HOUSTON, OCTOBER 28, 2025 – Ion District, Houston’s 16-acre innovation hub developed by Rice University, today announced its next round of site-specific window art installations. Created by Houston-based artists Luisa Duarte and Joel Zika, the new installations will be unveiled by the artists on October 29, 2025, during a public event hosted by the Ion and Piper Faust Public Art at Second Draught located in the Ion from 5:30 – 7:30 pm CT.  

Following the event, the installations will be available for the public to view for free for the next six months as part of the Ion District’s “Eye on Art” program. The rotating art installations create opportunities for Houston-based artists and demonstrate the importance of cross-disciplinary connections when fostering innovation. 

As the epicenter of the Ion District, the Ion provides a variety of programming aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship for Houston companies and beyond. Eye on Art enhances this mission by showcasing creativity through accessible art experiences for the community and visitors—displayed prominently in the building’s windows, which serve as welcoming focal points at its entry.

Chosen by the Ion and the Ion District Art Advisory Council, with support from public art consultant Piper Faust, the installations are a nod to the original window displays of the historic Sears building on which the Ion was built.   

Luisa Duarte: “Urban Sentinels” 

Bold geometry and radiant color transform in this dynamic exploration of structure, balance, and the pulse of urban life. 

Luisa Duarte is a multidisciplinary artist with a foundation in architecture that deeply shapes her practice. Rooted in abstract geometry, her work transforms structured design into intuitive, expressive forms that explore memory, identity, and belonging. As a Venezuelan immigrant, Duarte’s art reflects the duality of nostalgia and discovery, blending the precision of architecture with the emotion of lived experience. 

Her latest installation, Urban Sentinels, is a site-specific work composed of four three-dimensional sculptures derived from her geometric works on paper. These “sentinels” are quiet observers and guardians of presence that invite reflection rather than defense. 

Rooted in architectural language yet alive with color and rhythm, the sculptures interact with their surroundings to create moments of stillness within the city’s motion. Framed by a green-painted mural Urban Sentinels transforms the Ion’s windows into a space for contemplation and connection. 

More than an installation, Duarte’s sentinels act as beacons of care, holding space for imagination, memory, and belonging within the urban landscape. 

Joel Zika: “Acanthus”  

Victorian decoration comes to life in this cutting-edge interactive sculptural installation. 

Joel Zika is a Houston-based media artist originally from Australia who uses emerging technology to tell stories in site-specific environments. His practice combines deep research with a fascination for both contemporary and historical forms of entertainment, creating immersive works that connect communities through shared visual experiences. 

Zika’s latest work, Acanthus, uses digital technology to explore our relationship with ornament in public space. The installation features digital sculptures and holographic projections that audiences can control. Through this interactive experience, participants manipulate richly decorative, Victorian-inspired forms as if tending to flowers in a garden. The work continues Zika’s exploration into how we communicate through our built environments using motifs of classical decoration to create an immersive, participatory environment that encourages curiosity and engagement. 

Zika has exhibited internationally in galleries, festivals, and public spaces, with recent projects featuring digital installations in windows and vitrines similar to those at the Ion. 

“Innovation comes in many forms, and the Eye on Art program is a testament to artists, creatives, and Houston residents being an integral part of Ion’s innovation community,” said Faust. “As we unveil the fifth round of art installations, we celebrate the extraordinary work of our local artists, and also the inclusive, welcoming, and collaborative space that Ion offers to all innovators in Houston.”  

To learn more about the Eye on Art program and its application process, please visit the Artist Residency page on the Ion District’s website or contact Piper Faust at piper@piperfaustpublicart.com.  

About Ion District:  

The Ion District is a 16-acre innovation hub in Houston’s Midtown, developed by Rice University to foster collaboration among entrepreneurs, academics, startups, and established companies. Anchored by the Ion building—a centerpiece for technology, research, and entrepreneurship—and home to Greentown Labs, one of North America’s leading climate tech incubators, the District offers dynamic workspaces, labs, and event venues designed to accelerate innovation and economic growth. The District will soon expand with The Arc, a nearly 200,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art research and technology facility purpose-built to accelerate collaboration, research, and commercialization across key industries. Together, these resources make the Ion District a central destination for Houston’s rapidly evolving innovation ecosystem.

