The Ion, Houston’s new innovation hub, launched its Aerospace Innovation Accelerator for Minority Business Enterprises this week.
The four startups selected for the accelerator's inaugural cohort are Axialnics Systems Inc., a platform trying to solve runway inefficiencies and enhance military efficiency; Boozed Beverages LLC, which provides a contactless, AI-driven vending machine to make and dispense cocktails; NANCo Aero, which provides urban air vehicles and drones to different sectors; and Stratos Perception LLC, which develops AI solutions for space systems to benefit human productivity, safety and enterprise
“Aerospace contains a myriad of dimensions, and by demystifying the industry in the form of the AIA for MBEs, we are able to build a more inclusive innovation ecosystem,” said Christine Galib, senior director of programs at The Ion. “It’s our goal to not only support participants to be successful, but to open the playing field for other minority business enterprises hoping to enter the space.”
The accelerator is a 12-week program that will help the startups further develop their innovations, grow their businesses and strengthen relationships utilizing individual mentors, corporate partners and stakeholder networks. The program is part of The Ion’s Aerospace Innovation Hub, which focuses on aerospace innovation through networking, outreach events, education and training.
The Ion received $1.4 million in federal funding in fall 2020 to create its Aerospace Innovation Hub in partnership with NASA's Johnson Space Center and DivInc, an Austin-based nonprofit accelerator aimed at promoting diversity and equity in the startup ecosystem.
“The Aerospace Innovation Hub came from the idea that the aerospace industry is well-known in Houston, but for many people, particularly underrepresented communities, there have been barriers in entering the aerospace industry,” said Jan E. Odegard, executive director of The Ion. “By offering mentorship, introduction to capital and training opportunities, with significant backing from Microsoft, The Ion is working to remove the barriers.”
As part of the Aerospace Innovation Hub, NASA will bring expertise and resources as the startups tackle challenges in the areas of robotics, medicine, health support systems, and advanced materials and manufacturing. DivInc will host lectures and expand the MBE pipeline and mentor network.
The accelerator will have a physical space in The Ion, a 266,000-square-foot facility being developed at 4201 Main St., when the building opens later this year. The Aerospace Innovation Accelerator for Minority Business Enterprises joins three other programs at The Ion’s Accelerator Hub: The Ion Smart and Resilient Cities Accelerator, The Rice Alliance Clean Energy Accelerator and DivInc Houston’s accelerator. The Hub currently serves over 25 startups.
The Ion will feature rentable coworking space for startups, dedicated office space for corporate partners and larger startups, retail space and more. As of December, more than half of The Ion's space had been committed to end users, such as California-based energy giant Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) and Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT). Tenant build-outs have begun, and the building is expected to open around late May or early June, with a celebration expected later this year, a representative recently told the Houston Business Journal.
