Plug and Play Announces New Houston-Metro Hub in Sugar Land at 2024 Silicon Valley Summit

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Plug and Play, a global leader in innovation, joined the City of Sugar Land Economic Development and Tourism team at the 2024 Silicon Valley Summit to unveil its new flagship Houston-Metro location in Sugar Land, Texas. This marks Plug and Play’s fourth Texas site and includes a 60-mile non-compete radius, showcasing its dedication to advancing innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.

With over 2,700 startups accelerated worldwide last year, Plug and Play connects entrepreneurs, corporations, investors, universities, and governments to drive innovation. Its impressive network spans more than 60 global locations and includes 550+ corporate partners such as Dell Technologies, Daikin, Microsoft, LG Chem, Shell, and Mercedes. The organization’s portfolio boasts notable successes like PayPal, Dropbox, LendingClub, and Course Hero, with 8% of its companies valued at over $100 million.

“We are excited to welcome Plug and Play to Sugar Land,” says Mayor of Sugar Land, Joe Zimmerman. “This investment will help us connect with corporate contacts and experts in startups and businesses that would take us many years to reach on our own. It allows us to create a presence, attract investments and jobs to the city, and hopefully become a base of operations for some of these high-growth companies.”

The new Sugar Land office, facilitated by the city’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism, will be situated in Sugar Land Town Square, a vibrant business hub. Leasing and hiring are set to commence in December, with an official launch planned for February or March. The launch will feature 15 startups introduced on Selection Day. Plug and Play aims to hire four full-time employees and will accelerate two startup batches annually, focusing on Smart Cities sectors such as energy, health, transportation, and mobility. Additionally, a Sugar Land City representative will serve on the program’s board to guide its objectives.

“By expanding to Sugar Land, we’re creating a space where startups can access resources, build partnerships, and scale rapidly,” said Sherif Saadawi, VP Growth Strategy at Plug and Play. “This location will help fuel Texas’ innovation ecosystem, providing entrepreneurs with the tools and networks they need to drive real-world impact and contribute to the state’s technological and economic growth.”

This collaboration solidifies Sugar Land’s position as a growing center for technology and innovation. Together, Plug and Play and the city aim to deliver exceptional experiences, foster top-tier talent, and set a new benchmark for business innovation.