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Photo credit: Aston Martin F1 Team

This year’s private livery preview—featuring Fernando Alonso,  Aston Martin Aramco F1 driver and Jak Crawford, AMF2 driver, Ali A. Al-Meshari, SVP Technology Oversight and Coordination, Aramco, and Ahmed Al-Mulhem, President & CEO, Aramco Americas and Andy Cowell, Team Principal and CEO, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team—was a unique opportunity for Aramco employees to see the new car before its worldwide reveal. Hosted within the Ion, the event reflects Aramco’s deep ties to Houston’s innovation community and its commitment to advancing technology development.

This milestone not only celebrated the unveiling of Aston Martin Aramco’s first-ever bespoke livery, but also the shared commitment between Aramco and its partners to advance innovation, science and sustainability on and off the track. The new design—featuring a series of science-inspired details—symbolizes the collaboration and cutting-edge technology that define the partnership between Aramco and Aston Martin.

Photo credit: Aston Martin F1 Team

As Formula 1® moves toward its next era in 2026, with FIA-compliant 100% sustainable fuels and a renewed focus on safety and performance, Aramco continues to lead the way in pioneering technologies that shape the future of mobility. Congratulations to Aramco and the Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1® Team on this historic livery reveal, and best of luck to Fernando Alonso and the team as they take the track in Austin this weekend.

At the Ion, we’re proud to partner with global innovators like Aramco who are redefining what’s possible through science, engineering and collaboration—and to see Houston continue to play a role in these world-changing advancements.

Read more about the livery here and see the Q&A with F1 driver Fernando Alonso here.

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Article originally published via Rice News here.

Rice Real Estate Co., in partnership with Lincoln Property Co., today unveiled plans to develop a landmark research, laboratory and office building designed to catalyze world-class innovation and enterprise in Houston. The new facility, named The Arc at the Ion District, will bring almost 200,000 square feet of modern, flexible research and development space to the Ion District.

Accelerating collaboration, technology, discovery

The Arc’s location within the Ion District positions the new facility to extend the district’s success as a hub for innovative ideas and collaboration. The Ion building — now over 90% leased — includes tenants and corporate partners from Chevron, Microsoft, Aramco, Baker Botts, ExxonMobil, Oxy, BP, Shell, United, Transocean and Woodside Energy as well as leading startups and investors such as Persona AI and Liongard. This impressive roster demonstrates the Ion’s strong market demand as a destination for innovation-driven companies. The Arc, which will share a plaza with the Ion, will be purpose-built to accelerate the transition of ideas from the lab to the marketplace and support a broad spectrum of research and enterprise activities.

Rice University: Powering research at The Arc

Rice University will be a lead tenant at The Arc, occupying almost 30,000 square feet of premier office and lab space for its world-class faculty and students. Rice’s presence will offer cross-disciplinary research and idea exchange with a focus on key fields of energy, artificial intelligence, data science, robotics and computational engineering. The Arc will accelerate the translation of discoveries from the laboratory to real-world solutions by connecting Rice’s academic resources and research infrastructure with industry, institutional and entrepreneurial partners.

“The Arc will offer Rice the opportunity to deepen its commitment to fostering world-changing innovation by bringing our leading minds and breakthrough discoveries into direct engagement with Houston’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem,” Rice President Reginald DesRoches said. “Working side by side with industry experts and actual end users at the Ion District uniquely positions our faculty and students to form partnerships and collaborations that might not be possible elsewhere. We look forward to building on our legacy of academic excellence to inspire new ventures, advance bold research and deliver solutions that will transform our community and the world around us.”

