most recent in-house program offerings for entrepreneurs and startups include:

→ How to Start a Startup

A quarterly workshop designed to help founders learn how to start their startup

→ Ion Investor Office Hours

An opportunity for founders to receive valuable one-on-one “ask-me-anything” meetings with investors

→ Ion Investor Studio Series

A large-scale event, with educational panels or speakers on the Forum Stairs that helped demystify investor theses and raising capital

→ Open Accelerator

+ Poptarts & Pitches

Subject-based workshops on everything from accounting, tax preparation, marketing and branding, to pitch preparation, intellectual property, data visualization, and app development, run by experts and mentors

Recognizing the value and interest for industryspecific groups to meet to build community, learn from subject matter experts through office hours and speakers, tackle challenges collectively, and showcase successes, the Ion launched its Mingle and Mentor Lounges program in 2023.

“I loved the way each [mingle] section was based on what your interests or needs are. I was able to meet in the creative space and also learned some great tips to move forward with fundraising for my music brand and business in the fundraising and financing section.”

DRIA THORNTON

14x RIAA Platinum, Grammy & Dove Nominated Composer/Vocalist

↑ Ion Smart and Resilient Cities Accelerator

↑ Mingle + Mentor Lounge

AWARDS, RECOGNITIONS & GRANTS

→ Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Grant

Ion secured a grant from the MBDA in 2020 totaling $2.8 million to date. Thanks to the MBDA funding, Ion forged partnerships with NASA and DivInc. Together through this grant, Ion and its partners have been able to achieve the following:

→ The partnership with NASA includes monthly series NASA Tech Talks, organized hackathons, and NASA’s expertise and resources to support MBEs in various domains, such as robotics, medicine, health support systems, and additive manufacturing.

→ DivInc, an Austin-based accelerator committed to rectifying social injustices, played a pivotal role in expanding its entrepreneurship program. DivInc aided in launching the Accelerator Hub, organized lectures, webinars, and panels, and expanded the MBE pipeline and mentor network, webinars, and panels, and expanded the MBE pipeline and mentor network.

→ Economic Development Administration (EDA) Grant

In the fall of 2020, Ion secured a three-year grant of $1.5 million from the EDA for a total investment of over $3.6 million when cost-share is included. This funding significantly bolstered Ion’s capacity to foster entrepreneurship and drive economic development across the Houston-Galveston region.

Thanks to this grant, Ion supported cohort-based accelerator programs at the Ion led by DivInc and Rice Alliance. The EDA grant was pivotal in that it enabled DivInc to expand its footprint from Austin into Houston, where it now operates an accelerator program with a specific focus on eliminating social and economic disparities. Through these strategic efforts, Ion continues to drive innovation, empower entrepreneurs, and create a positive economic impact in the region.

→ HBJ’s Landmark Award

Houston Business Journal celebrates the city’s top commercial real estate projects annually through their Landmark Awards. In 2022, Ion won Houston Business Journal’s Landmark Award for Community Impact with the repurposing of an old Sears Department Store into a 266,000 square foot mixed-use office building created to support Houston’s entrepreneurial community.

→ ULI Development of Distinction Award

The Urban Land Institute annually recognizes developments and open spaces that exemplify best practices in design, construction, economic viability, healthy places, marketing, and management. During the 2024 awards, Ion was awarded the Historical/Adaptive Reuse ULI Development of Distinction Award.

→ CoStar’s Development of the Year

In 2022, Ion won CoStar’s first ever Best New Commercial Development Award in Houston due to the building’s emphasis on adaptive reuse and focus on creating a hub for innovation for Houston and beyond.

→ MBDA Spotlight Award

In 2023, Ion and Rice University were honored with the Spotlight Recognition Award from Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) for outstanding efforts and contributions to advancing minority business development.

RICE UNIVERSITY’S DEDICATION

Backed by a century of stewardship

Ion supports the Rice University mission by cultivating a diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders across the spectrum of human endeavor.

