If you’re building in HTX, read this.

1/19/26 - 1/25/26

Author

Oleg Lysiak
January 18, 2026

In partnership with

Hey Rocket Networkers,

First things first…

Last week I asked about your taco choices. Torchy's won with 27.3%. I randomly picked Monica G as our Taco Hang winner. Her favorite spot: Sarita's at 10305 Bauman Rd. Can't wait to try it.

Now let's talk about some in-person magic.

It’s January, but things are heating up if we talk about tech and startup events…

I’m pumped for the first Bayou City Startups January Happy Hour meetup it’s 🔥🌶️ and 🚀

SO YOU MUST ATTEND TO CONNECT with folks in the HTX startup community…who are building right now!

What else?

Based on the chart below, Texas is crushing it in Energy. No surprise…But we need to step up our AI capital raises to improve the overall picture.

How do we improve this picture?

Welp, how about we start with connecting founders with resources?!

Be sure to check out Houston-based AI clubs - https://www.houstonaiclub.com/ and https://luma.com/AITX

and of course, we are co-hosting monthly Founders & Funders Happy Hour… - LINK
Also find some good insights here - What’s Ahead in 2026 and A Year-in-Overview by
Ion–Rice Alliance

Here's the thing about networking in 2026: It's not about collecting LinkedIn connections. For me personally, it’s about helping each other win.

You know someone raising capital? Introduce them to an investor.

You know someone stuck on a technical problem? Connect them with an engineer who solved it.

You hear about a grant opportunity? Share it.

Your network grows when you help others grow theirs. Not before. So show up to these events. Meet people. Ask what they're working on. Ask what they need. Then figure out how you help!

That's how you build something real and LET’S GO TEXANS!!!!!!!!!!

- oleg

P.S. Know a Texas company doing something insane? hit reply.
Got a founder friend who needs to hear this? forward them this email. let's raise Houston's tech game together.

At Rocket Network, we do the dirty work for you, curating Houston's tech scene so you spend less time scrolling and more time building. Want to be featured or sponsor? Hit reply.




LET'S ROCKET NETWORK!

We are using emojis to guide subscribers in our event list 📅📍

🚀 - must attend

🔥🌶️ - something hot

🤓💻 - good for developers and other technical folks

🦄💰- venture capital and investing-related

⚡- energy-related

♻️- renewable energy and sustainability-related

🏥 - health care related

🎖️🪖 - veteran or military related 

🏅 - sports tech related

₿ - web3 related


HERE ARE OUR PICKS FOR HTX THIS WEEK

Monday, January 19

Introducing the first AI-native CRM

Connect your email, and you’ll instantly get a CRM with enriched customer insights and a platform that grows with your business.

With AI at the core, Attio lets you:

  • Prospect and route leads with research agents

  • Get real-time insights during customer calls

  • Build powerful automations for your complex workflows

Join industry leaders like Granola, Taskrabbit, Flatfile and more.

Wednesday, January 21


Perfecting Your Pitch


Sunday, January 25

🤓💻Houston Code & Coffee

⚠️Hosting a tech meetup or startup event? Submit it via the RocketNetwork Event Submission Form to boost your visibility!

👉Entry Level Tech Jobs - LINK

👉Energy Community and Energy Tech Jobs - LINK

👉The Biggest Free Remote Job Board in North America - LINK

👉Soft Skills-Focused Interviews for Better Hiring Decisions - LINK

👉Start your targeted job search today with AI - LINK

That’s a wrap for now, RocketNetworkers,

Stay tuned, and keep grinding!

❤️ - ROCKET NETWORK TEAM

Disclaimer: The content in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by any sponsors. All opinions and information are those of the author and not of the sponsors or affiliated organizations.

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