Houston Innovators Podcast

Houston tech innovator Sid Upadhyay joins the show to discuss how the pandemic affected his recruitment software company, its recent $7.5 million series A round, and where the company is headed.

Joining the podcast at the start of Women's History Month, Samantha Lewis says now more than ever there is a need for more female representation at venture capital firms.

In light of last week's winter storm that wrecked havoc on Houston and Texas as a whole, Richard Seline joins the show to discuss the call for innovation in mitigating damage from weather-related crises.

Houston is no stranger to picking itself up by the bootstraps, and both non-Houston natives Christine Galib and Courtney Cogdill of The Ion have seen that so clearly. The duo, which works on programs and accelerators at The Ion, join the show to discuss the organizations four programs and how they really represent Houston. Note: This podcast, though timely in that the guests and host discuss Houst...

For Black History Month, Ashley Small is making sure her team at her Houston-based PR and branding company is aware of Black innovators and the roads they paved across industries. And, she's reminding her fellow business owners to bring diverse voices to the table.

Deanna Zhang focuses on energy technology business at Houston-based financial adviser Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co., and last year, she saw the energy transition hugely affected by both the pandemic and the drop in oil prices. She joins the show to share a bit about what she observed.

Houston-based InformAI is creating technology that taps into hospital data to better predict and diagnose medical issues, and CEO and Founder Jim Havelka says Houston and the Texas Medical Center have been essential to his company's success.

Mercury Fund was founded to find and fund the underrepresented entrepreneurs, and now Heath Butler, newly named network partner, is hoping to continue this effort by is focusing on entrepreneurs of color and female entrepreneurs, as well as the future of work.

The HX Venture Fund is working with several Houston organizations to host a February summit that will shine a national spotlight on Houston startups and bring venture capital to town. Guillermo Borda and Sandy Guitar, managing directors at the fund of funds, join the podcast to discuss Venture Houston — as well as the conference's $1.7 million pitch competition.

Companies across industries are looking to increase transparency and sustainability — and Validere's technology can do just that. The Canadian energy tech startup is growing at a rapid pace, and its Houston office is expanding as a result. Senior Vice President Nicole Rogers joins the show to discuss ESG, Houston, energy tech, and more.

Blair Garrou says he's never been busier, and while venture capital deals have been on a rollercoaster this year, he's looking forward to 2021. On this episode of the podcast, Blair discusses Houston's VC scene, recent Mercury Fund investments, and more, as well as what he's looking forward to in 2021.

Joy M. Hutton wears a lot of hats. The entrepreneur and consultant has also just joined Houston's Grow with Google Digital Coach program as the local leader and on the podcast today, she shares more details on the inclusion-focused program as well as some of the challenges she's overcome this year amid the pandemic. 

As the COVID-19 vaccine begins being distributed to frontline workers this week, Adam Kuspa, president of Houston-based nonprofit, The Welch Foundation, discusses the years of research and support it's taken to make the quick response possible.

Deanea LeFlore joins the show to discuss the future of The Ion — opening in just a few months — and how she’s striving to make sure it represents Houston’s diverse population.

Fresh off of its seed round, NanoTech’s co-founder Mike Francis joins the show to discuss fireproofing California, why Houston is the place to be an entrepreneur, and more.

Jani Tuomi, co-founder of Imaware, a Houston-based digital testing and screening provider, and his team quickly released on of the first at-home COVID-19 tests earlier this year. Jani joins the show to discuss how he’s had to scale his startup amid a pandemic as well as how the health care industry has evolved in these unprecedented times.

In honor of InnovationMap’s second birthday, we’ve decided to turn the tables for this episode. Earlier this week, InnovationMap's editor, Natalie Harms, sat down with Grace Rodriguez, CEO and executive director of Impact Hub Houston, for a virtual fireside chat.

The newest member to Houston's bustling life sciences arena is Fiona Mack, recently named head of JLABS at TMC. Fiona joined the Houston incubator a few months ago and has been focused on getting familiar with the Houston innovation ecosystem. We’ll discuss what she has on her radar right now and what her early impressions of Houston have been.

When starting a business, driving social impact and profits aren't mutually exclusive anymore. Durg Kumar realized that and founded Knightsgate Ventures in Houston in 2018 to invest in companies hitting that sweet spot. Now, along with his business partner, Allen Bryant, Kumar is headed into Knightsgate's second fund.

Introducing The Listies — a new awards program from HX and InnovationMap. Harvin Moore and Serafina Lalany of HX join the show to discuss nominations and what to expect at the event next month.

Ayse McCracken founded the Ignite Healthcare Network to shine a spotlight on female entrepreneurs in the medical world. Join her and 35 startups for a pitch competition like none other — beginning tomorrow, October 22.

Marcelo Cordini, co-founder of December Labs, joins the show to talk about his company — a full-service design and development company with offices in Uruguay and Houston — and what the pandemic has meant for business and the evolution of the workforce.

Seamus Curran, a physics professor at the University of Houston and CEO and founder of Integricote and Curran Biotech, joins the show to discuss his nanotechnology work and a patented coating substance that he has invented and first used in construction industry. Now, he’s using the same technology to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by coating face masks and air filters.

Re:3D was founded to accomplish two goals: grow access to larger-scale 3D printing and seek sustainable options for manufacturing new items. Now, that's exactly what this Houston startup is doing — in its own fun and modern way. Samantha Snabes, co-founder, and Charlotte Craff, who oversees community relations, join the show to share what makes their company different and where the industry is hea...

New to his role of executive director of Rice University’s Liu Idea Lab for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Kyle Judah joins the show to discuss what all is on his to-do list and his first impressions of the Houston innovation ecosystem.