Rice University is invested in Ion for the long-term. This will offer its tenants and partners stability with Rice University ownership, management, and programming happening within the building.

“The Ion allows our faculty and students to make an impact across the city, the country and the world through partnerships and collaborations that might not be formed otherwise. The Ion allows us to work side-by-side with experts and actual end-users to help bring solutions to some of the city’s and the world’s most pressing challenges.”

President, Rice University

“I’ve often thought of the Ion as a love letter back to Houston,” said Paul Cherukuri, Vice President for Innovation and Chief Innovation Officer at Rice University. “This is us giving back, and now we are taking part in the actual building itself by moving the Nexus in here so that our faculty and students can now engage the rest of the Houston community and really be a part of the innovation ecosystem.”

PAUL CHERUKURI Vice President

for Innovation + Chief Innovation Officer, Rice University

↑ Rice Nexus Lab

↑ Rice University’s Campus

REGINALD DESROCHES

CORPORATE PARTNERS

Where ingenuity meets opportunity.

Ion creates pathways for corporate innovators to collaborate, create, grow, learn, and lead. Together we explore opportunities to strengthen Houston’s economic resiliency and competitiveness by investing in the region’s industries. The commitment of our corporate partners allows our ecosystem to take part in robust programming, networking, and learning opportunities while also connecting ideas to capital, all under one roof.

Immersion Partners

→ Hosted launch event for Azure Data Manager for Energy

→ Minority Student Day

→ DivInc Clean Energy Tech Accelerator Sponsorship and Office Hours

→ American Association of Blacks in Energy: Houston Equity in Action

→ 2022 + 2023 Microsoft East and Gulf Coast Engineering Growth Summits

→ Corporate Innovation Leaders Roundtable

→ Hosted 20+ innovation meetings with over 150 attendees

→ Held 5 Open Innovation Challenges at the Ion

→ 2023 XYZ Global Leadership Conference

→ 2023 Global IT Conference

→ Thurgood Marshall College Fund / Chevron Energy Innovation Summit

→ Keynote speaker for Activation Festival

→ DivInc Clean Energy Tech Accelerator Sponsorship and Office Hours

→ Hosts team innovation meetings at the Ion

→ Global Women’s Leadership Development Program

→ Participated in judging for Ion and DivInc pitch competitions

→ Investor Office HoursOnce every two weeks with over 300 startup interactions facilitated

Botts

→ Provided 200+ hours of complimentary legal office hours

→ Host quarterly Corporate Innovation Roundtables

→ Co-Hosted Innovation Summit featuring a fireside chat with Barbara Burger (formerly of Chevron Technology Ventures)

→ Invited keynote speaker, Dr. Brett Giroir, CEO of Altesa Biosciences, Inc. who was featured during Activation Festival 2022

→ Led corporate-startup partnerships panel during Activation Festival 2023

→ Judged for Ion pitch competition regularly.

→ Hosted cross-industry technology roundtable and networking events on additive manufacturing, ESG, and decarbonization related topics

CORPORATE PARTNERS

→ ARAMCO VENTURES (2022 - PRESENT)

Aramco brings its culture of innovation, knowledge from its global research and development network, and experience with early-stage, high-growth technology companies through its corporate venture capital arm to further support Ion’s mission as a global technology hub.

As part of its three-year partnership with Ion, Aramco has appointed Jim Sledzik, Managing Director, Aramco Ventures, North America to Ion’s Leadership Advisory Roundtable.

→ MICROSOFT (2019 - PRESENT)

Microsoft enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Microsoft is a founding partner of the Ion, where it connects with community, partners, customers and industry.

“The Ion is the center of Houston’s startup community, and we are especially excited about its role in developing energy transition technologies. At Microsoft, we’re proud to be a part of the Ion ecosystem in support of our vision of a sustainable future. The Ion is powering a wave of innovation that extends from Houston to the world.”

