Where

Why the Bayou City?

There is no place more crucial or strategic to the world’s energy business. The greater Houston area has an entire eco-system that does not exist anywhere else in the world with the resources needed to build successful energy technology companies including:

Access to Capital:
Houston has one of the country's strongest angel networks, several energy-focused venture firms, and the corporate headquarters of the largest energy companies in the world.

Access to Community & Collaborators:
We have investors, entrepreneurs, customers, suppliers and executives from the world's largest and technology savvy energy companies here in Houston. Better yet, all of these groups are engaged and involved in the program. We have also brought in the top leading service providers to serve as pro-bono advisors for key business management activities including: company formation and legal documents, website hosting, recruiting and human resources, IT infrastructure for email, website set up and hosting, brand development, financial planning, banking, press support, and free software.

Access to Customers:
Home to more than 5,000 energy-related firms, Houston is "The "Energy Capital of the World." Houston hosts many of the world's largest energy and supporting service companies' headquarters. Houston is third among metropolitan statistical areas in the number of Fortune 500 headquarters. In fact, Texas is now tied with California for the state with the most Fortune 500 headquartered companies.

Access to Talent:
Houston's labor market is second to none. Recognitions include:

• #4 in US hottest labor markets (Bizjournals.com - October 16, 2009)

• #1 highest level of entrepreneurial activity among largest metro areas (Kauffman Foundation of Entrepreneurship - May 2010)

• "Best City to Get Ahead" based upon high wages relative to low cost of living, low unemployment and number of Forbes Best Big Companies and Best Small Companies located in the area (Forbes, June 2009)

• #1 largest IT service economy (Onforce, Inc. (VoIP Monitor) – December 5, 2008).

Access to Commercialization (New Energy):
Houston is not only the leader in traditional energy; it is also the leader in renewable and alternative energy development. It was designated as one of the top 10 cities for green technology innovation. The City of Houston is the number one municipal purchaser of green power in the nation, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The city also is the largest U.S. municipal purchaser of wind energy. Texas is the #1 state in wind power generation-producing 26% of the country's wind power. Houston leads nano-technology innovation and in the deregulation of the utility market and has the largest distribution of smart meters in the country.