Houston Innovators Podcast

Mark Walker is the CEO, co-founder and chairman of Direct Digital Holdings, a Houston-based adtech company that’s providing a platform for both sides of the advertising equation. It’s been one year since direct digital went public, and Mark shares on the show today how Houston has been integral in his company’s success — as well as what technology he’s keeping a close eye on in the ever evolving w...

Ben Jawdat is the founder and CEO of Revterra, a Houston startup that’s created a kinetic battery technology that can enable rapid EV charging. A physicist by training, Ben explains how he took an idea he had in his postdoctoral work and turned it into the growing company it is today. He also shares what all he has on the horizon for Revterra, including building out a new lab and launching new pil...

Madison Long is the CEO and co-founder of Clutch, a creator economy platform that empowers users to make a sustainable income with their existing skills and interests. Last week, the platform launched nationwide after completing its original beta on a few college campuses. Madison explains what all they’ve learned from their beta — including the power of a pivot — and shares how integral Houston h...

Hannah Le is the founder and CEO of RE.STATEMENT, a platform where buyers and sellers can connect for unique up-cycled clothing. The company just had its soft launch last month after winning one of the City’s Liftoff Houston awards. Hannah joins the show to discuss how she plans on growing her platform to reach more people looking to shop and sell more creatively and sustainably. 

Stephanie Tsuru is the founder and CEO of SheSpace, a coworking space for women to meet, work, and find support. Stephanie shares the origin story of SheSpace, how it’s grown since opening its doors, and how she hopes to continue to provide the ideal workplace for Houston’s female entrepreneurs in the new year.

Richard Seline is the co-founder of Resilience Innovation Hub and major advocate for all things resilience innovation, policy, and more. Richard and I discuss what all Houston accomplished in risk mitigation and disaster proofing initiatives in 2022, including HCC’s rising Resiliency Center of Excellence, as well as why he expects this year to be a year of implementation for resilience innovation.

Steve Latham is the co-founder of DonateStock, a Houston startup that simplifies stock-based donations for both nonprofits and their donors. Steve and I discuss how DonateStock’s platform has evolved to make a greater impact for nonprofit organizations. He also shares how he’s seen the Houston innovation ecosystem evolve since his early days at the Houston Technology Center followed by decades of...

On this episode of the podcast, host Natalie Harms is looking back on some of her favorite podcast episodes of 2022 — featuring guests from startup founders, venture capital investors, health care leaders, startup development organization professionals, and more.

Samantha Lewis is principal at Mercury, a Houston-based Venture capital firm. Today, Sam and I look back at some tech and venture trends she’s focused on — like blockchain, web3, crypto and more — as well as dive into what she thinks founders need to focus on in the new year.

Jason Pesterfield is the CEO of Optellum, a digital health company with AI-based software for lung cancer diagnostics. Optellum recently established its US headquarters in Houston, and Jason joins the show today to discuss how the company has settled into Houston and what the future holds as it expands both locally and beyond.

Anas Al Kassas is the founder and CEO of INOVUES, a Houston-based company that has developed a process to retrofit commercial buildings with energy efficient window treatments. Anas joins the show today to discuss how he’s scaling and expanding the company — both to provide his customers with easy-to-install energy efficiency as well as move the needle on the energy transition within the built env...

Devin Dunn is the head of TMC’s HealthTech Accelerator. Devin joins the show today to pull back the curtain a little bit about how TMC Innovation selects its accelerator cohort and the unique bootcamp opportunity the program has for its startups. Devin also discusses a new international program recently announced at TMC and how the greater ecosystem has evolved over the past decade.

Zimri Hinshaw is the CEO of BUCHA BIO, a Houston-based materials company that is manufacturing a plant-based alternative to plastic and leather for a handful of industries. Zimri joins the show today to talk about how Bucha Bio is scaling following its $1.1 million dollar raise earlier this fall and how the company is moving into its new facility later this month.

Stuart Corr is the executive director of Pumps and Pipes, a Houston organization that promotes collaboration and innovation across aerospace, energy, and medicine. Stuart, who is also the Director of Innovation Systems Engineering at Houston Methodist and associate professor of biomedical engineering research, shares what all to expect at the magical pumps and pipes event on December 5 that will f...

Betsy Furler is the CEO of For All Abilities, a Houston-based software-as-a-service company providing tools for employers to support their neurodiverse workforce. Betsy shares on the show today how she’s grown and scaled her tech platform — including introducing her new co-founder — as well as how she balances being both a mission-driven and for-profit company.

Natara Branch is the newly named CEO of Houston Exponential. Today on the show, Natara discusses her background and passion for Houston, and also explains how she sees this new era for HX. Natara also shares what all she's excited about for the Houston Innovation Awards Gala, next week on November 9.

Juliana Garaizer is the head of the Houston incubator and vice president of innovation at Greentown Labs, an energy tech startup incubator. Juliana joins the show today to discuss some of the recent goings on at Greentown Houston — as well as what people can expect from the Greentown Climatetech Summit in Houston on Nov. 2

Dr. Katie Eick is the founder and CEO Rockin' Pets, Rollin’ Vets, an innovative mobile vet care company that’s expanded from Houston to The Woodlands and Austin. After raising $5 million last year, Katie explains how she’s growing her company at a fast pace during a challenging time for veterinary health care.

Tatiana Fofanova is the co-founder and CEO of Koda Health, a B2B Enterprise SaaS solution that guides patients through the process of proactive healthcare planning and document authentication. Koda is currently expanding nationwide following a $3.5 million seed round earlier this year. Tatiana joins me today to discuss how she’s growing her team and tackling the challenges of expansion.

Sarah Essama is the founder of The Dream Lab and director of social innovation at Teach For America Houston. Sarah joins the show today to discuss how she’s both innovating within TFA and allowing the organization’s students the ability to tap into their imagination to dream up ways to innovate in the future. A couple weeks ago, The Dream Lab held a mini accelerator at the Ion and Sarah shares wha...

Asma Mirza is the CEO and co-founder of Steradian Technologies, a startup that has created a portable and affordable device called the RUMI that can provide breath-based diagnostics for less than the price of a latte. Last week, the company announced that it has received a prestigious grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. On the show today, Asma shares how tapping into the Houston inno...

Brad Burke is the managing director of the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship. The Rice Alliance has been bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and more for 22 years now, and today Brad and I will discuss the impact the organization — including its annual Rice Business Plan Competition — has had on the Houston innovation ecosystem.

Loretta Williams Gurnell is the founder executive director of the SUPERGirls SHINE Foundation, a Houston nonprofit based in the ion that is focused on increasing access to STEM opportunities for girls age 10 to 17. Loretta joins the show today to discuss how she pivoted her efforts amid the pandemic and how she hopes to expand nationwide.

Aleece Hobson is venture partner at the HX Venture Fund, a fund of funds that’s hosting Venture Houston on Monday, September 12, at the Ion. The event will be a full day of showcasing Houston innovation with speakers and guests alike coming into town to participate in the conversation — including Gwyneth Paltrow, founder of Goop, an HXVF portfolio company. Aleece shares what all people can expect...

Joanna Nathan is the CEO and founder of Prana Thoracic, a Houston-based medical device company that hopes to enhance early-stage lung cancer diagnostics. Last week, Prana announced its launch with a $3 million grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, and Joanna joins the show today to discuss how the company will use that funding to get to first in-human trials and grow it...