→ CHEVRON (2020 - PRESENT)

Chevron contributes to diversity, equity and inclusion and the advancement of STEM careers and innovation in the energy sector through its partnership at the Ion. Hosting numerous events, including those organized by Chevron Employee Networks, various sponsorships, and meetings or workshops, Chevron facilitates networking and knowledge exchange among industry professionals. With a focus on fostering community engagement, Chevron's contributions underscore its commitment to advancing the energy industry and supporting local talent development.

→ EXXONMOBIL (2022 - PRESENT)

ExxonMobil partners with Ion to drive innovation and support Houston's tech ecosystem. Through collaborative efforts, they aim to address emerging energy challenges by leveraging Ion's network and expertise. In 2022, ExxonMobil initiated Open Innovation Challenges, fostering collaboration between experts and innovators. Positive outcomes include multiple agreements and ongoing conversations.

“In 2022, ExxonMobil partnered with the Ion, Houston’s innovation hub, to support Ion’s mission as a global technology hub and identify innovative solutions for specific ExxonMobil technology needs. The collaboration has resulted in positive outcomes, including agreements to secure services or pilot potential solutions. Looking ahead, ExxonMobil plans to host additional Open Innovation Challenges in 2024 and beyond.”

JIM HOLL Technology Portfolio Manager, E&NV Portfolio

ROB SCHAPIRO

Microsoft's Houston Site Lead & Senior Director of Energy Partnerships

↑ SUPERGirls SHINE + Microsoft

↑ ExxonMobil at Activation Festival

↑ Aramco During Activation Festival

↑ Fireside Chat w/Microsoft's Raamel Mitchell

↑ Eimear Bonner, VP & CTO at Chevron Speaking at Activation Festival 2022

CORPORATE PARTNERS

→ BAKER BOTTS (2021 - PRESENT)

Baker Botts frequently engages directly with the tech community, backing diverse entrepreneurs and guiding emerging companies. Through close collaboration with entrepreneurs and corporate partners, the firm leverages its extensive expertise in technology and innovation to nurture Houston's growing tech ecosystem.

"Our market-leading strengths in Houston present exciting opportunities for the firm," said John Martin, Former Managing Partner of Baker Botts. "Partnering with the Ion and Rice Alliance allows our lawyers from various practices to collaborate closely with cutting-edge companies in the Texas startup ecosystem.”

JOHN MARTIN

Former Managing Partner, Baker Botts

→ WOODSIDE ENERGY (2023 - PRESENT)

With over 65 years of experience, Woodside Energy provides energy the world needs to heat and cool homes, keep lights on, and support industry. By partnering with the Ion, Woodside Energy is opening doors to new innovations that will drive a successful energy transition in Houston and beyond.

“Woodside Energy was founded with a spirit of innovation and determination,” said Woodside Energy Executive Vice President of Technical Services and Chief Technology Officer, Daniel Kalms. “The same ideals drive the Ion, and we’re excited to exchange ideas, find creative solutions, and explore new ways to forge a better future as part of a likeminded community.”

DANIEL KALMS

Executive Vice President of Technical Services and Chief Technology Officer, Woodside Energy

Dedication Partners

→ Strategic Technical Excellence Program reception with Oxy President and CEO Vicki Hollub

→ Participated in a panel during Activation Festival

→ Oxy meetings held at the Ion, Common Desk – Ion and The Lymbar

→ Oxy employees regularly attend public and private events and programs held at the Ion

→ Actively participates in Ion Advisory Roundtable meetings

Connection Partners

→ Ion featured in United’s Hemispheres Magazine, June 2023 Issue, distributed among an estimated 12 million travelers monthly.

→ Visionary Voices Fireside Chat featuring United Airlines CEO, Scott Kirby

→ Numerous startup meetings in the Ion Investor Studio and meetings with UAV Sustainable Flight Fund LPs.

