INTRODUCING INNOVATIONMAP

Introducing InnovationMap: The new media outlet covering what's igniting change in Houston

Seth Livingston
CultureMap Staff
Nov 15, 2018, 2:35 pm
InnovationMap tells the stories of innovation in Houston. Courtesy graphic

Houston innovation is now on the map. Gow Media, a leading multi-platform media company that includes CultureMap, SportsMap, Houston's ESPN 97.5 FM, and SB Nation Radio, has announced the launch of its newest digital media platform, InnovationMap.

As the new voice of innovation in Houston, InnovationMap shines a spotlight on innovation within startups, tech, health, energy, social impact, and more. In addition to thoughtful news coverage, the site will feature profiles of leaders within the industry and thought leadership content from a pool of expert guest contributors.

"Houston is on a great trajectory. The efforts of many are coming together to develop a strong entrepreneurial and innovation economy. We think the time is right for a media outlet that focuses on innovation in Houston. We also want to highlight the vision of our presenting sponsor, BBVA Compass, a longtime leader of the innovation economy in Houston," says David Gow, CEO of Gow Media.  

Joining Gow on the board of InnovationMap are Patrick Schneidau, software executive and chair of the Talent Committee of Houston Exponential; Brad Deutser, CEO of Deutser Consulting and author of the book Leading Clarity; and Jarred King, CEO of Swagger Media and president of Entrepreneurs' Organization in Houston.

Gow Media has tapped Natalie Harms to serve as editor of InnovationMap. Harms is a native Houstonian, graduate of the University of Houston, and former associate editor at the Houston Business Journal. 

The new media outlet was recently celebrated at a private pre-launch party hosted by Gow. An intimate group of Houston leaders across industries gathered to toast to the future of innovation in the city — and to get an exclusive first look at the site. 

InnovationMap is the second recent addition to Gow Media’s ever-growing portfolio. In October, the company launched GiftingMap, a new e-commerce site featuring a curated selection of gifts with a focus on brands tied to Texas.

"With the growth of GiftingMap and SportsMap, and the impressive success of CultureMap, we are now in a position to launch InnovationMap. With InnovationMap, we are leveraging our digital platform, editorial approach, and our cross-platform promotional power to establish the leading voice for innovation in Houston," says Gow.     

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Houston drops the game to Arizona

D-backs outslug Greinke and Astros to take series opener

Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images

With the series win over the Rangers by taking two of three games in the middle of the week, the Astros welcomed the Diamondbacks to Minute Maid Park for a three-game weekend series, Houston's final three regular-season home games. Here is how the opener unfolded:

Final Score: Diamondbacks 6, Astros 3.

Record: 25-26, second in the AL West.

Winning pitcher: Zac Gallen (2-2, 3.00 ERA).

Losing pitcher: Luis Garcia (0-1, 2.53 ERA).

Houston scores first, but Arizona grabs a lead against Greinke

Houston would get on the board first on Friday night, with George Springer reaching base in the bottom of the first on an error, moving to second on a walk, then to third on a single, as the Astros loaded the bases with no out to threaten a big inning. Instead, they would come away with just one run, with Springer taking home on a wild pitch, grabbing the 1-0 lead, but leaving runs on the table.

They doubled their lead in the bottom of the third, getting a two-out RBI-double by Kyle Tucker to make it a 2-0 Houston lead. The D-backs responded in the top of the fourth, getting back-to-back singles to lead off the inning before a three-run homer by Kole Calhoun off of Zack Greinke would put Arizona in front, 3-2. Greinke would finish one more inning before Houston would move to their bullpen, striking out the side to bring his total to nine on the night, making the bad fourth inning the one blemish on his night. His final line: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 9 K, 1 HR, 89 P.

Astros tie it, but D-backs take the opener

George Springer would get Greinke off the hook in the bottom of the fifth, leading off the half-inning with a solo bomb to tie the game at 3-3. Luis Garcia was first out of Houston's bullpen and retired Arizona in order for a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the sixth. He returned for the top of the seventh but would allow a leadoff single, RBI-triple, and wild pitch to bring in two runs. He would face two more batters, allowing a double and getting a strikeout, before Dusty Baker would come out to get him, now down 5-3.

Blake Taylor would make his return from the IL after Garcia, getting back-to-back outs to finish the inning. He continued on in the 5-3 game in the top of the eighth, but allowed a one-out solo homer to Calhoun, his second of the night and fourth RBI. That made it a 6-3 D-backs lead, which would go final as Houston would go scoreless after Springer's home run back in the fifth.

Up Next: The middle game of this three-game set will start Saturday at 6:10 PM Central. The pitching matchup will be Luke Weaver (1-7, 6.70 ERA) for Arizona and Cristian Javier (4-2, 3.22 ERA) for Houston.

astros recap astros vs diamondbacks mlb mlb recap zack greinke george springer kyle tucker kole calhoun astros

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