Unveiling the Finalists for the 2025 Houston Innovation Awards
InnovationMap is buzzing with excitement as we proudly share the finalists for the 2025 Houston Innovation Awards. Set to take place on November 13 at Greentown Labs, this fifth annual celebration will honor the brightest stars in Houston’s innovation ecosystem, including startups, entrepreneurs, mentors, and more.
Meet the Esteemed Judges
This year, an esteemed panel of judges, featuring past award winners and the InnovationMap editorial leadership, has carefully reviewed applications across ten prestigious award categories. The judges are tasked with selecting the winners for each category, while the public will vote for the Startup of the Year, allowing the community to champion their favorite startup.
In coming weeks, we will also announce the recipient of the 2025 Trailblazer Award, designed to honor an individual or organization making significant contributions to Houston’s innovation landscape. Stay tuned as we unveil who will be honored at our live ceremony!
Engage with the Innovation Community
Before the big event, we invite you to dive deeper into the profiles of our finalists through editorial spotlights. This is a chance to get to know them better and understand the incredible innovations being produced in Houston. Don’t forget to join us on November 13 to celebrate and honor all things Houston innovation. Tickets are on sale now — secure yours today!
Finalists by Category
Minority-founded Business
The Minority-founded Business category honors innovative startups founded or co-founded by BIPOC or LGBTQ+ representatives. This year’s finalists are:
- Capwell Services
- Deep Anchor Solutions
- Mars Materials
- Torres Orbital Mining (TOM)
- Wellysis USA
Female-founded Business
Recognizing the contributions of women in entrepreneurship, the Female-founded Business category showcases startups founded or co-founded by women. The finalists include:
- Anning Corporation
- Bairitone Health
- Brain Haven
- FlowCare
- March Biosciences
- TrialClinIQ
Energy Transition Business
In line with global sustainability efforts, the Energy Transition Business category celebrates startups offering innovative solutions in renewables and clean technology. The finalists are:
- Anning Corporation
- Capwell Services
- Deep Anchor Solutions
- Eclipse Energy
- Loop Bioproducts
- Mars Materials
- Solidec
Health Tech Business
In the rapidly evolving sector of health and medical technology, the Health Tech Business category recognizes innovative startups that are making a difference. The finalists include:
- Bairitone Health
- Corveus Medical
- FibroBiologics
- Koda Health
- NanoEar
- Wellysis USA
Deep Tech Business
The Deep Tech Business category honors startups that tackle substantial scientific or engineering challenges, particularly in AI, robotics, and space. This year’s finalists are:
- ARIX Technologies
- Little Place Labs
- Newfound Materials
- Paladin Drones
- Persona AI
- Tempest Droneworx
Startup of the Year (People’s Choice)
The Startup of the Year recognizes outstanding startups celebrating recent milestones or successes. This award will be chosen by public voting, and the finalists are:
- Eclipse Energy
- FlowCare
- MyoStep
- Persona AI
- Rheom Materials
- Solidec
Scaleup of the Year
The Scaleup of the Year category highlights innovative later-stage startups that have recently reached significant growth milestones. Finalists include:
- Coya Therapeutics
- Fervo Energy
- Koda Health
- Mati Carbon
- Molecule
- Utility Global
Incubator/Accelerator of the Year
Recognizing local incubators or accelerators that nurture Houston startups, the Incubator/Accelerator of the Year finalists are:
- Activate
- Energy Tech Nexus
- Greentown Labs
- Healthtech Accelerator (TMCi)
- Impact Hub Houston
Mentor of the Year
The pivotal role of mentorship is highlighted in the Mentor of the Year category, celebrating individuals who dedicate their time and expertise to help budding entrepreneurs. This year’s finalists are:
- Anil Shetty, Inform AI
- Jason Ethier, EnergyTech Nexus
- Jeremy Pitts, Activate
- Joe Alapat, Liongard
- Neal Dikeman, Energy Transition Ventures
- Nisha Desai, Intention
Trailblazer Recipient
Stay tuned for our announcement of the Trailblazer Recipient, chosen for their extraordinary contributions to innovation in Houston.
For those interested in supporting the event, there are sponsorship opportunities available—contact us at sales@innovationmap.com for details.
Join us in celebrating innovation across Houston—mark your calendars for November 13 at Greentown Labs!
