Houston Startups Start 2025 with a Boost of Capital
Fourteen Houston-based startups closed out 2024 on a high note, securing significant funding across various sectors. The investment rounds, ranging from seed funding to Series C, signal continued growth and innovation within the city’s startup ecosystem.
Citroniq Chemicals Secures $12M Series A
Citroniq Chemicals, based in Houston, has secured a $12 million Series A funding round to support the planning, design, and construction of its first decarbonization plant, which will produce green polypropylene. The round was led by an unidentified multinational energy technology company, with participation from Lummus Technology Ventures and support from the State of Nebraska.
MetOx Raises $25M Series B Extension
MetOx International, a Houston company specializing in high-temperature superconducting (HTS) wire, closed its Series B extension at $25 million. The round was led by Centaurus Capital and New System Ventures, with additional investment from other firms. The company anticipates the funding will allow them to close supply gaps and make headway on innovations and applications in high power.
Utility Global’s $53M Series C Investment
Utility Global, a Houston-based company specializing in decarbonization-focused gas production technology, raised $53 million in an ongoing Series C round. The funding round saw participation from Ontario Power Generation Pension Plan, the XCarb Innovation Fund, Ara Partners, and Saudi Aramco’s investment arm.
Bot Auto’s $20M Pre-Series A
Bot Auto, also based in Houston, secured $20 million in a pre-Series A funding round. The investment will help expand the development of autonomous trucking technology, focusing on safety and operational efficiency. The round was led by investments from Brightway Future Capital, Cherubic Ventures, and others.
Mstack Raises $40M Series A
Mstack, a Houston-based platform that helps manufacturers source specialty chemicals, raised $40 million in a Series A round. The round was led by Lightspeed Venture Partners and Alpha Wave Incubation, with a debt facility from HSBC Innovation Banking and support from angel investors. The company aims to disrupt supply chain issues in the specialty chemicals industry.
DocJuris Raises $8M Series A
DocJuris, an AI contract review leader based in Houston, announced the successful closure of its Series A funding round, totaling $8 million. The new capital will help the company evolve its AI platform, expand its customer success team, and grow its user base.
Paladin Lands $5.2M in Seed Funding
Paladin, another Houston-based company, which uses AI-enhanced autonomous drones to assist first responders responded to 911 calls, collected $5.2 million in seed funding. Gradient, Toyota Ventures, Khosla Ventures, and 1517 participated in the round.
March Biosciences’ Oversubscribed $28.4M Series A
March Biosciences, a Houston-based biotech firm developing cancer treatments, closed its Series A with $28.4 million in financing, with Mission BioCapital and 4BIO Capital leading the investors. The company aims to fight cancers that have become unresponsive to current immunotherapies by means of its lead asset, MB-105.
CrossBridge Bio Closes $10M Seed Round
Also within the biotech space, Houston-based CrossBridge Bio raised $10 million in seed funding. The company, formed during the TMC Innovation’s Accelerator for Cancer Therapeutics program, will use the funding to further develop their therapeutic approach.
Helix Earth Closes $5.6M in Seed Funding
Helix Earth Technologies, which developed clean tech starting out of NASA, secured $5.6 million in seed funding led by Veriten. The company aims to disrupt a significant portion of the commercial air conditioning market.
Fervo Energy’s $255M in Additional Funding
Fervo Energy, a Houston company focused on geothermal energy, raised an additional $255 million in funding, bringing its total funding secured this year to approximately $600 million. Capricorn’s Technology Impact Fund II led the corporate equity round. The company’s ongoing projects and the new ones will be supported by this funding.
Square Robot Closes Series B
Square Robot Inc., with headquarters in Houston and Boston, closed a Series B round of funding. The submersible robotics company aims to put the $13 million in funds toward international expansion.
Indapta Therapeutics Secures $22.5M
Indapta Therapeutics, based in both Houston and Seattle, raised $22.5 million to accelerate clinical development for its cell therapy for cancer and autoimmune diseases.
SmartAC.com’s Latest Round
Finally, Houston-based SmartAC.com secured additional funding from Mercury Fund and other unnamed investors for its customer loyalty management platform.
These investments highlight Houston’s growing status as a key hub for innovation and investment, driving advancements across a variety of industries.