A design for the future

Designed with flexibility, The Arc will offer floor plates ranging from 28,000 to 31,000 square feet and generous 15-foot floor-to-floor heights. Infrastructure will be future-proofed to accommodate advanced HVAC, high-capacity electrical and emergency power systems and core lab systems that meet demanding research requirements. The project is targeting LEED Gold certification, integrating smart building automation and energy-saving features to promote sustainability and operational excellence.

Within The Arc, tenants and visitors will benefit from a suite of amenities designed to foster wellness, creativity and community. Highlights include a fully equipped gym, an amenity lounge, conference and meeting spaces and expansive outdoor plazas for events and informal gatherings. Additional conveniences include underground parking, secure bike storage, on-site retail and dining and proximity to the METRORail Red Line — all within one of Houston’s most vibrant and walkable districts. Tenants will also have access to the Ion’s public amenities, including shared conference areas and the forum stairs amphitheater, further supporting opportunities for collaboration and community engagement.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Rice University and play a role in shaping the next chapter of the Ion District,” said Gabe Lerner, executive vice president of Lincoln Property Co. “The Arc at the Ion District represents a rare opportunity to help add to and grow a nationally significant innovation hub right here in Houston — one that fosters breakthrough ideas, fuels inclusive economic growth and anchors the city’s rise as a global leader in science and technology.”

“The Arc at the Ion District will be more than a building — it will be a catalyst for the partnerships, innovations and discoveries that will define Houston’s future in science and technology,” said Ken Jett, president of Rice Real Estate Co. “By expanding our urban innovation ecosystem, The Arc will attract leading organizations and talent to Houston, further strengthening our city’s position as a hub for scientific and entrepreneurial progress.”

Construction timeline, preleasing

Construction on The Arc is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2026, with completion anticipated in the first quarter of 2028. Preleasing opportunities are now open for organizations ready to join Rice at the heart of Houston’s innovation future. For more information, visit TheArcIonDistrict.com.

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This move reinforces the Ion District’s continued focus on emerging tech and aligns closely with Rice University’s Momentous 10-year strategic plan, which prioritizes the development and integration of ethical and responsible artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. Persona AI joins other AI-forward activities in the Ion District, including the recently announced RAVA — the Rice Nexus plus Google Public Sector AI accelerator.

“We chose the Ion because it’s more than just a building — it’s a thriving innovation ecosystem,” said Nicolaus Radford, co-founder and CEO of Persona AI. “This is where Houston’s tech future is being built. It’s a convergence point for the people, energy, and ideas that power our mission to redefine human-machine collaboration. For an industrial, AI-driven robotics company, there’s no better place to scale than in the heart of Houston.”

“Persona AI’s expansion at the Ion is a clear market signal of the high-tech surge Rice is helping power in Houston. As more breakthrough companies choose to grow in the Ion District, it’s proof that our innovation ecosystem is accelerating—and Rice is at the center of it,” said Paul Cherukuri, vice president for innovation and chief innovation officer at Rice University.

Persona AI’s new development center will be located in the suite currently utilized by the Ion Prototyping Lab, which is managed by TXRX Labs. The IPL will transition its operations to the TXRX facility in the East End Maker Hub and will enable a network of facilities between the Ion and East End Maker Hub that better supports the growing demand for maker services and the growing pipeline of startups and creators citywide.

“TXRX has seen a significant increase in demand for fabrication and prototyping across industries,” said Roland von Kurnatowski, founder and president of TXRX Labs. “This move allows us to grow our team at our main facility, where we have an influx of projects that need more localized support. The current TXRX staff at the Ion will transition to our location in the East End, and existing IPL members will have access to these facilities. We will continue to be a strategic partner to the Ion District, creating a bridge across the city as we support the startup and maker community in the region.”

The Ion District will maintain some prototyping and maker support within the current Greentown Labs Prototyping Lab for certain specialized programs. This follows last year’s announcement of Rice’s continued investment in Greentown Labs and energy innovation, reinforcing the university’s commitment to scaling up high-impact infrastructure across the Ion District.