CORPORATE PARTNERS

→

UNITED AIRLINES VENTURES (2023 - PRESENT)

Founded in 2021, United Airlines Ventures is committed to improving the travel experience for customers by investing in sustainability, aerospace and tech start-ups. The team is excited to meet and collaborate with companies across industries to accelerate research and production and prioritize new technologies, particularly those associated with sustainable aviation fuel.

→ OXY (2023 - PRESENT)

For more than 100 years, Houston-based Oxy has developed assets, infrastructure, and technology in the energy industry. It now leverages its resources, innovative technologies and 50+ year legacy of carbon management to accelerate its pathway to net zero and help others do the same. With Ion, Oxy has a unique opportunity to cultivate ideas, foster relationships, inspire employee engagement, and uncover a breadth of innovation and thought leadership.

“As a company deeply committed to both innovation and the city of Houston, United shares Ion’s vision to inspire collaboration and creativity and is proud to join Ion’s network of entrepreneurs. We believe the Ion will be the epicenter for Houston’s rapidly growing innovation community – a one-stop-shop to share ideas, foster startups, and to develop relationships with Houston’s brightest companies and academia.”

ANDREW CHANG Managing Director, United Airlines Ventures

→ BP VENTURES (2021 - PRESENT)

"bp Ventures, who has an office in the Ion, invests in innovative technologies and visionary founders which could help to revolutionise the energy sector. bp Ventures’ investments support bp’s transition growth engines, while also enhancing core operations and paving the way for future disruptive opportunities"

“A partnership with Ion is a natural fit for Oxy in many ways,” says Jeff Simmons, Senior Vice President, Chief Petrotechnical Officer for Oxy. “As Oxy innovates for a lower-carbon future, we look to partner with communities and organizations that are similarly focused on technology and climate-related goals.”

JEFF SIMMONS Senior Vice President, Chief Petrotechnical Officer,

→ GLOBAL CUSTOM COMMERCE, A HOME DEPOT COMPANY (GCC) (2023 - PRESENT)

GCC is the largest ecommerce retailer in the configurable home décor space, powering The Home Depot and brands like Blinds.com, JustBlinds, American Blinds, and Blinds.ca. Based here in Houston, TX, GCC is rewriting the rules of ecommerce by creating and testing technology for The Home Depot and pushing the boundaries of innovation. While GCC is part of The Home Depot, a Fortune 20 corporation, they very much still operate as a fast-paced, creative, experiment-

→ INTEL (2020 - 2023)

Elizabeth McGee, Intel’s General Manager of State, Local and Education business served as a thought leader on the Ion Leadership Advisory Roundtable. Additionally, Intel sponsored Ion’s Smart and Resilient Cities Accelerator.

Transocean, a global leader in offshore drilling, launched an exciting challenge inviting startup companies, academics and entrepreneurs to contribute their innovative ideas with the potential for pilot opportunities and deep-dive engagements with Transocean in the future. When chosen in early 2024, finalists will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas in front of a live audience, and the winning team may be awarded a pilot project with Transocean, offering a real-world testing ground for innovative solutions.

↑ Phil Griffith, Andrew Chang + Scott Kirby During Ion Visionary Voices

↑ GCC Team at Ion District Showcase

ELIZABETH MCGEE

Intel's General Manager of State, Local and Education

↑ bp ventures Team Touring the Ion

CHAD W. BOWN Managing Director, bp Ventures

→ TRANSOCEAN (2022 - PRESENT)

PRODUCTION

ION PROTOTYPING LAB

Ion Prototyping Lab (IPL) helps entrepreneurs and companies move their ideas forward.

It brings together the perfect mix of equipment, facilities, and skills to help accelerate the invention process. It embraces the fail-fast, rapid iteration design approach. IPL has worked with a very wide range of customers, including medical groups (Houston Methodist, MD Anderson, Baylor College of Medicine), Space (Axiom), Industrial (Marmon Cranes), and numerous startups and individuals.

