Meet the Top 10 Disruptive Tech Companies in Houston

10 Top Tech Companies in Houston

1. Axess Corrosion – Corrosion Monitoring
2. Cellen – Hydrogen-powered Drones
3. Zecurity – Zero-write Cybersecurity
4. READTYCH – Three-screen E-reader
5. KnovelCam – Portable X-ray Imaging
6. MySwimEdge – Swimming Analytics
7. Allthenticate – Authentication & Access Control
8. iNitrile – Automatic Glove Dispenser
9. NANCo Aero – Hybrid Personal Air Vehicle
10. Tempest Droneworx – 3D Multispectral Maps

Discovering the 10 Top Startups in Houston

This data is sourced from StartUs Insights’ Discovery Platform, which includes 4.7 million startups, scaleups, and tech companies worldwide. Filters like location, founding year, technology readiness, and employee count narrowed our list to 1700+ emerging companies in Houston. From these, we selected 10 innovative startups based on funding information and a unique popularity metric called Signal Strength. Signal Strength gauges the influence of a company within the global innovation ecosystem. Let’s dive in!

1. Axess Corrosion

• Founding Year: 2020
• Industry: Oil & Gas
• Technology: Corrosion Monitoring

Axess Corrosion offers advanced corrosion monitoring solutions that integrate into various industrial environments. The company’s technology includes the Janus range, which combines process measurements with customizable alarm systems to monitor corrosion and erosion in real-time. These systems offer data collection through tools like electrical resistance (ER) probes and non-intrusive ultrasonic sensors. It enables early detection of corrosion events and reduces the risk of costly failures. Axess Corrosion’s solutions enhance operational reliability and protect critical infrastructure from corrosion-related damage.

2. Cellen

• Founding Year: 2019
• Industry: Cross-Industry
• Technology: Hydrogen-powered Drones

Cellen provides hydrogen-powered drones that enhance the efficiency of drone operations across various industries. The company’s drones utilize hydrogen as a power source which offers more than two hours of continuous flight time. It reduces the need for frequent battery swaps. This technology is built on an open-source ecosystem to ensure compatibility with widely used payloads and make operations more cost-effective and reliable. Cellen’s drones are beneficial for tasks such as infrastructure inspection, asset monitoring, and mapping and are also a sustainable, zero-emissions solution.

3. Zecurity

• Founding Year: 2022
• Industry: Information Technology
• Technology: Zero-write Cybersecurity

Zecurity develops zero-write cybersecurity solutions that protect enterprises from malware and ransomware. The company’s suite of products, including Hardwall for SCADA systems and Zecure Sweeper for cloud-based malware detection, integrates with other cybersecurity tools. Zecure Scanner protects against web-borne threats. The company’s technology combines software logic with immutable firmware to detect and block malicious code before it infiltrates a network. This eliminates the need for constant updates or maintenance as the security measures are embedded at the hardware level which prevents any external modification.

4. READTYCH

• Founding Year: 2021
• Industry: EdTech
• Technology: Three-screen E-reader

READTYCH offers e-tablet, a three-screen e-reader advancing education by enhancing multitasking and interactivity in digital learning. The e-tablet utilizes advanced triple e-ink fusion (TEF) technology across its three foldable screens that offer a glare-free, paper-like reading experience and remain legible in all lighting conditions. This design allows students to compare resources side by side, organize notes, and interact with educational content in a dynamic and immersive way. Further, the e-tablet incorporates features such as ScriptEase AI handwriting recognition, which converts handwritten notes into digital text. The PageFlow Multitasking Interface enables easy navigation between multiple pieces of content. This e-tablet fosters creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration while reducing the environmental impact of paper-based learning tools.

5. KnovelCam

• Founding Year: 2020
• Industry: Healthcare
• Technology: Portable X-ray Imaging

KnovelCam develops portable X-ray imaging systems, KnovelCam Plus, and KnovelCam Pro. These systems combine ultralight, ergonomic hardware with wireless, grid-independent technology. These X-ray cameras are compact, lightweight, and user-friendly, allowing integration into settings such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and remote locations. KnovelCam’s technology captures high-resolution images quickly while minimizing radiation exposure. This system integrates the images into KnovelPACS, a cloud-based picture archiving and communication system (PACS) that ensures secure data storage. It improves workflow efficiency and speeds up diagnosis and treatment by reducing the need for patient transport to fixed imaging facilities. This portable solution supports rapid decision-making, optimizes patient care, and extends high-quality diagnostic imaging capabilities to settings like rural clinics to military triage and outpatient care.