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Impact Hub Houston Moves to the Ion to Expand Support for Impact Ventures and Entrepreneur Ecosystem Development

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(Houston, Texas) Building on the success of its inaugural year, Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week will return September 15-19, 2025, bringing together thousands of startups, investors, and industry leaders from around the world.

“Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week was created to answer a fundamental question: Can we achieve more by working together than we can alone?” said Jane Stricker, Senior Vice President, Greater Houston Partnership and Executive Director, Houston Energy Transition Initiative. “By joining forces, we’re strengthening Houston’s role as a global leader in energy innovation, uniting top talent to turn bold ideas into real solutions. In 2024, we set out to build something with lasting impact—rooted in the ingenuity of Houston’s technologists and founders. Thanks to a collaborative effort across industry, academia, and startups, we’ve only just begun to showcase Houston’s strengths and invite others to be part of this movement. We can’t wait to see the city rise to the occasion again in 2025.”

Founded by Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, Halliburton Labs, Greentown Labs, Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI), Digital Wildcatters and Activate, this city-wide initiative was launched to showcase Houston is developing and scaling real solutions for the dual challenge—meeting growing global energy demand while reducing carbon emissions. The event’s inaugural year in 2024 demonstrated the power of this collaboration, drawing more than 2,000 attendees across 30+ events, featuring 100+ speakers and 125+ startups.

Anchor Events for 2025 Include:

• Monday, September 15
  • Official Kickoff Event at the Ion, hosted by HETI
• Tuesday, September 16
  • Activate Meet the Cohort
• Wednesday, September 17
  • Rice Alliance Energy Tech Venture Forum (Invite-only Startup/Investor Office Hours)
• Thursday, September 18
  • Rice Alliance Energy Tech Venture Forum at Rice University
  • Greentown Labs ACCEL Showcase
• Friday, September 19
  • Halliburton Labs Pitch Day at the Ion

In addition to these marquee events, returning programming from New Climate Ventures, Digital Wildcatters, and Global Corporate Venturing are already confirmed. New partners, including Decarbonization Partners and Avatar Innovations, are also joining the lineup. With the date announced, the founding partners invite 2024 hosts and others, to begin planning their events and programs. Calendar submissions will be opened in May.

Programming will take place across Houston, with the Ion District, powered by Rice University, serving as a key hub.

For more information and to get involved, visit houstonenergyclimatestartupweek.com

About Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week
Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week is a collaborative, city-wide initiative dedicated to advancing solutions for the energy transition. Launched by Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, Halliburton Labs, Greentown Labs, Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI), Digital Wildcatters and Activate, the annual activation brings together startups, investors, and industry leaders to showcase innovation and drive meaningful impact. Events are hosted by many organizations across the city.

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Aims to accelerate commercialization of breakthrough technologies

Rice University today celebrated the grand opening of the Rice Nexus, its flagship innovation hub in the Ion District designed to help faculty, students and alumni founders turn breakthrough research into high-impact startups. Spanning 10,000 square feet across two floors of the Ion building, the state-of-the-art facility provides the space, resources and industry connections needed to scale new ventures, with artificial intelligence (AI) as a central pillar of its innovation strategy.

Under the leadership of Sanjoy Paul, an AI expert and entrepreneur, the Nexus aims to be a key driver for innovation across multiple industries, including biotech, energy, climate and health care.

“The Nexus represents Rice’s commitment to transforming groundbreaking research into real-world solutions,” said Rice President Reginald DesRoches. “By embedding AI expertise, fostering collaboration and equipping our entrepreneurs with the resources to succeed, we are positioning Houston as a global hub for innovation and technology commercialization.”

The Nexus is already home to several innovative deep tech and AI-powered startups. Among them is Solidec, a climate-tech company co-founded by Rice professor Haotian Wang, research scientist Ryan DuChanois and alumnus Yang Xia. Another standout is Coflux Purification, co-founded by Rice students Alec Ajnsztajn, Jeremy Daum and Dana Vazquez with collaboration from professors Rafael Verduzco and Pulickel Ajayan.

