Startup Circle Houston 💫
2026-06-19 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-06-26 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-07-03 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-07-10 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-07-17 10:30 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | Ion – Lobby, 4201 Main St., Houston, 77002, United States
Startup Circle Houston 💫 brings together founders, teammates, experts and newbies of startups in Greater Houston! Past topics include: Traction + Funding Stage Identification – What stage are you really at?ICP – Seeking your beachhead marketProblem Identification – Love the problem, not the solutionBootstrapping – Knowing your runway and not putting money on fire. 🔥Founder capacity, 10xing and recruiting for your weaknesses. 🚀
LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/16537030/

Houston Methodist Office Hours
2026-06-19 10:30 - 12:30 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Join us at the Houston Methodist Tech Hub at Ion on select Friday mornings for Office Hours to meet with the Center for Innovation team. Do you have an idea for an innovative healthcare solution? Do you work on technology in another industry that could be applicable to healthcare? Do you want to learn more about how hospital systems work with innovators? Come meet with us!

Starting and Running Your Nonprofit
2026-06-24 11:00 - 12:15 | Online Event
Learn the ins and outs of starting and running your own nonprofit organization from the comfort of your home!

Welcome to the Starting and Running Your Nonprofit event! Join us online for a comprehensive guide on how to establish and manage a successful nonprofit organization. Learn about fundraising, marketing, legal requirements, and more from industry experts. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve your existing nonprofit, this event is perfect for you. Don’t miss this opportunity to make a difference in your community!

NASA Tech Talks
2026-06-25 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
2026-06-26 08:30 - 10:30, 2026-07-03 08:30 - 10:30, 2026-07-10 08:30 - 10:30, 2026-07-17 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/

NASA Office Hours
2026-07-03 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

Buying and Selling Businesses
2026-07-08 17:30 - 19:00 | Ion – Conference Room 029 – 030, 4201 Main St, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Join Lenny Saizan, owner of Murphy Business & Financial – Southwest Houston, Managing Director of Urban Capital Network, and creator of the Legacy Maximizer exit strategy, for a practical, real-world discussion on selling and buying businesses. Selling or acquiring a business is one of the most significant financial decisions most entrepreneurs will ever make, yet many owners and buyers go through the process for the first time without a clear roadmap. This session breaks down the transaction process from both sides of the table and highlights how thoughtful planning, proper valuation, and coordinated advice can materially impact outcomes. For business owners, the discussion centers on how to maximize enterprise value, prepare for a future exit, and align business decisions with personal wealth, tax, and legacy goals. For buyers, the session explores entrepreneurship through acquisition, including how buying an existing business can reduce risk, generate immediate cash flow, and serve as a growth strategy for current operators. Drawing on his experience as a business broker, investment advisor, and financial professional, Lenny connects the technical aspects of M&A with broader exit planning and wealth strategy considerations, helping attendees understand not just how transactions work, but how they fit into a bigger financial picture. Topics include:
Current market conditions and buyer demandWhen to prepare to sell or buyKey drivers of business valueHow businesses are valued in the real worldRecasting and normalizing financial statementsOverview of the sales and acquisition processThe role of advisors and the deal teamTax, insurance, and planning considerations before and after a transaction
This session is ideal for business owners considering a sale now or in the future, prospective buyers exploring acquisition, and professionals who support small business owners through growth and transition. Presenter
Lenny Saizan is the owner and lead broker of Murphy Business & Financial – Southwest Houston, where he advises business owners on exit planning, value maximization, and business sales, and supports buyers pursuing acquisitions and franchises. He is also the co-founder and Managing Director of Urban Capital Network, an investment firm focused on expanding access to private investment opportunities. Earlier in his career, Lenny spent two decades in engineering, automation, and oil and gas, leading teams across operational controls, financial controls, and audit. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Louisiana State University and an MBA from Tulane University. His credentials include Certified Mergers & Acquisition Professional, Six Sigma Green Belt, and Project Management Professional. In 2025, he was recognized as Deal Maker of The Year at Houston Dealmakers conference.

Upstream: Digital Tech Meetup at Second Draught
2026-07-09 17:30 - 20:00 | Second Draught, 4201 Main St. Suite 130, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Register here: https://luma.com/timbergrove Upstream: Digital Tech Meetup – Monthly Social 🍻 No stage. No slides. No panels. Just upstream operators, engineers, founders, and digital leaders getting together over beer and pizza. This is the informal side of the Upstream Digital Tech community. A casual, vendor-light happy hour for people navigating digital change in oil and gas and wanting real conversations. It’s not a presentation. It’s not a pitch are.Bring a

How to Start a Nonprofit Webinar
2026-07-14 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-08-11 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-09-15 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-10-13 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-11-10 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-12-08 11:00 - 12:00 | Online Event
Learn the essential steps to start your nonprofit. Join our monthly Tuesday webinar and get clear guidance on launching successfully.

Join Our Monthly Live Webinar!
Are you considering starting a nonprofit? Join our weekly online session hosted by the Executive Service Corps of Houston (ESCH) to learn the essential steps to launch and operate a successful organization. This webinar is designed to provide clear guidance on the process, helping you move forward with confidence.
During this session, you will learn:

Key steps to legally establish a nonprofit organization
How to conduct a feasibility study and define your mission
Differences between nonprofit and for-profit operations
Requirements for IRS Form 1023 and tax-exempt status
Best practices for building a strong organizational foundation

Who Should Attend:

Individuals exploring the idea of starting a nonprofit
Community leaders and volunteers ready to take action
Anyone seeking clarity on nonprofit requirements and processes

Hosted by ESCH, a trusted nonprofit consulting organization with years of experience supporting Houston-area nonprofits, this webinar is your first step toward creating meaningful impact in your community.

Rice Tech Transfer Office Hours
2026-07-17 10:00 - 11:30 | Ion, 4201 Main Street, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Have an idea, startup, or company looking for innovative technology? Meet with the Rice University Office of Technology Transfer during office hours at The Ion to explore how university research can power your next breakthrough. Our team works with startups, entrepreneurs, and established companies to help commercialize cutting-edge technologies developed at Rice. During these office hours, you can: Discover Available Technologies – Learn about Rice innovations available for licensing across fields like health, energy, engineering, and forward.Explore Collaboration Opportunities – Discuss potential partnerships with Rice researchers and ways to turn research into real-world products. Whether you’re building a startup, scouting new technology, or exploring research partnerships, stop by and connect with our team. Come with a question, leave with a path to commercialization. Stay connected and hear about new technologies available for licensing: https://mailchi.mp/rice/new-email-signup-page
