Whether it’s the southern hospitality or the world-class cuisine, Houston has been attracting the tech world’s top talent for decades. As the home of NASA Mission Control, the city has found itself at the center of space exploration since the beginning, serving as the operational hub of every U.S. human space mission since the launch of Project Gemini.
In light of this, it’s no surprise that aerospace and defense is one of Houston’s top tech sectors, with industry giants like Lockheed Martin and Boeing operating throughout the city. But perhaps it’s Houston’s energy industry that holds the most economic weight. According to the Greater Houston Partnership, the city’s energy sector employs more than 200,000 people across the city, while clean energy in particular boasts more than $3 billion in VC funding.
Tech Companies in Houston to Know
- FlightAware
- Microsoft
- Air Liquide
- Gene By Gene
- Halliburton
- Aspen Technology
- SnapStream
- PROS
- Cognite
With its abundance of leading research facilities and rich exploration history, Houston houses one of the nation’s largest tech communities, which is expected to grow over the next several years. In fact, researchers expect to see nearly 9,000 new tech jobs across the city by 2026, according to a 2019 report from CompTIA. In addition to hosting Microsoft, Houston’s existing tech ecosystem boasts representation from a wide range of sectors like biotech, IT, energy and aviation.
From developing flight tracking systems to uncovering new disease treatments, many of Houston’s tech companies are true leaders in their industries, solidifying the Bayou City’s status as a hotbed of innovation and discovery.
Here’s a look at tech companies in Houston that have helped shape the city’s tech landscape.
Houston Tech Companies to Know
Founded: 2012
DraftKings provides sports fans with sports betting and fantasy sports platforms that encompass a variety of popular leagues, including the NFL, MLB, NASCAR, NHL and PGA. The company also offers an array of digital casino games, from blackjack to roulette, and players can compete for real money.
Founded: 1994
IMO Health’s technology uses artificial intelligence to help organizations in the healthcare industry improve the quality of their clinical data and gain insights from unstructured data. Approximately 740,000 healthcare professionals throughout the United States use IMO Health’s solutions to provide them with intelligence for smarter decision making.
Founded: 2007
ForeFlight builds software solutions for pilots and flight crews. Its mobile app, for example, includes tools for flight planning, document management, monitoring weather conditions and handling other important tasks. ForeFlight’s technology has uses across personal, business and military aviation.
Founded: 1975
Since its inception, Microsoft has evolved into a true tech titan, serving customers worldwide with its software products and services. From Xbox to Office 365, the corporation’s products are some of the most widely used in the tech world, serving both entertainment and business sectors. In 2016, Microsoft opened its first cloud-based Microsoft Technology Center in Houston, where customers can take part in immersive experiences, proof-of-concept workshops and strategy briefings.
Founded: 2005
Unity’s cross-platform game engine powers many of today’s most popular video and computer games, as well as many other simulated interactive experiences. Not only that, game creators rely on Unity’s asset store to buy and sell user-generated digital assets, like game-level props. Hollywood uses the technology too: Disney’s 2019 remake of The Lion King used Unity’s engine to create the film’s backgrounds.
Founded: 2000
Founded by Accenture LLP and Microsoft, Avanade provides digital and cloud services, business solutions and design-led experiences in the Microsoft ecosystem. With operations in over 20 countries, the company helps organizations from a wide range of industries improve business agility, employee productivity and customer loyalty. Avanade has acquired five organizations since its inception including Altius, Alnamic and Loud & Clear.
Founded: 1919
KBR, Inc. is an engineering, procurement and construction company that provides services and technologies to government and industry clients. Operating across 40 countries, the company offers government solutions that cover the full lifecycle of defense, space and aviation, while their tech solutions encompass equipment, catalysts and digital solutions. Since its inception, KBR, Inc. has acquired 11 organizations such as RRT Global and Honeywell Technology Solutions.
Founded: 1852
Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, Loomis offers solutions for cash handling. The company works primarily with banks, multi-location retailers, stores and other commercial enterprises to offer them efficient management of the physical flow of cash. Loomis operates across 13 countries including the U.S., Norway, Denmark, Austria and Portugal.
Founded: 1980
BMC Software is committed to helping clients reinvent their businesses with open, scalable and modular solutions. The company’s solutions encompass multi-cloud cost and security management, cloud migration, application performance improvement, big data insights and mainframe cost optimization. BMC Software has several offices located worldwide.
Founded: 2005
Founded by Daniel Baker, FlightAware is a flight tracking data company that offers flight tracking services for both private and commercial air traffic. The company’s HyperFeed engine integrates data from sources around the world to deliver comprehensive flight tracking information. Leveraging data from air traffic control systems in over 45 countries, FlightAware boasts a terrestrial network of over 20,000 ADS-B ground stations worldwide.
Founded: 2016
While organizations can always learn from making a mistake, Cognite is taking a more innovative approach to infrastructure projects. The company has developed technology that enables businesses to weigh numerous risk factors, automate certain tasks, and locate areas where increased production is needed. With a data-centric mentality, Cognite is painting a more holistic picture that allows businesses to avoid future roadblocks and make timely adjustments in strategy.
Founded: 1981
Aspen Technology develops software that helps oil and gas, chemical and engineering companies achieve their goals in safety, sustainability and operational performance. Using advances in AI and machine learning, the company helps fuel clients’ competitive drive by discovering new possibilities in process modeling, simulation and optimization. Since its inception, the company has raised $100 million in funding in addition to acquiring seven organizations.
