Angel Investing 101
2026-07-21 17:30 - 18:30 (America/Chicago) | Ion – Conference Room 029 – 030, 4201 Main St, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
In a world where only the very wealthy, well connected, and major institutions have access to premium investment opportunities, which have created massive wealth for a small portion of the population, the Innovation Center for Urban Entrepreneurship team believes the key to closing income and wealth gaps globally is to democratize access to opportunities across the investment ecosystem. Join the Innovation Center for Urban Entrepreneurship team for an evening of learning, discussion and possibilities as we explore the basics of angel investing and the role it plays in bringing new products and services to market and the impact it has on wealth and job creation.. At this event, you’ll learn the key components to successfully navigate the critical-path of investing in private, early-stage companies. This session is ideal for the following investment related stakeholders:
Prospective Angel Investors who want to learn more about the world of Angel InvestingInvestment Advisors (RIA/FA) who are looking for alternative investments for their clientsEntrepreneurs who want to learn more about what Angels are looking for in their dealsEntrepreneurs who want to meet/network with Angel Investors
Ion District Investor Activation Program: The Houston Ion District Investor Activation Program along with Urban Capital Network is helping build an equitable climatetech industry capable of rapid deployment by addressing a fundamental challenge: the region’s lack of funding for early-stage climatetech startups, and especially for those led by underrepresented founders. This program from Greentown Labs and the Ion brings early-stage investors from Greater Houston—a region playing a pivotal role in the energy transition—into the fold, offering education on climatetech investing, channeling a pool of capital to young startups, and catalyzing a thriving climatetech investment ecosystem that prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion. If you would like to join the program, please fill out this form, and if you have additional questions, please contact Juliana Bernal Martinez at jbernal@greentownlabs.com.

NASA Tech Talks
2026-07-23 18:00 - 19:00 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
We want HOU! Join us to discover NASA’s toughest tech challenges–and apply your skills and expertise to solve them.In these presentations, occurring the fourth Thursdays of the month, Mr. Montgomery Goforth and other aerospace subject matter experts will discuss the technology development challenges faced by NASA’s Johnson Space Center and the surrounding Aerospace community in our ongoing efforts as the hub of human spaceflight. Presentations will focus on the ways in which these challenges, and the associated opportunities, can be leveraged by Houston’s innovation community.Join us after the talk for drinks and networking at Second Draught!Past NASA Tech Talks have included: Montgomery B. Goforth discussing NASA Intellectual Property suitable for commercialization by small/start-up companies; Jared Daum discussing Orion’s parachutes and risk identification and mitigation that are showstoppers for the spaceflight parachute industry; Kevin Kobylka discussing current Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) capabilities and needs; and Nick Skytland, Chief Technologist at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) and Director of the Business Development and Technology Integration Office. Future NASA Tech Talks will include: dual-use (space/terrestrial) technologies in the areas of:
Avionics / Communication / SensorsRadio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for ultra-long lived wireless sensorsPower Storage and DistributionAutonomous & Robotics SystemsExtra-Vehicular Activity (EVA) SystemsVirtual/Augmented Reality in Human Spaceflight Training & ExecutionHuman Health & Performance / Human Systems Research
About the Speakers Montgomery B. Goforth has more than 40 years of experience as both Engineer and Manager in a variety of highly technical space and defense-related efforts. After working for a small defense contractor specializing in anti-submarine warfare, he joined NASA’s Johnson Space Center in 1990. He has held leadership positions in multiple JSC Directorates and Program Offices. In his current role as Assistant Director of the JSC Engineering Directorate, he has established a framework to better focus Engineering’s efforts towards Human Spaceflight technology and systems development consistent with JSC and Agency goals for exploration. He has used this framework to guide Engineering’s internal investments and external partnerships supporting Lunar and Mars Exploration. Mr. Goforth was born in East Texas, raised in Southern California and Arizona, and graduated from Rice University (BSME 1982, MSME 1987). NASA Tech Talks topics include dual-use (space/terrestrial) technologies and focus areas in:
Avionics / Communication / SensorsRadio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for ultra-long-lived wireless sensorsPower Storage and DistributionAutonomous & Robotics SystemsExtra-Vehicular Activity (EVA) SystemsVirtual/Augmented Reality in Human Spaceflight Training & ExecutionHuman Health & Performance / Human Systems ResearchNASA Intellectual Property suitable for commercialization by small/start-up companiesOrion’s parachutes and risk identification and mitigation strategiesLeveraging Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for ultra-long-lived wireless sensors

Ion Networking with Cup of Joey
2026-07-24 08:30 - 10:30, 2026-07-31 08:30 - 10:30 | Ion – Lobby, 4201 Main St., Houston, 77002, United States
What is the purpose of Cup of Joey? It is to create a connected culture of coffee shop-open networking across our region. Every Friday morning, you’ll have the opportunity to meet new and expand your current networks, talk about tech, inspire innovation, and create community. So, what is the difference between a cup of joe and a Cup of Joe-Y? It is the WHY. It’s not what you do. It is why you do it! At the Ion, these are questions that we want to explore with the tech and innovation community. So, show up, be friendly, and make new connections. Know your why, and we will get to the future together. The future is only a cup away. Register Here: https://www.cupofjoey.org/

SCORE Office Hours
2026-07-24 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-07-31 10:00 - 11:30 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
About SCORE Office Hours SCORE is the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors. Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 11 million entrepreneurs start, grow, or successfully exit a business. SCORE’s 10,000 volunteers provide free, expert mentoring, resources, and education in all 50 U.S. states and territories. Office Hours with SCORE take place each Friday morning. Additional partners will be on-site the second Friday of each month (excluding holidays)

NASA Office Hours
2026-07-31 10:00 - 12:00 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
NASA is bringing its expertise to Houston’s innovation hub! Every other Friday, join us for NASA’s office hours, designed to bridge the gap between Houston’s innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups with NASA’s elite experts, capabilities, and technology.
License the Future: Discover how to utilize NASA-developed technologies and intellectual property for your own Center.Build the Sector: Help us grow Houston’s commercial space