In addition, BeOne Sports, founded by Rice alumni, is advancing sports performance technology, while Voythos is battling complex cardiovascular disease by making accurate predictions on the future health of patients using AI.

These ventures and others benefit from the Nexus’ robust suite of resources, which includes mentorship, commercialization support and access to a network of investors and corporate partners.

“We created the Rice Nexus in the Ion for Rice faculty, students and alumni to transform their breakthrough ideas into venture-ready startups,” said Paul Cherukuri, Rice’s chief innovation officer and vice president for innovation. “With Sanjoy Paul at the helm, we are not only integrating AI into the core of our innovation efforts but also ensuring that Rice founders have the leadership, expertise and support they need to rapidly build and scale transformative companies.”

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HOUSTON – JANUARY 22, 2025 – Rice Real Estate Company today announced Industrious as the new operator of the Ion’s coworking community. The partnership seeks to deliver a new hospitality-focused member experience for the Ion’s innovation community.

“The Ion’s coworking space is vital for our startups, small businesses and innovation partners. It’s more than just a physical location to work, the dynamic environment fosters organic idea exchange and collaboration that is flexible to scale with a company’s needs as they grow. Partnering with Industrious enhances the Ion’s hospitality offerings in this way,” said Ken Jett, President of Rice Real Estate Company. “Their unparalleled expertise in delivering quality, hospitality-driven workspaces complements our vision of creating a world-class ecosystem where entrepreneurs, corporations, and academia converge to drive innovation forward.”

Industrious, renowned for its community-minded, hospitality-driven approach to coworking, will take over the management of the Ion’s existing 86,000-square-foot coworking space. This expansive area features a diverse range of workspaces including private suites and offices, dedicated desks, phone booths, and conference rooms of varying sizes. Under Industrious’ management, members will continue to enjoy the Ion’s exceptional workspace while benefiting from enhanced, all-inclusive amenities. Members can expect an elevated workplace experience, delivered by experienced staff trained in Industrious’ signature hospitality-oriented service model, which emphasizes comfort, design, and connection. Industrious will also offer new, curated networking events, and a host of complimentary and enhanced services including robust snack and coffee service. These offerings are designed to make our members feel welcomed, empowered to do their best work, and delighted to show up to the office.

“The Ion plays a valuable role in the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Houston. We’re thrilled to add our expertise in running engaging spaces and join forces with The Rice Real Estate Company to continue to position the Ion as an invaluable contributor to the growth of Houston’s innovation community,” said Natalie Levine, Senior Manager of Real Estate at Industrious.

In addition to the hospitality offerings managed by Industrious, the Ion boasts three chef-driven restaurants, a tap room, and recently launched “Ion District Eats To Go”, powered by DoorDash. This ordering and pickup service aggregates menus from Ion District restaurants into a single, convenient digital platform. Users can order from various eateries on one ticket, making it ideal for team lunches or individual meals. These offerings are open to tenants and visitors alike. The recent hospitality upgrades along with the Ion’s collection of state-of-the-art amenities—a 250-seat public forum space, a 6,500-square-foot prototyping lab, Investor Studio, fitness center and expansive meeting and event spaces—will continue to make the Ion the premiere destination for startups and corporate innovation.

The Ion, located at 4201 Main Street, is a 266,000-square-foot, Class AA office building and innovation hub at the heart of the 16-acre Ion District. As the transformative centerpiece of Houston’s innovation corridor, the Ion brings together entrepreneurial, corporate, and academic communities to foster collaboration and growth. The building boasts LEED Gold, WiredScore Platinum, and WELL Silver certifications, setting a new benchmark for office environments in Houston.

This partnership marks Industrious’ second location in Houston, reflecting the company’s expanding presence in key markets nationwide. For more information about Industrious coworking memberships at The Ion, visit industriousoffice.com.