Founded: 1985
Established by Mariette and Ron Woestemeyer, PROS is dedicated to helping people and companies outperform by enabling smarter selling in the digital economy. The company provides companies with predictive and prescriptive guidance, enabling them to dynamically price, configure and sell their products and services. With offices located worldwide, PROS helps enterprises achieve previously unattainable levels of speed and consistency.
Founded: 1998
Cradle Solution is a software development company that serves clients in various industries. The company offers software-as-a-service for the home healthcare industry in addition to providing technical and executive training and IT governance consulting services for the oil and gas industry. Cradle Solutions offers other customized software tools for companies worldwide.
Founded: 1980
Sirius Computer Solutions provides business solutions that span the data center and other lines of business. The company provides a wide range of solutions to help IT professionals cut costs, increase reliability, ease the burden of management, maximize flexibility, mitigate risk and improve service. Sirius Computer Solutions has acquired three organizations since its founding including Forsythe and thinkASG.
Founded: 2001
Enstep Technology Solutions is a business partner and IT services provider for small and medium-sized businesses. The company is dedicated to helping clients understand why their technology plan isn’t working and then provide the means to help them achieve their goals. Enstep Technology Solutions also helps businesses alleviate potential risks like losing data through their backup management services, which includes threat assessment and disaster recovery testing.
Founded: 1902
Headquartered in Paris, France, Air Liquide provides industrial gases, technologies and services to various industries. The company specializes in on-site industrial gas production, advanced precursor materials, gas and chemical management, and analytical and laboratory services. Serving more than 3.6 million customers worldwide, Air Liquide has acquired 43 organizations since its inception including Medidis and DiaLibre.
Founded: 2006
InGeneron is a clinical-stage cell therapy company that enables novel, safe and evidence-based therapies. The company is dedicated to developing treatments that unlock the healing potential of patients’ own regenerative cells. InGeneron specializes in helping patients who suffer from chronic pain and other musculoskeletal conditions.
Founded: 1985
ENGlobal is a specialty engineering services firm that specializes in oil and gas automation solutions and subsea control systems. The company offers a variety of services including advanced automated data gathering systems, IT projects, feasibility studies, cost estimation and environmental compliance. ENGlobal also operates a government services group that offers engineering, design, installation, operations and maintenance support to government facilities.
Founded: 2000
Gene By Gene is a biotech company that offers affordable genetic testing services. The company’s genetic testing services encompass relationship DNA testing, carrier screenings, research genetics, forensics and ancestry DNA testing. Gene By Gene’s aim is to empower people everywhere to make decisions on their genetic health through affordable, high-quality services.
Founded: 1994
Founded by Yoseph Shaaltiel, Protalix Biotherapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that develops and manufactures recombinant therapeutic proteins. The company specializes in developing complex therapeutic proteins for the treatment of genetic disorders such as Gaucher disease and Fabry disease in addition to advancing additional recombinant biopharmaceutical drug development programs. Since its founding, Protalix Biotherapeutics has raised $62.5 million over four funding rounds.
Founded: 1998
Cybersoft Technologies is an IT company that focuses on mobile application development and software services. The company offers a wide range of products including PrimeroEdge, which provides software solutions for child nutrition departments in school districts, as well as YottaTime and Attendance, which streamlines the process of employee work hours, overtime and leave management. Cybersoft Technologies works primarily with city agencies, Fortune 500 companies and K-12 school districts across the nation.
Founded: 1986
Insperity specializes in delivering human resources solutions that help clients strengthen and streamline their businesses. The company helps organizations manage costs and minimize risks, offering a wide range of services such as HR consulting, accounting and bookkeeping, expense reporting, performance reviews and organizational charting. With more than $4.3 billion in annual revenue, Insperity has 70 offices located across the country.
Founded: 1919
Halliburton provides products and services to the energy industry. With a focus on sustainability, the company helps its customers maximize value throughout the lifecycle of the reservoir, which includes locating hydrocarbons, managing geological data, drilling and formation evaluation, and well construction and completion. Halliburton works with national and independent oil and natural gas companies across the globe.
Founded: 2007
Founded by Eric Pulaski, SmartVault has developed a platform that allows accountants and businesses to store, manage and securely share files. The company’s platform enables users to create efficient, standardized workflows, automate manual paper-based tasks and eliminate security vulnerabilities. SmartVault integrates with a variety of apps including QuickBooks, DocuSign and TaxCalc.
Founded: 1988
DataVox is a technology partner that helps organizations design, implement and maintain all aspects of their audio visual, cloud and data center. The company also specializes in cybersecurity, IT support and managed services, network cabling, phone systems, smart building technologies and physical security solutions.
Founded: 2002
Launched by Mike Alsup, Gimmal develops information management software that makes it possible for enterprises to manage information regardless of where it exists. The company’s software captures, manages, governs and archives information, enabling businesses to manage the lifecycle of content in SharePoint, Office 365, Box, OneDrive for Business and other platforms. Gimmal is dedicated to helping organizations realize their digital workplace strategies more quickly and connect content with business transactions to improve efficiency and lower costs.
Founded: 2017
Sysco LABS is the digital innovation sector of Sysco, a wholesale distributor of restaurant supplies and food. The Sysco LABS team created the Sysco Shop e-commerce platform, which aims to make ordering via web and mobile formats more convenient for users.
Founded: 1986
HCSS has headquarters in Sugar Land, just outside of Houston. Its software aids construction companies in streamlining operations for managing daily activities. The company’s solutions include bidding, estimates and tracking equipment.
Founded: 1992
DRW is a global asset trading firm that uses its own capital, aims to solve complex market problems and specializes in the tech necessary to trade across regional markets. It has expanded into trading in cryptocurrencies and investing in technologies like blockchain. The company has an office in the Tanglewood area of Houston.