6. MySwimEdge

• Founding Year: 2021
• Industry: SportsTech
• Technology: Swimming Analytics

MySwimEdge offers swimming analytics technology that uses a single sensor to measure key parameters of a swimmer’s technique. The sensor, worn on the waist, captures detailed data on each stroke, including speed, stroke rate, and distance per stroke. This data is then analyzed and presented through an app that offers swimmers and coaches insights into performance. The technology tracks left and right arm strokes separately, analyzes speed consistency, and identifies areas for improvement in real-time. MySwimEdge allows swimmers to enhance their technique with performance improvement through data-driven insights.

7. Allthenticate

• Founding Year: 2019
• Industry: Information Technology
• Technology: Authentication & Access Control

Allthenticate offers an authentication and access control solution that integrates physical and digital security into a single platform. The company’s technology leverages smartphones as the central credential management tool to enable secure access to doors, computers, and websites without the need for passwords. Allthenticate eliminates centralized database risks and phishing attacks while allowing for easy setup and low maintenance utilizing advanced bluetooth low energy and public-key cryptography. The platform’s features include integration with existing systems, multi-factor authentication, and over-the-air updates. The company unifies access control, enhances security, and reduces IT overhead, aiding organizations to manage security with better efficiency and resilience.

8. iNitrile

• Founding Year: 2020
• Industry: Healthcare
• Technology: Automatic Glove Dispenser

iNitrile develops an automated glove dispenser to enhance hygiene, efficiency, and safety in various industries primarily for healthcare. The dispenser automates the process of applying gloves and reduces the time required for this task to under a few seconds. It also ensures full sterilization and minimizes the risk of contamination. This technology offers real-time monitoring of glove usage that simplifies stock management and tracks regulatory compliance. iNitrile improves operational efficiency by reducing glove waste and enhancing traceability.

9. NANCo Aero

• Founding Year: 2021
• Industry: Cross-Industry
• Technology: Hybrid Personal Air Vehicle

NANCo Aero offers hybrid personal air vehicles to advance urban and rural transportation. The company’s product, RIVÍR, is a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicle that transports up to four passengers. The RIVÍR integrates advanced technologies to ensure safe, stable, and reliable flight, whether piloted, remotely operated, or autonomous. The vehicle provides a sustainable, efficient, and advanced mode of transport that addresses the growing demand for urban air mobility solutions.

10. Tempest Droneworx

• Founding Year: 2021
• Industry: Aviation & Aerospace
• Technology: Multispectral 3D Maps and Data Visualization

Tempest Droneworx offers the Harbinger platform, which provides real-time multispectral 3D maps and data visualization for actionable intelligence. The Harbinger platform aggregates data from multiple sources, including drones, robots, and static sensors. This data is then presented through a game-engine interface for real-time visualization across multiple devices. The platform’s features include its sensor-agnostic capabilities and integrates AI and machine learning tools for predictive analysis. It is beneficial in diverse applications such as wildfire prevention, military operations, and construction site management. Tempest Droneworx prevents small issues from escalating into major problems by providing immediate situational awareness to decision-makers.

Explore the Houston Startup Ecosystem

The Houston startup ecosystem consists of 1700+ companies, each averaging 12 employees, with a focus on industries like healthcare, energy, manufacturing, oil, and fintech. This ecosystem is supported by diverse funding types, including venture rounds, self-funding, growth funding, seed investments, and M&A.

Leading investors such as Techstars, MassChallenge, Carnelian Energy, Celestial Ventures, and gBETA provide crucial financial and strategic support. For corporates, engaging with this ecosystem offers access to innovative technologies and new market opportunities across these vital sectors.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. For personalized insights into the local or global startup ecosystem, depending on your needs, get in touch with us. We can provide tailored information and analysis to help you navigate the vibrant startup landscape.