OPEN Houston

OPEN Houston OPEN Houston is a platform encompassing entrepreneurs, investors, creators Driving Houston's entrepreneurship and innovation. Convenes every 2 months.

Connecting entrepreneurs, investors, and experts. Building an ecosystem to innovate, launch, and grow. OHC
OHC is OPEN Houston's annual conference, which centers around the development of Houston's entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems. BPC
OPEN's Business Plan Competition occurs during OHC. Startups compete for over $10,000 in prize money, and gain access to angel investors, VCs, and mentors

from OPEN's network. OPEN has awarded over $40,000 in the BPC's 3 year history. ENTREPRENEURSHIP ROUNDTABLE
A forum for entrepreneurs and startups to seek real world advice and funding. Moderated by Kemal Farid, VC and Managing Director at BlueVine Ventures. ECOSYSTEM
Get access to investors, mentors, and accelerators that support entrepreneurs in meaningful ways. EMERGING LEADERS
Supporting students, and young entrepreneurs and professionals with networking, education, and mentorship programs. MENTORSHIP
Matching high potential students and young professionals with OPEN's Charter Membership in a structured development program.

We invite you to our upcoming AI Roundtable! Our event speaker is Mehrab Momin, Founder of aiCTO Services. As the founde...
02/12/2026

We invite you to our upcoming AI Roundtable!

Our event speaker is Mehrab Momin, Founder of aiCTO Services. As the founder of aiCTO.services, he serves as a Fractional AI CTO for startups and growth-stage companies, helping teams move from idea to working AI products in weeks through practical, ex*****on-focused leadership. He has led engineering, product, and AI initiatives across SaaS, fintech, industrial, healthcare, and real-estate technology.

Mehrab is a veteran product and engineering leader with over two decades of experience building complex, scalable software systems and transforming organizations through AI-native solutions.

Join us for an interactive 90-minute AI Roundtable workshop on Friday, February 20th at 9am CT, designed for business owners, innovators, and technology leaders who want to improve productivity and drive better business.

In This Interactive Session, Mehrab will:

- Clarify what “AI-native” really means for modern businesses

- Walk through how a service business can run with AI as the ex*****on layer

- Explore where human judgment must stay in the loop—and why

- Show how these systems can be productized and scaled with trust intact

While examples may include client service businesses, this discussion is relevant for any leader thinking about AI strategy, operational leverage, and long-term impact. This is a practical, no-hype conversation for business owners and executives who care about building things that last.


🎟️ Link to register and purchase a ticket is in the bio.

Members: Included with your membership

Non-Members: $25

The energy in the room at our latest OPEN Houston Entrepreneurship Roundtable was truly inspiring. Thoughtful questions,...
02/08/2026

The energy in the room at our latest OPEN Houston Entrepreneurship Roundtable was truly inspiring. Thoughtful questions, real talk, and deep discussion—all reflecting the strength and vibrancy of Houston’s entrepreneurial community.

During the conversation, founders dug into key milestones along the entrepreneurial journey.

🚀 From launch to scale — we explored how founders can time their go-to-market strategy, protect their IP and ideas, evaluate when to pivot, and grow sales beyond their immediate network.

This quarterly series is part of an ongoing collaboration between OPEN Houston and The Ion, designed to strengthen Houston’s innovation ecosystem and support founders at every stage. If you’re building, growing, or just getting started, we’d love to have you join us next time.

🚀 Unlock Your Leadership Potential at the Emerging Leaders Retreat! 🎯Are you ready to elevate your leadership game and a...
02/19/2025

🚀 Unlock Your Leadership Potential at the Emerging Leaders Retreat! 🎯

Are you ready to elevate your leadership game and accelerate your career? Join us for an exclusive Emerging Leaders Retreat at Topgolf on February 22nd from 10 AM to 2 PM – a dynamic experience designed to inspire, empower, and connect future changemakers like you!

🔥 What’s in Store?
✅ Lead with Impact – Master the skills to drive meaningful transformation in your industry.
✅ Accelerate Your Career – Gain expert insights to fuel your leadership journey.
✅ Network & Collaborate – Connect with ambitious professionals while enjoying friendly competition at Topgolf!

