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Innovation

Houston is where innovation and industry converge. Ours is a city that chooses to take humankind's boldest challenges head-on, from landing on the moon to developing the first artificial heart. And Houston's innovation ecosystem continues to thrive through programs like TMC Innovation Institute at the Texas Medical Center and spaces like the emerging Innovation District. 

11,200

The Houston metro has 11,200 installed fiber carrier miles as of Q1/21

$32.6 billion

Retail sales topped $32,6 billion in Q3/21.

#5

Houston ranks #5 in the U.S. in Fortune 1000 headquarters

Innovation Corridor

Houston’s Innovation Corridor is at the center of an extraordinarily powerful social and economic convergence. The four-mile-long Corridor is linked by light-rail, bike lanes, and pedestrian thoroughfares, and offers easy access to key industry and institutional players along with an unparalleled array of amenities. It runs from Downtown on the north end, south through Midtown, the Museum District and the Texas Medical Center. 

 

Innovation District

Rice University is currently developing a new innovation district in Midtown. Housed on a 16-acre site anchored by a former Sears building, the hub will bring the area's entrepreneurial, corporate and academic communities together. The nucleus of the Innovation District is The Ion, a nearly 300,000-square-foot structure that serves as a collaborative space for businesses at all stages of the innovation lifecycle. A number of companies and nonprofits have taken up residence in the development.

Houston Tech and Innovation Conversations at SXSW

A Data-Driven Look at Houston's Innovation Ecosystem

The Partnership's Josh Pherigo takes a data-driven look at the current trends in the startup space and the Houston region's momentum in building a thriving innovation ecosystem.

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The Power of Diversity in Innovation

Jan Odegard of The Ion and Ashley DeWalt of DivInc Houston talk about the power of diversity within innovation.

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Corporate Partnerships Drive Innovation in Life Sciences

Fiona Mack of JLABS at TMC discusses how Houston is quickly emerging as a hub for life sciences innovation.

Watch

The Houston Tech Report

This report outlines the tremendous growth in Houston’s tech ecosystem in recent years as evidenced by the expanding workforce as well as startup and venture capital activity. The report also highlights the region’s unique strengths in the sector. 

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Houston Exponential

Houston Exponential is a dynamic organization that serves, organizes, champions and grows the region’s innovation ecosystem. HX is accelerating the development of Houston’s innovation economy, fostering a robust ecosystem that supports high-growth, high-impact startups. HX works to convene the ecosystem, helping to build an innovation district in Houston and attracting talent to the region and promoting Houston’s image, both locally and nationally, as a vibrant, innovative economy where startups thrive.

Houston's Innovation Partners

Related News

Economic Development

Galveston Saw Major Economic Growth in 2022, New Developments on the Horizon

6/1/23
According to its recent Tourism Economic Impact Report, Galveston experienced tremendous economic growth in 2022, surpassing record-breaking numbers. Thriving in the post-pandemic world, the island’s booming tourism sector generated $228.5 million in taxes in 2022, 16.2% more than 2021. Not only did Galveston’s tourism generate a significant amount of hotel occupancy tax revenue, it also contributed $35.2 million in local sales and property tax revenue, accounting for 54% of the City of Galveston’s general fund.   The island welcomed over eight million visitors in 2022, a 25% increase from 2021 and a 10.9% increase from 2019. Driven by strong demand growth and higher prices of commodities, visitors spent a record $1.2 billion in 2022, 27% more than in 2021. Each visitor spent an average of $142 per person compared to $120 in 2019.   Tourism is integral to not only the success of Galveston’s economy, but also its workforce. In 2022, tourism supported nearly 12,000 jobs and sustained 1-in-3 jobs on the island. The number of tourism jobs also climbed 9.9% above 2021.   The world-renowned Port of Galveston was a key player in the island’s success last year. In 2022, The Port of Galveston welcomed one million cruise passengers, marking the first time it has achieved this milestone since before the pandemic. Spending by cruise visitors contributed a total of $80 million in 2022.   As Galveston and its tourism sector drive economic growth, the island and the Port have many new developments on the horizon.  “I’m strongly optimistic about 2023. Thanks to the robust recovery of our cruise business, the Galveston Wharves is poised to make major advances with its capital projects and waterfront infrastructure renovations to bring one of this region’s major economic engines to its full potential,” Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves Port Director and CEO, wrote in a recent newsletter.  Rees expects to break passenger and sailing records with 362 sailings and more than a million cruise passengers this year, which would be a new record in the port’s 22-year history.   Following the establishment of its $125 million Royal Caribbean International cruise terminal, the Port most recently announced the addition of the Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Jubilee and, a $53 million investment dedicated to the expansion of the two-decades-old Cruise Terminal 25. The expansion will help accommodate for the 6,500-guest capacity of the Jubilee and other high-capacity ships. The Carnival Jubilee is set to arrive in December.   Additionally, the Port is working to sign an agreement with MSC Cruises for a public-private project to build a fourth cruise terminal and 1,500-space parking garage at Pier 16.  New hotel and condominium developments are also making headway on the island, such as Tiara on the Beach, a 10-story condominium building inspired by the luxury beachside residences and resorts of Miami. Galveston’s East Beach area is also getting a new full-service, resort style hotel that includes 14 stories, 334 rooms, a pool deck, restaurant, family entertainment center, and conference center.  Learn more about living and working in Houston. 
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Related Events

Demography

Houston DiverseCity Summit

The Greater Houston Partnership invites you to join us as a sponsor for the Houston DiverseCity Summit on Wednesday, October 4. The Summit is more than an event. It is an inspiring one-day convening to…

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Additional Resources

See below for additional resources in Innovation. 

Need more information about Innovation in Houston? Your dedicated team member can help:

  • Assist in site selection analysis
  • Assist in evaluating and applying for incentives
  • Aid in the permitting process
  • Provide data on key business facilities
  • Facilitate and foster key introductions
Looking for the rest of our team?
Partnership Staff
Have someone from our Innovation Strategy Office contact you:
Executive Partners