Startup Hotbed Houston
Cowboys use the term ‘giddyup’ to get moving. It’s a way to push horses to get going. And that’s exactly what Houston is doing when it comes to establishing itself as a startup hotbed. They’re a-movin’.
Houston’s push to become one of America’s top startup destinations and an all-around startup hotbed is working. In fact, Space City made the top 10 on Inc. magazine’s list of the country’s hottest startup cities. Even in the magazine’s list of the 5,000 fastest growing startups in America, Houston boasts a nationally leading 84 companies. The city boasts a 117% growth in revenue from 2016.
“Houston has a burgeoning construction industry that is only rivaled by its burgeoning oil and gas sector,” said Lydia DePillis, the business reporter for the Houston Chronicle.
Moreover, Houston actually led the country in job growth within the construction industry, the Associated General Contractors of America says.
So, now we know Houston is the present and the future of startup launches. But what exactly is it that startup founders see in the city that’s so appealing?
Houston is building a startup hotbed
The Ion. Heard of it? If you’re in the startup scene in Houston, you certainly have. The Ion is set to be one of the biggest innovation centers in the nation and is currently set to finish construction later this year. Located in midtown, The Ion will literally be the city’s central hub, connecting the Texas Medical Center, downtown Houston and midtown.
“The Ion innovation hub will strive to act as a beacon for startup founders and businesspeople all over the world, and it’ll be right here in Houston,” said Gabriella Rowe, the newly announced executive director of The Ion.
Of medicine and science
The Ion’s startups will be just a hop, skip and a jump away from the world’s biggest health network: the Texas Medical Center. This center is the largest district of clinical research not just in the US, but in the world.
If you’re a health-based or science-based startup, Houston’s The Ion will put you within arm’s length of this science and tech city within a city.
Houston is set to undergo a big change
Houston is a commuter city. This has its drawbacks. It’s tougher for low-income citizens to get around. People without cars who rely on the ever-dependable (eye roll) public transportation. The Ion is set to change that. A city built on gigantic expressways and a massive highway system will soon see more connectivity. “This will allow the city to be more demographically inclusive,” said Alison Thacker, chief investment officer at Rice University, which is invested in this endeavor.
“Part of our mission is to generate economic opportunity and excellent jobs for citizens. To create more interactions between our academic institutions, startups and corporate innovators while building an inclusive and diverse community,” Thacker told GrowWire.
