Editor’s note:Here’s a roundup of the most-read Houston innovation news stories this weekInnovationMap and its daily newsletter feature stories about Houston’s hottest tech and startups, including news of an innovative health tech company, a high-tech fire truck and more.
New health-focused generative AI company opens Houston office, comes out of stealth with $4M in funding
Biostate AI emerged from stealth this week with $4 million in funding and a mission to design AI products that predict changes in human and animal health. Photo via Getty Images
A scalable biodata foundry startup has been launched in secret with $4 million in investment funding and two new healthcare artificial intelligence tools. The company is based in Houston and Palo Alto, California.
Biostate AI was co-founded in 2023 by David Zhang, a former professor and CEO at Rice University. At its launch, the company announced two service products: total RNA sequencing and Copilot for RNAseq data analysis, Biostate revealed in a press release.
“Successful AI training requires large volumes of relevant, high-quality data,” Zhang said in the release. “Biostate AI has developed instrumentation technologies to collect more biological data at a lower cost. We are pleased to offer these capabilities to our partners and collaborators in academia and industry.”
The company has raised over $4 million in venture funding. Keep reading.
Houston tops list of 10 best cities in America
This is a solid ranking for the Bayou City. Photo via Getty Images
In an authoritative new report by Canada-based real estate and tourism marketing advisory firm Resonance Consultancy, Houston has received high marks for its prosperity, loveability and livability.
The annual “America’s Best Cities” report ranks major U.S. cities with populations of over 500,000 on the relative quality of their location, cultural diversity, and economic prosperity. According to the report, these top 100 cities are “powerhouses of the regional, national, and, importantly, global economy.”
Houston ranked 10th on the list, with New York City (1st), Chicago (2nd) and Los Angeles (3rd) taking the coveted top three spots. Keep reading.
Houston health tech startup secures $20M Series A, NIH grant amid clinical trial
VenoStent raises additional funding. Image courtesy of VenoStent
A Houston clinical-stage medical technology company developing an innovative therapeutic device has raised venture capital funding and won a grant from the National Institutes of Health.
VenoStent Inc., which is currently conducting clinical trials for a bioresorbable perivascular wrap, announced the completion of a $20 million Series A round co-led by Good Growth Capital and IAG Capital Partners. The Charleston, South Carolina-based firm also led VenoStent’s 2023 Series A round, which closed last year for $16 million.
In addition, the company $3.6 million A Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant from the NIH, which will help fund a multicenter, 200-patient randomized controlled trial in the United States. Keep reading.
Houston medical leader unveils new hub for cancer-fighting bioengineering
The new collaborative hub will foster research into cell therapy, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology and more. Photo courtesy of tmc.edu
The two Houston organizations recently announced new locations that will focus on developing cell therapies, nanotechnology, cancer vaccines, artificial intelligence and molecular imaging.
Rice University and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center are collaborating to “foster industry growth and advance life-saving technologies” through a newly formed Cancer Bioengineering Collaborative, according to a news release announcing the effort.
Collaboration between the two institutions will include basic and translational cancer research, development of new technologies for cancer detection and treatment, and securing external funding to support further research and training. Keep reading.
Houston Airport Introduces Innovative Fleet of Fire and Rescue Vehicles
High-tech fire engines are ready to be deployed to areas including George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Photo courtesy of Houston Airport
The Houston Airport and Houston Fire Department will be introducing a new fleet of vehicles this summer that will be environmentally friendly and promote health.
Four new Aircraft Rescue Firefighting (ARFF) trucks will be installed at HFD Stations 99 and 92 near IAH. The vehicles were purchased for $4.6 million from the Airport Improvement Fund and will replace a fleet purchased in 2006.
One truck is already in operation at HFD Station 99. The others are expected to be operational by August. Keep reading.
