As a hub for medical device manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and health research, Houston has more than 1,760 life sciences companies, cutting-edge health care facilities and research institutions. The healthcare and life sciences industries collectively employ over 394,500 workers, making these larger than Houston’s energy sector. The region’s growth in employment, high concentration of key scientists, National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, quality and quantity of educational intuitions, and medical research and health services institutions make this one of the largest centers of medicine and related science in the world. 

Houston is home to the largest medical center in the world—Texas Medical Center (TMC). Home to the brightest minds in medicine, TMC nurtures cross-institutional collaboration, creativity and innovation through its 61 member institutions. From some of the world’s leading hospitals to the top research facilities, Houston institutions are making an impact worldwide. 

In the field of health and medical technology, the Texas Medical Center’s Innovation Institute coordinates the efforts of several life science-focused incubator and accelerator programs. The organization aims to help startup companies commercialize new medical technologies by providing access to the vast resources of the world’s largest medical center.

Venture capital and private equity investment in Houston life science startups totaled more than $500 million in 2021. Additionally, the TMC Venture Fund aims to invest $25 million in early stage health care tech companies in Houston.