IPL Success Stories

Axiom Space - Artemis Space Suit Prototypes

3D printed full-scale (30” tall) mockups of various pieces of the Artemis space suits for Axiom’s engineering teams to help test fit and assembly. Axiom leveraged IPL’s unique large-format 3D printers and extensive model-making skillset to achieve these prototypes.

Eigen Control

Simulates the laws of physics to facilitate the design of reservoir engineering, chemical manufacturing, and aerospace design. They also created air quality sensors that the Ion purchased to detect gas leaks within the building.

Paladine Drone

Created a drone for the Spring Branch Police Department that can get to scenes before first responders to gather critical intel.

M.D. Anderson - Knee Surgery Circulation System

Designed and built a prototype device for circulating solution through the knee joint during surgery to help improve recovery. Initial testing and design iteration are ongoing.

PowerHV - IoT

Waterproof Enclosures

Designed, 3D printed, and assembled waterproof enclosures for use with IoT monitoring of off-site assets in industrial applications (oil & gas, utilities, telecommunications). Over 200 devices were produced and are in operation worldwide.

↑ Robotics Demonstration at Ion Prototyping Lab

↑ Artemis Space Suit Prototypes ↑ Knee Surgery Circulation System

IPL Success Stories

Gridlights ↑ Boozed - Drinks Dispensing System

Gridlights

The Gridlights system is a patentpending smart LED system that adds a programmable lighting grid to any drop ceiling. It represents the next generation of responsive lighting. IPL provided core electrical and mechanical design assistance and built several prototypes. In addition, IPL is providing assistance in connecting the company with prospective manufacturing partners in the region.

ReadTych - eInk Tablet

ReadTych tablet is a triple-screen system designed for students to replace their textbooks. ReadTych has raised over $1M in funding and has lined up a number of highprofile school systems for testing. IPL designed the complex electronics motherboard for the system and the physical design for the case.

Boozed - Drinks Dispensing System

Ion Accelerator Hub startup, Boozed, has completed the prototype of their AI-enabled drink dispenser. They built the prototype with software and hardware assistance and mentorship from Ion Prototyping Lab staff, and hosted their first pilot customer at the end of 2023. The system was designed and fabricated as a portable drinks mixing system designed for high fashion events (e.g., weddings).

IPL hosts a vibrant community of makers, arts, engineers, and people learning something new.

→ G-Unity - High School Entrepreneur Competition

IPL has offered 1,152 hours of events, programming & mentorship through these programs.

→ IPL Office Hours

IPL offers a cadre of retired engineers who volunteer every week and provide free advice. Everyone from seasoned entrepreneurs to educators or “just a person with an idea” is welcome and are offered a chance to engage in expert one-on-one and explore options for building or producing their devices. Walk-ins are on a first-come, first-served basis.

The G-Unity Business Program is a business plan competition hosted each year by the HISD school system to encourage entrepreneurship among high school students. IPL provided a technical review of the semifinalist teams’ product ideas and a breakdown of the costs and approach to manufacturing the products. In addition, IPL helped create prototypes or mockups of a few of the products for the final presentation.

→ Houston Robotics Meetup

The Houston Robotics Meetup brings together a wide range of people every Saturday interested in learning more about designing and building robots. Participants include everything from middle school students to NASA engineers. The IPL provides a perfect venue for the event.

Combining high-end style with manufacturability and functionality in a rugged frame system designed for easy serviceability and maintenance. IPL also hosts classes in a range of topics, including CAD software, laser cutting, and even sewing workshops.

PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS

→ Family Tech Day

A quarterly series focusing on STEAM concepts, including hands-on activities such as creating models of blood, mini robots, and coding utilizing Arduino kits. Each Family Tech Day reaches close to 75 students along with their families. A range of partners, including STEAM on Demand, SUPERGirls SHINE Foundation, and Eagle Investors have helped put on these quarterly programs.

