The University of Houston and Rice University continue their 11-year collaboration to support Houston entrepreneurship by announcing the latest cohort of their startup and small business accelerators, RED Labs and OwlSpark. This summer, the accelerators will host their ventures at the Ion, the heart of the Houston innovation corridor in Midtown.
By combining forces, the University of Houston and Rice University provide tailored support to emerging startups and small businesses, enhancing Houston’s position as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. This partnership creates an environment that cultivates entrepreneurs and early-stage startup teams, enabling founders to share ideas, experience the value of collaboration, and surround themselves with the best people and resources.
Over 11 weeks, 18 startup and small business teams will work in an immersive experience combining supportive founders, industry leaders, investors, mentors, unrivaled entrepreneurial training, and an invitation to Houston’s thriving entrepreneurship ecosystem. The cohort encompasses a diverse range of sectors, reflecting the dynamic landscape of Houston’s economy.
The Ion—Houston’s innovation hub powered by Rice University—offers collaborative spaces and a community where ideas can grow. The accelerator allows teams to access mentors, training, and coworking space, making it ideal for driving innovation and collaboration.
OwlSpark and RED Labs, originally founded in 2013, are known for their commitment in supporting founders and driving innovation at UH and Rice. OwlSpark, Rice’s startup and small business accelerator supporting students, faculty, and alumni, supported 97 ventures, raising nearly $106 million in total funding. And RED Labs, housed within the C. T. Bauer College of Business, is UH’s startup accelerator program and was instrumental in helping students, faculty and recent alumni accelerate their business ideas.
These accelerator programs conclude with the Bayou Startup Showcase on August 1, during which participants will showcase their ventures to the Greater Houston community.
University of Houston RED Labs Class 12
- Root Planters – Develops smart indoor plant care devices designed to prevent plant death by providing automatic watering personalized for busy individuals and gardeners looking to maintain plant health with minimal effort.
- Burb Groceries – An online grocery retailer for people with chronic health conditions.
- That Dude’s Bakehouse – Offers premium and half-pound cookies, combining choice ingredients and craftsmanship with the mission of being the best part of somebody’s day
- Mulligan Bandit – Aiming to redefine golf fashion, offering affordable yet high-quality clothing that seamlessly transitions from the fairway to the streets, reflecting personal style while ensuring durability and comfort.
- Surreal Vision – Provides immersive mixed reality solutions that provide dynamic visualization experiences to enhance design collaboration and client presentations.
- Agave Catering – A catering company that provides high-quality, gourmet boxed lunches for professionals on the go.
- Digitally Marie – A purposeful creative agency dedicated to reducing the opportunity gap for female entrepreneurs.
- Unison – A personal contact relationship management tool that alleviates the risk of data loss and helps to build more meaningful professional and personal relationships.
- Brain-eNet – A platform that provides hardware and software tools to enable the development of brain-controlled Internet of Things applications.
- Pasha Blend Collection – Specializes in creating modern skincare products that embody purity, authenticity, and inclusivity.
- Arresting Motion – A brand strategy design consultancy and marketing agency that transforms Houston’s top real estate firms into the brands they deserve.
- CalliDanna – A consulting company that coaches girls 12 to 18 to help improve their lives professionally and personally.
Rice University OwlSpark Class 12
- EcoFleet Solutions – Provides rechargeable electric power units for semitrucks, powering air conditioning and cabin functions during stops without engine idling, cutting fuel costs, maintenance and emissions.
- Houston Community Print Shop – Provides printmaking classes and equipment access, focusing on community building and supporting underserved areas.
- KOQ Agency – Organizes global tours and live entertainment opportunities for queer and ally artists in drag, music, and entertainment.
- Euvivo Diagnostics – Developing a direct-to-consumer test tailored for individuals with mitochondrial disorders that analyzes cell aging by examining mitochondrial performance and new aging markers.
- Hair Hub – Offers a compilation of styling tutorials, educational content, planning tools, and a comprehensive database of products tailored for Black hair, providing users with resources for cost-efficient DIY haircare.
- aiis – A compression-as-a-service platform that democratizes access to LLMs (Large Language Models) by making them faster, more private, cost-effective, and accessible to businesses of all sizes.
KEY QUOTES:
“The collaboration the University of Houston has with Rice University gives founders in RED Labs and OwlSpark a unique opportunity to grow along their peers in the larger Houston community and really exemplifies the spirit of collaboration that the Houston business ecosystem is known for. It never fails to surprise me at the end of the summer the relationships built, the support systems created and collaborations produced across our universities. By working together, we empower the next generation of entrepreneurs to work together as they turn their visions into reality and drive positive change in the community.”
- Managing Director of RED Labs Liana Gonzalez-Schulenberg
“We’re celebrating more than just an 11-year partnership; we’re recognizing a dynamic alliance that has been instrumental in fostering entrepreneurship and propelling Houston to the forefront of innovation. This partnership exemplifies our dedication to cultivating a thriving environment where entrepreneurs can connect, grow and succeed surrounded by unparalleled resources and support. We are incredibly excited to see these new ventures grow as they join our growing network and are thrilled to host our cohorts at the Ion, positioning us at the core of our city’s vibrant innovation landscape.”
Managing Director of OwlSpark Jessica Fleenor
