TiEcon Texas 2026

About

Register at https://www.tiecontexas.org/tickets TiE Houston, TiE Dallas, and TiE Austin are hosting TiEcon Texas 2026 on October 28-29 at the Ion. The day-and-a-half conference, themed "The Future Runs on Automation," brings together founders, investors, corporate leaders, researchers, educators, and policymakers to explore how automation and AI are reshaping energy, manufacturing, healthcare, aerospace, logistics, defense, and technology across Texas. October 28: Founder Program. The conference opens with a half-day program for startups building in the automation economy. It includes startup showcases, investor meetings, curated networking, and the TiE Hatch Pitch Competition. About 10 automation-focused startups will receive four weeks of mentoring and pitch coaching before presenting on stage. October 29: Keynotes and Panels. A full day of keynotes, fireside chats, and panel discussions on AI governance, intelligent healthcare, education, space innovation, workforce transformation, and international approaches to public policy. Sessions also cover how founders are building and deploying AI solutions and raising children in the age of AI. Speakers include Steve Kean (Greater Houston Partnership), Woody Rickerson (ERCOT), Montgomery Goforth (NASA Johnson Space Center), Dr. Jakub Tolar (Baylor College of Medicine), and Prof. David Alexander (Rice Space Institute). Who should attend: corporate executives, founders, investors, academics, educators, policymakers, researchers, ecosystem builders, and parents interested in AI's benefits and risks. Early bird registration is open for members and non-members. TiE Charter Members attend free.