💡 Don’t miss this chance to invest in yourself, build powerful connections, and have an unforgettable experience.

📅 Spots are limited—Register NOW! → https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1128334401569

Tag a fellow leader who should be there! 👇🏆

Get ready for a weekend of personal growth, connection, and fun at the OPEN Houston 2025 Emerging Leaders Retreat!

🚀 **Sign Up Today for the Annual Emerging Leaders Retreat!** 🎯  Are you ready to take your leadership skills to the next...
01/29/2025

🚀 **Sign Up Today for the Annual Emerging Leaders Retreat!** 🎯

Are you ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? Join us at **Topgolf on February 22nd from 10 AM to 2 PM** for an inspiring **Emerging Leaders Retreat** designed to elevate your career and impact!

📌 **What to Expect:**
✅ **Leading Others to Transformative Impact** – Learn how to drive meaningful change.
✅ **Career Growth & Leadership Development** – Gain insights to accelerate your professional journey.
✅ **Networking & Team-Building** – Connect with like-minded leaders while enjoying some friendly competition at Topgolf!

Don't miss this opportunity to invest in yourself, sharpen your leadership skills, and have a great time!

📅 **Register Today & spread the word!** See you there! 💡🏆

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1128334401569?aff=oddtdtcreator

Swinging into leadership! 🏌️‍♂️ The annual OPEN Emerging Leaders' Retreat returns on Sat Feb 22nd in Houston to empower ...
01/04/2025

Swinging into leadership! 🏌️‍♂️ The annual OPEN Emerging Leaders' Retreat returns on Sat Feb 22nd in Houston to empower early career professionals with insights from inspiring leaders. 🌟 Save the Date and watch this space for more details!

01/21/2024
Join us at the Upcoming Emerging Leaders Retreat! Get ready to be inspired by an incredible roster of industry leaders. ...
01/06/2024

Join us at the Upcoming Emerging Leaders Retreat!
Get ready to be inspired by an incredible roster of industry leaders.

This year, we're thrilled to feature:

-Liana Gonzalez-Schulenberg from Red Labs
-Janey Rizvi at the helm of Minilith
-Asma Mirza leading Steradian Technologies
-Scotty Shaw, CTO at the European Commission

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from the best and connect with fellow emerging leaders. Sign up now and spread the word to your friends - let's make this retreat an unforgettable experience together!

Last chance to join OPEN Houston & Ibn Sina Foundation for a special Charter Member Luncheon. Network, dine, and explore...
12/01/2023

Last chance to join OPEN Houston & Ibn Sina Foundation for a special Charter Member Luncheon. Network, dine, and explore business opportunities in an exclusive gathering.

🗓️ Limited spots. Learn how you can secure your invite on openhouston.org

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At OPEN Houston our mission is to be a driver of entrepreneurship and innovation across Greater Houston. We are building an ecosystem by connecting entrepreneurs, investors, and experts across a variety of fields.

Here is a list of our events and initiatives:

OHC OHC is our annual conference, which centers around the development of Houston's entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems. OHC Pitch OPEN's Business Plan Competition occurs during OHC. Startups compete for over $10,000 in prize money, and gain access to angel investors, VCs, and mentors from OPEN's network. OPEN has awarded over $50,000 in the BPC's 4 year history. ENTREPRENEURSHIP ROUNDTABLE A forum for entrepreneurs and startups to seek real world advice and funding. The forum convenes every 2 months at the offices of Chamberlain Hrdlicka in downtown Houston. The forum is moderated by Kemal Farid, serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist at BlueVine Ventures. Kemal was previously founder of Merrick Systems, whose software is used in 20% of all oil and gas wells around the globe. EMERGING LEADERS INITIATIVE Supporting students, and young entrepreneurs and professionals with networking, education, and mentorship programs. OPEN HOUSTON ECOSYSTEM Getting in touch with us to get access to investors, mentors, and accelerators that support entrepreneurs in meaningful ways