→ Ion Office Hours

To help entrepreneurs take their next steps, the Ion hosts Office Hours sessions every Friday morning. More than 300 have people received one-on-one consultations to learn about opportunities at the Ion and/or met with representatives of partner organizations including, SCORE, SBA, SBDC, and Liftfund. Baker Botts, Aramco, Ion Prototyping Lab and Houston Methodist also host office hours separately for entrepreneurs.

→ Houston Startup Showcase

Houston Startup Showcase is a “Shark Tank” style pitch competition for startups at various stages to compete and gather feedback from esteemed judges and known Ion mentors. As startups pitch and progress in the competition to semi-finals and finals, they have a chance to win a cash prize. Since 2020, Ion has hosted over 150 pitches, evaluated by over 100 different judges.

TO DATE, ION + PARTNERS

$55,000 given in prizes

$50,000 worth of pro-bono legal support to winners by Baker Botts

In 2023, Ion hosted 3,086 hours of programming

In addition to the Ion team, corporate sponsors, Ion tenants, and strategic partners are among the groups who contributed to the wide array of meetings, events, and programming that allowed startups, investors, academics, and community members, to collaborate on ideas, learn new skills, and begin a journey on commercializing their technology.

NOVEMBER 2023 WINNER: WELLWORTH

Wellworth was co-founded in 2018 after Samra Nawaz identified a gap in financial modeling for the oil and gas industry. Engineering teams work with massive amounts of data that’s too big for Excel, so finance teams then have to work off of aggregated data to build their financial models. Since creating Wellworth with her husband, the company has developed its MVP, completed a few accelerators — Rice University’s OwlSpark, MassChallenge, and Softeq Ventures, to name a few — and most recently won the Ion’s 2023 Houston Startup Showcase competition.

MAY 2023 WINNER: TRAINR

Trainr is an all-in-one software for performance and skills trainers in over 25 sports verticals, as well as provides payments, scheduling, and messaging tools to help trainers maximize their earnings and eliminate wasted time. A minority-owned business, trainr was part of DivInc’s Sports Tech Accelerator last spring.

Jeremy, the founder of trainr, enjoyed Houston and the Ion so much that his family chose to move to Houston from Dallas. When trainr launched their app on Android & iOS, he hosted his product launch celebration at the Ion.

INNOVATOR IN RESIDENCE

The Innovator in Residence role was designed fo individuals who wants to immerse themselves in Houston’s innovation ecosystem, in particular through supporting several of the Ion’s flagship events that build the community of entrepreneurs and innovators at the Ion. They also work side-by-side with various team members of the Ion learning the ins and outs of programming, marketing, entrepreneurship, and more. At the same time, they develop a broad and deep understanding of Houston’s innovation district, its stakeholders, its partners, and its ambitious goals for Houston as a future-thinking city and urban environment.

To date, Ion has had the pleasure of working with 3 Innovators in Residence, each with varying experiences and success stories worth noting.

↑ Damyanna Cooke, Founder of boozed + Ion Innovator in Residence ‘22

“As a pandemic graduate who lacked social interaction in the professional world, I also witnessed the profound impact that people can have on shaping your life. Thanks to my time at the Ion, my network has grown by 60%, and I’ve had the privilege to meet some of my closest friends, mentors, subject matter experts, investors, and co-founders.”

NIKHITA KULKARNI

Co-Founder, Business Development Lead Houston Venture Labs + Innovator in Residence ‘23

“As I was wrapping up my time as the Ion’s Innovator in Residence, I was keen on obtaining startup experience. During my tenure I was able to connect with multiple founders in the ecosystem and learn more about their experiences. Fortunately, these relationships led to conversations that landed me my current position.”

RISHI PRASADHA Product Manager, Guzo (Common Desk-Ion Tenant) Innovator in Residence ‘22

Connecting What if... and What now?

