The Ion — Local services in Houston

ION has established itself as the icon to drive Energy Transition, and a coalition place for startup companies.

Once a month, NASA hosts a workshop to highlight space technologies ready to commercialize for civil applications. Then on certain Saturdays, the Robotics group host a family half-day family robotics time. The Lymbar restaurant on site is a must try if you ever visit ION.

The upcoming September 9 -14, the Inaugural Energy Transition Summit gives you a flavor of what ION is about. ^_^

September 09 -Enabling Energy Transition with technology solutions of the future -Official Houston Energy & Climate Startup Week Kickoff Panel and Party at the Ion -Dynamo x BloombergNEF Happy Hour

September 10 -Chevron Studio at the Ion: Chevron’s Innovation “Matchmaker” A fireside chat between Chevron strategic relationship manager Lynn Rouse and Aquanta Vision Founder & CEO Babur Ozden -MCJ LIVE Startup Series: Zach Dell, Base Power, at the Ion Activate Meet the Cohort Houston's 11 inaugural Fellows and discover the innovative technologies their companies are driving forward. -Cemvita – Climate Innovation Happy Hour -AMA Houston Marketing Mixer -Invite-Only: T3 – An Evening Discussing Energy Transition with TEX-E & TPH -Climate Tech Cocktails X New Climate Ventures: H-Town

September 11 -Semi-Private: Female Founders in Climate Tech: a roundtable breakfast -Scaling the Energy Transition: A Fireside Chat with Amperon CEO and Co-Founder Sean Kelly and Powerhouse Ventures -Greentown Labs: Stories of Climate Impact From Schools to Startups at Greentown Labs -Carbon Cafe - a groundbreaking exploration of carbon capture and utilization technologies and their pivotal role in addressing climate change. -Electric Ai Day at the Esperson Building in downtown Houston for the opportunity to discover the latest developments in AI and to ask experts how AI fits into your startup roadmap -Invite-Only: GCV Connect – Houston, Corporate Venture Investor Gathering -Beyond the Grid: Maximizing Additionality in Corporate -Renewable Energy Purchases -Invite-Only: Rice Alliance Investor + Startup Office Hours at Rice University -MCJ, A conversation with OXY CEO, Vicki Hollub, at the ION -CleanTech Virtual Power Plants & Distribution Grids -Digital Wildcatters Energy Tech Night -Semi-Private: Seeds of Hope {Women Navigating Climate Change -Biomanufacturing and the Energy Transition

September 12 -5k Run for Climate, hosted by DexMat -Rice Alliance Energy Tech Venture Forum at JW Marriott Houston Downtown -WEN Houston Chapter Houston Social -Invite-Only: Climatech Networking Reception Sponsored by MKB + Pillsbury -Halliburton Labs Finalist Pitch Day at the Ion -Greentown Labs Climate Impact...

I recently visited the ION District in downtown Houston, and I was thoroughly impressed by the overall experience, starting with the parking situation. Downtown parking can often be tricky, but ION makes it easy. Their event pages (through platforms like Eventbrite) and their website clearly highlight parking options, which is essential when navigating the city. They also offer contactless payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay, which was a lifesaver when I forgot my wallet. Entering and exiting the garage was seamless.

The ION building itself is exceptional. It offers a unique mix of workspaces, coffee spots, and restaurants, making it an ideal place for professionals to gather. One of the things I immediately noticed was how safe and inviting the space felt, unlike other areas of downtown. The district seems to be designed for professionals, and I appreciated the absence of the usual downtown challenges such as homelessness or other distractions.

I attended the ION District for a networking event called Cup of Joey, as a keynote speaker and career coach looking to network with other professionals. I attend many networking events, and I must say, this one stood out. Instead of the usual “Hello, my name is…” tags, they encouraged attendees to introduce themselves with “Hello, my purpose is…”. This was such a fresh and meaningful way to connect, sparking deeper conversations and genuine connections.

Throughout the event, I met an amazing range of people: authors, digital marketers, college students aspiring to start their own businesses, and seasoned entrepreneurs. The environment was welcoming, and it was easy to strike up conversations. I loved that they even had breakout sessions to make networking more efficient.

One of the coolest parts of the ION District is their Prototyping Lab. The space featured robots and clever signage, like a note warning us to keep the doors closed because the robots are “always trying to escape!” It added a fun touch to an already inspiring atmosphere.

For entrepreneurs like myself, the ION offers workspaces that can be rented on a subscription basis, which I found to be a great option. Many U of H students also frequent the space to work or study in a more innovative and refreshing setting.

If you’re looking for a great networking opportunity, I highly recommend Cup of Joey, held every Friday morning from 8:30 to 10:30. It’s a fantastic way to meet new people, explore exciting ideas, and connect with professionals in a meaningful way.

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Update

The Worst Experience

Security Was Following & Timing Me In The Bathroom, Came Inside & Tried To Force Me Out. Black Women... & Said I Was Tresspassing For Using The Facilities & Tried To Call The Police On Me. They Brought A White Male Into The Restroom, Lied To Him & Said I Was Unresponsive. I Was In The Bathroom & They Brought In A Man. If This Is Innovation, Let It Die .

The People That Come To This Place Do Not Have Respect For Individuals Who Are Less Fortunate & Very Snobbish If They Believe You Are So. This Is Terrible.

However, The Facility Is Very Nice & Adds Value As A Community Hub.

Honestly, I Am Having A Hard Time Keeping This Place As A Place I Continue Go, As This Has Now Happened On More Than One Occasion. Respect For Other People Is Extremely Important. No Matter Who They Are To You & Your Status & Rank In Society. This Is Lesson Number One.

They Need To Instruct Their Security On How To Conduct Themselves With Respect. The Hours Of Operation Are Wrong On Google. I Came Over The Weekend Expecting It Was Open. My Phone Died On The Way & I Use Public Transportation. Once I Found Out They Were Closed, I Needed To Make Other Arrangements Quickly. I Tried To Charge My Phone As It Was An Emergency & Was Completely Disrespected By Security... As If A Moment To Make Sure I Did Not End Up On A Milk Carton Was Just Too Much.

Great Urban Concept. Well Done To That Effort, But This...