Paresh Patel and Ed Pettitt are the co-founders of InnoGrid, a cost-effective and equitable plan to build Houston’s first microgrid. With rising temperatures and an increase in devastating storms, it’s time to rethink the grid, and that’s exactly what InnoGrid is focused on. The company, a member of the Ion’s Smart and Resilient Cities Accelerator, is looking to grow partnerships and awareness for their technology in order to enable more energy security in the local community.

Founded by Maggie Segrich and Meredith Wheeler, Sesh Coworking is an inclusive coworking space in Midtown Houston that just recently fully opened its new facility. Maggie and Meredith discuss what makes Sesh different and how they are intentionally growing their membership in Houston and, eventually, beyond.

Kate Evinger is the director of Pokatok Labs, a scale-up program for seed and series a-stage sportstech companies. The labs component is part of a bigger mission of Pokatok to make Houston a hub for sports innovation. The company is part of the same business family as InnovationMap and Gow Media. Kate joins the podcast today to share how the inaugural cohort went and what types of companies should apply for the next class this fall.

Samuel Dike is the manager of strategic initiatives at Rice Management Company, the owner and operator of The Ion and the rising Ion Innovation District. Sam joins the show today to share a bit about the Ion’s origin story and how it fit with Rice University and RMC’s missions — as well as what Houstonians can expect from the development of the district, from startups and technology to restaurants to the arts.

Adam Putterman is the co-founder of OURS, a Houston-based tech startup focused on optimizing and destigmatizing couples counseling. Adam joins the show today to discuss the virtual therapy platform and its recently closed fundraising round, which was supported big-name investors including Serena Williams.We also discuss how the company manages its fully remote team — and how its hiring and looking to grow and expand.

Amanda Ducach is the founder of Social Mama, a Houston-based company looking to connect women to improve the isolated and lonely journey that is motherhood. Launching originally as a social platform, Amanda shares how she’s gearing up for a total rebrand and launch of a whole new product — one that’s focused holistically on women’s health and wellness from fertility to menopause. 

John Reale is the executive in residence at Texas Medical Center Innovation and managing director of Integr8d Capital. In this second episode of a two-part series, he shares how he’s leading the TMC Venture Fund, which recently expanded to a $50 million fund. He also discusses the impact TMC3, which is currently in construction, will have on Houston innovation.

John Reale is the executive in residence at Texas Medical Center Innovation and managing director of Integr8d Capital. In this first episode of a two-part series, he discusses his career in Houston innovation from co-founding Station Houston to what he's doing now as an investor in innovative businesses in Houston and beyond.

Pete O’Heeron is the CEO, founder, and chairman of FiberBiologics, a Houston-based company that’s using fibroblast cell technology to treat a variety of chronic diseases. Pete shares how the company is gearing up to IPO, move into a new combined lab and manufacturing space, and launch two more clinical trials to further prove out the impact of fiber blast technology.

Kerri Smith is the executive director of Rice Alliance’s Clean Energy Accelerator. The program, which launched last year, is currently accepting applications for its second class that will run later this year. Kerri and I chat about what she’s looking for in the cohort as well as some of the successes from Class one. Kerri also shares some of her observations of the Houston innovation ecosystem, how its evolved over her tenure, and what’s next for the city.