Ion and the various businesses within Ion District come together annually to host a multiday series of events called Activation Festival. These thoughtfully curated events drive Ion and Ion District’s purpose for transforming and strengthening Houston’s economic resilience, and creating opportunities for easy access to economic opportunities in the innovation and tech-enabled industries.

The events provide attendees the opportunity to experience businesses, networking, and programming that highlights and celebrates Houston’s vibrant entrepreneurial, academic, startup and corporate innovator communities.

In 2022, the week-long festival saw more than 2,500 registrants and an array of prestigious and talented speakers curated by the Ion team alongside its corporate partners, including Chevron, Microsoft, Baker Botts, ExxonMobil, and Aramco.

In 2023, the festival was reduced to three days of activation, yet saw an increase in total registrants with more than 2,700 guests interested in the lineup of panels, hands on workshops, and keynote speakers, including an outstanding turnout for keynote speaker, Hap Klopp, the founder of The North Face.

↑ Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

↑ Abloom at Ion District Showcase

↑ Drone Demonstration with NanoTech

ION RESTAURANTS

“Innovation often happens when people are around a table. We're proud to be that table at the Lymbar in the Ion. We love that Lymbar is part of closing the deal in business and socially. No one could have imagined the impact the Ion has had on the community and its tenants in such a short time. We're excited to see how far its branches will spread”

Cafe Ion, led by the team from Leven, Sustain, and Juicewell, offers healthy meals, fresh juices, and a full-service coffee bar.

A concept from Lucille’s Hospitality Group representing chef Chris Williams, Late August seeks to feed the future while paying homage to the former Sears Department Store.

An all-day neighborhood craft cocktail bar and restaurant with Latin and Mediterranean flavors from local chef, David Cordúa.

A craft beer taproom featuring Houston’s incredible lineup of local breweries and talented home-grown brewers.

Ion District Food & Beverage Offerings:

STUFF’d Wings is a successful food truck turned brick-and-mortar restaurant serving up traditional chicken wings STUFF’d with a variety of cuisines.

Kokoro offers a fresh take on Japanese cuisine. It is the latest venture by Chefs Patrick Pham and Daniel Lee and sister restaurant to Aiko and Handies Douzo. Coming soon.

↑ The Lymbar

DAVID CORDUA Chef & Owner, The Lymber

↑ Second Draught

↑ Stuff'd Wings

ION ARTIST RESIDENCY PROGRAM

17 Art Commissions to date with 5 additional in the works for Spring 2024.

About 66 people (in addition to lead artists) contributed to the production, installation, and fabrication.

“The Ion’s Eye On Art program gave me an incredible opportunity to really stretch my skills to tell a story on a much larger scale. I enjoyed the opportunity to take my mission to be a green artist even further by incorporating recycled materials. I also enjoyed the collaboration. So many passersby stopped to talk to us about our installation- it was very rewarding!”

STACY GRESELL

Eye on Art, Round 2

Lawndale’s Lending Library

Partnership at Common Desk

Launched in December 2018, the Lawndale Lending Library is an arts library that builds relationships between art lovers and contemporary artists in the region. Friends of Lawndale, which includes Common Desk - Ion, can borrow artwork for select periods throughout the year. Then annually, Lawndale hosts a silent auction where artwork from the collection that was on display the previous year can be purchased.

“My time at the Ion has been one of my favorite experiences working with a public-facing art program or residency. The staff has been responsive to my needs as an artist and the [Ion prototyping] lab was pivotal in helping with the fabrication of my sculpture and ideas. I would strongly recommend the Ion program to any artist seeking to apply, and I would say I was very satisfied. My work being on view for such a generous period of time, not to mention the generous stipend support to artists in the program, has allowed me to demonstrate to other institutions, collectors, and galleries my qualifications–which has been the single most beneficial aspect of the program.”

CHRISTOPHER BLAY

Eye on Art, Round 3

“Participating in Lawndale’s Lending Library and having it displayed at the Ion enabled my work to be viewed by a large and new audience who otherwise would never have discovered what I make. In addition to this the experience, it connected me to other creatives in the Houston community. It is a wonderful program empowering both art lovers and creators!”

