Inno Guides are designed to serve as an onboarding tool for anyone that’s new to the city's ecosystem, as well as a refresher for those looking to learn more about Houston’s startup and tech communities and the resources available to them. If you think we’re missing anything, email us at HoustonInfo@AmericanInno.com.
A critical piece of any startup ecosystem are accelerators and incubators, which help entrepreneurs convert their ideas into successful business ventures and bring them to market.
Accelerator programs are typically fixed-length, structured programs that offer companies access to mentors, business coaching and programming. Accelerators often offer financial support in the form of cash grants, debt, equity or other funding.
Incubators, on the other hand, do not have a fixed cohort length or program requirements, but instead offer an ongoing support system of coaching and connections as entrepreneurs develop their early-stage ventures. An incubator is more like a coworking space-with-benefits; companies have access to office space (often discounted) and office resources, but also connections to the structured guidance of the incubator’s team and network. Some incubators take equity and make seed investments, while others simply provide the benefit of a path to seasoned entrepreneurs and peer startups.
Below is a comprehensive guide to Houston’s accelerator programs and startup incubators.
Founder Institute (2009)
- Length: 14- weeks
- More Info: “The earliest stage accelerator that's not associated with a university. Companies must be in the pre-funding stage of growth, and, while 30 companies will be chosen per cohort, only a fraction will complete the full 14 weeks.”
Fruition Technology Labs (2013)
- About: “Fruition Tech Labs facilitates the transformation of the purpose-driven ideas into technology-based companies. We redevelop the core foundation of a business into a purpose-driven entity. These types of companies have been studied to drive inspiration in employees, loyalty in customers. They are known to be the most profitable and the most competitive in their industry.”
Ion Smart Cities Accelerator (2019)
- Length: 10 months
- About: “The Ion Smart and Resilient Cities Accelerator and Prototyping Lab support selected startups as they develop and deploy technology that connects ideas, people, and communities in Houston. Backed by the Mayor's Office, the City of Houston, Microsoft, Intel, and TX/RX, Houston's non-profit makerspace, the Accelerator launched its first cohort in September 2019 and second cohort in April 2020. Startups in Cohort 1 focus on transportation, mobility, and resiliency solutions. Startups in Cohort 2 focus on air quality, water purification, and clean-tech solutions. Cohort 2's themes complement the City of Houston's Resilient Houston Strategy and Climate Action Plan, further aligning with civic efforts to address the needs of Houston's citizens."
MassChallenge Texas in Houston (2019)
- Length: 4 months
- About “MassChallenge strengthens the global innovation ecosystem by accelerating high-potential startups across all industries, from anywhere in the world for zero-equity taken.”
OwlSpark (2012)
- Length: 12-weeks
- About: “OwlSpark was founded to ignite a passion for entrepreneurship within the Rice community. OwlSpark provides hands-on entrepreneurship experiences and a roadmap from innovation to commercialization. At the intersection of determination, grit, versatility and passion, we have created a family of like-minded thinkers and doers, and built a network that enables entrepreneurs to do cool things that make a difference.”
Plug and Play Tech Center (2006)
- Length: Three months, twice a year
- About: “Since 2006, we’ve been accelerating startups, matchmaking them with corporate clients, and investing in them.”
University of Houston RED Labs (2013)
- Length: 12-week program
- About: “The RED Labs accelerator is an intensive full-time, 12-week program designed to launch and scale your startup as quickly as possible. RED Labs is operated in close collaboration with Rice University's startup accelerator, OwlSpark. Our curriculum provides you invaluable insight on a number of topics including funding, legal considerations, customer discovery, and many others.”
RedHouse Associates (2011)
- About: “RedHouse Associates provides strategic guidance to technology startups to help accelerate growth. We build business strategies, develop product roadmaps, coach management teams, and advise clients on raising capital, acquisitions and strategic exits.”
TMCx Accelerator (2014)
- Length: 4 months
- About: “The TMCx accelerator advances the development of health and medical technology companies by connecting visionary entrepreneurs to the abundant resources of the Texas Medical Center."
Greentown Labs Houston (2021)
North America's largest climatech incubator expanding into Houston in April 2021.