About the Ion:
Located in Ion District, the Ion building is the transformative centerpiece of Houston’s innovation corridor, powered by Rice University. Designed to bring our city’s entrepreneurial, corporate and academic communities into collaborative spaces and programs, the sunlit structure of steel and glass is a home for advancing diverse knowledge, teams, technologies and products that propel our world forward. For more information about the Ion, visit IonDistrict.com or email: start@ionhouston.com.

About Rice Real Estate Company:
Rice Real Estate Company, a subsidiary of Rice University, strategically acquires and manages properties to support the university’s growth and financial sustainability. The company’s portfolio includes iconic holdings such as Rice Village and Ion District, which extend beyond the main campus boundaries. By leveraging market trends and diversifying assets, Rice Real Estate Company focuses on creating long-term value for the university, generating income to sustain operations and fund scholarships, research grants, and other initiatives that enrich the educational experience at Rice University. The company’s efforts contribute to the academic community and the broader public, ensuring a strong foundation for Rice University’s future. For more information, visit https://realestate.rice.edu/.

About Industrious
Industrious delivers the world’s best workplaces by making the office a welcoming, empowering, and delightful experience. From private offices to suites, meeting rooms, and desks, we make it easy to find a workspace that works for you – whether you come in just a few days a week, want the flexibility to work from more than one location, or need an HQ just for a day. Founded in 2012 and recognized as one of America’s 500 fastest-growing companies by Inc. Magazine, Industrious offers flexible workplaces at more than 200 locations in over 65 cities globally. For more information, visit industriousoffice.com.

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CONTACT:

Laura Jones, ljones@dpwpr.com

Dancie Perugini Ware Public Relations

713-224-9115

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What is Software Day?

This monthly series, comprising mentor office hours, fireside chats, and networking, establishes a critical axis for the software innovation community to rally around at the Ion. It brings together leading mentors, promising early-stage startups, and like-minded Houstonians focused on building transformative software innovations.

Prior to a fireside chat, a select group of seed-stage software startups will participate in mentor office hours. Over the course of 2 hours, startup entrepreneurs looking for guidance and seasoned founders needing help tackling tough challenges will have access to a group of curated mentors from the Mercury network. The ideal profile of a company for this mentorship program is a pre-Series A software startup that is in the early stages of revenue generation. Interested startups are encouraged to submit their applications here. Each month, startups will be selected to participate in the mentor office hours.

2025 Software Day Schedule
Mark your calendars for the upcoming Software Days at the Ion:

• February 4, 2025
• March 25, 2025
• May 20, 2025
• June 24, 2025
• August 26, 2025
• October 14, 2025

Applications for February 4 Are Open!
Are you a pre-Series A software startup in the early stages of revenue generation? Don’t miss the chance to participate in curated office hours, where you’ll receive guidance from mentors with expertise in high-growth software innovations.

Submit your application now to secure your spot for February’s Software Day.

Visit our new Software Day page for details about the program, see past topics, upcoming date, and opportunities to get involved.

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About Ion: Located in Ion District, the namesake building is the transformative centerpiece of Houston’s innovation corridor, powered by Rice University. Designed to bring our city’s entrepreneurial, corporate, and academic communities into collaborative spaces and programs, the sunlit structure of steel and glass is a home for advancing diverse knowledge, teams, technologies, and products that propel our world forward.
From Fortune 500s seeking flexible office space to first-time startups looking for the funding to design a prototype, the Ion provides wide-reaching space and support—welcoming individuals and teams of all kinds to a place to build a better way. The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship leads programming at the Ion.

About Mercury: Mercury is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on software startups outside the coasts. Mercury’s investment themes target B2B and B2B2C SaaS and data platforms enabling the digital transformation of markets, industries, and customer relationships. To date, Mercury has created over $9 billion of value with an operationally focused investment strategy helping startups achieve rapid, sustainable growth. Mercury is headquartered in Houston with offices in Austin, Chicago, and Detroit. To learn more, visit mercuryfund.com.

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