VENESSA MONOKIAN Artist

DEI INITIATIVES

Ion fosters an atmosphere of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in its programming year-round and collaborates with local organizations to create access and opportunities for Houston's diverse communities.

In addition to ongoing DEI efforts, the Ion hosts monthlong celebrations during Black History Month and Hispanic Heritage Month.

Blackstreet

In recognition of Black History Month, Ion designed Blackstreet as a series of curated events and activities to highlight and celebrate Houston’s innovative AfricanAmerican community, while also providing access to resources, key leaders, and networking opportunities. The series of events was designed to catalyze ongoing programming throughout the year.

The inaugural Blacktsreet was held in February 2022 seeing nearly 800 registrants, 60% of whom were firsttime visitors to the Ion. Six events were held throughout the month to convene the innovation community while spotlighting and supporting Black innovators and local businesses.

Ion hosted its Second Annual Blackstreet in February 2023 to more than 500 registrants. The lineup included a panel of prominent venture capitalists, local arts institutions discussing entrepreneurship in the arts, navigating innovation in the corporate world, and an event discussing innovative ways to mitigate effects of climate change on communities of color that was held in partnership with Greentown Labs.

Hispanic Heritage Month

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month in 2022, Ion hosted a series of events in partnership with local organizations to celebrate, highlight, and provide support for Houston’s Hispanic community, especially in the areas of innovation, technology and entrepreneurship. Events at the Ion held in partnership with local organizations included the Tejano Tech Summit with LSA Global, the Hispanic Business Summit with SBA (in Spanish), the LatinPitch Competition with the Consulate General of Israel and the Fiesta Mexicana Block Party with Que Onda Magazine. More than 100 speakers and panelists supported the 11 events and Ion hosted more than 1,200 registrants. The event series provided visibility for Hispanic-owned businesses and a range of support organizations.

In 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month at the Ion saw the return of Tejano Tech Summit in partnership with LSA Global and several events designed to celebrate and

provide resources for Hispanic innovators. Events included the Hispanic Business Summit (in Spanish) with the SBA and several community organizations, panel discussions and networking.

The Ion created the ongoing Plaza Tec series to spotlight the contributions of the Latinx community in technology and innovation and to provide additional networking opportunities year-round, culminating in The Plaza Tec: Super Latinx Meet Up during Hispanic Heritage Month.

→ 100+ speakers & panelists supported the 11 events and Ion hosted 1,200 + registrants.

↑ Plaza Tec: Super Latinx Meetup

↑ Left to Right: Zion Escobar, Lindsay Gary, Cassandra McZeal, Britney Winters, Ashley DeWalt

↑ Plaza Tec 2022

↑ Featuring the work of local Houston artist, Donkeeboy at Tejano Tech Summit

OUR TEAM

Taylor

Digital Marketing Specialist, Marketing & Communications

"Thank you to our team for their invaluable contributions to Ion over the course of the past few years, including existing and former team members. Their dedication and expertise have shaped its success."

Jan Odegard Executive Director

Sharon Scoppa Senior Director, Operations

Ragen Doyle Corporate Engagement Officer

Chelsea Wessels-Self Program Manager, Academic Network & Workforce

Chris Ortiz Events Specialist Jinneth Ramos Executive Assistant

Joann Echeverria Graphic Designer, Marketing & Communications

Kelly Franks Events Specialist

Seraphina Van Associate Director, Event Operations

Serina Brown Accounting Specialist

Odum

Ashton Robinson Director, Hospitality

Christine Galib Senior Director, Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Joey Sanchez Senior Director, Ecosystems

JAN E. ODEGARD Executive Director, Ion

Katrina Buerger Director, Marketing & Communications

Deanea LeFlore Senior Director, Strategic Alliances

Lauren Brooks Data Analyst