Brandon Simmons

CarbonCapture Inc. is a climate tech company that makes modular Direct Air Capture (DAC) machines that can be connected in large arrays to remove massive amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere.

Space Perspective is the world’s first carbon-neutral spaceflight experience company on a mission to make transformative space travel accessible to more people than ever before. Our Spaceship Neptune, which comprises a pressurized capsule propelled by a giant SpaceBalloon™, offers a safe and accessible six-hour journey to the edge of space. Those who fly with Space Perspective, which is being regulated by the FAA and follows guidelines established by NASA and the U.S. Coast Guard, enjoy unprecedented views of our planet through the largest windows ever flown to space, a world-class meal and cocktail service, Wi-Fi, and lavatory—all from the world’s first Space Lounge. Based on Florida’s Space Coast, Space Perspective was co-founded by human spaceflight veterans Jane Poynter and Taber MacCallum, who met as original crew members in Biosphere 2 and previously founded World View and Paragon Space Development Corporation. Space Perspective’s team more broadly has been instrumental in the development of every U.S. human spacecraft for the past 40 years.

At Elevian, we are developing new medicines that promote recovery and regeneration. Our lead program is a recombinant protein for the treatment of stroke in the days following the event, for which there are currently no viable treatments. By promoting regeneration, Elevian’s medicines have the potential to treat and prevent many aging-associated diseases.

Venus Aerospace has built the first generational improvement in rocket engine technology since the Apollo missions. After the fastest and most capital-efficient rocket engine development in history, on May 14, 2025, Venus executed the first ever test flight of a high-thrust rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE), ushering in the future of rocket propulsion.

NobleAI delivers practical AI solutions for complex challenges in chemistry and energy. Our Science-Based AI and VIP Platform (Visualizations, Insights and Predictions) help companies reduce development time, optimize performance, and improve decision-making. Chemistry companies use NobleAI to accelerate formulation and materials innovation, identify safer alternatives, and manage supply chain and compliance risks. Energy companies rely on NobleAI to enhance predictive capabilities, boost asset performance, and make faster, more confident decisions. Our enterprise-ready platform is trusted by global leaders to drive innovation, improve profitability, and bring better products to market more quickly.

Pyka’s goal is to provide society with a new form of safe, clean, and cost-effective transportation enabled by autonomous electric aviation. To get there, we’re taking a different approach than most. Were applying our technologies to every industry where autonomous electric aircraft can be useful, starting with the highest value and most dangerous jobs. In doing so, were building game-changing products manufactured at scale, while perfecting the safety, reliability, and capabilities of our autonomy engine and electric propulsion systems. We design, develop and manufacture an ecosystem of technologies including proprietary flight control software, avionics, high power density motors, motor controllers, batteries, and custom carbon-fiber composite airframes. Today, we supply autonomous electric aircraft for cargo transport and crop protection to real-world customers across four separate continents and have secured industry-first regulatory approvals from the FAA. Our cargo aircraft enables remote connectivity, enhances express delivery networks, and ensures fast and reliable shipping of critical supplies to areas in need. Our crop protection aircraft offers agricultural services providers and farmers an autonomous tool to make aerial application safer, more precise, and less harmful to surrounding environments. Both vehicles are highly economical to operate, easy to deploy, and significantly reduce C02 emissions in their respective industries. What we work on at Pyka makes people’s lives better now and brings the future of electric aviation one step closer each day.

ON is a leading AI chat platform designed for enterprise-level use, known for seamlessly powering generative AI experiences used by some of the worlds largest and most well-known brands.

Cognito is focused on simplifying identity verification through cutting-edge technology integrations and partnerships. We empower customers with the most advanced technology ever created for optimizing the customer signup experience, developer-first infrastructure, and an industry first full spectrum verification solution.

We are thrilled to announce that EVNTLIVE has been acquired by Yahoo! When we started EVNTLIVE in early 2012, we set out to change the way that fans engage with live music online by creating an interactive, virtual venue. Since launching our beta service in April 2013, we have live streamed hundreds of performances from amazing artists and festivals to fans all over the world. Although our service will no longer be available, we are excited to be joining Yahoos video team. Thank you to our investors, fans, and the artists who helped bring our dream to life. - The EVNTLIVE Team

Our mission is to power more effective and accountable government. Contact Us: https://opengov.com/contact-us/ OpenGov is the leader in modern cloud software for U.S. local governments, state agencies, school districts, and special districts. With a mission to power more effective and accountable government, OpenGov serves more than 1,600 agencies across the U.S. and is built exclusively for the unique budgeting, permitting and licensing, procurement, and asset management needs of the public sector. The OpenGov Cloud makes organizations more collaborative and efficient and enables best-in-class communication with stakeholders and your community.

Texas Southern University, one of the nation’s largest HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), possesses an impressive array of undergraduate and graduate programs, a diverse faculty, 80-plus student organizations, and an alumni network comprised of educators, entrepreneurs, public servants, lawyers, pilots, artists, and more, many of whom are change agents on the local, national and international stage. Texas Southern University is located in Houston, TX, the fourth largest city in the US, and one of the fastest-growing and forward-moving cities in the world. Nestled upon a sprawling 150-acre campus, Texas Southern has served as a cornerstone for developing the greatest potential in leaders from various socio-economic, cultural, and racial backgrounds. More than 8,500 students, along with nearly 1,500 faculty and staff comprise the University’s community, and like its curricula, the student body is characterized by diversity. While many of the undergraduate and graduate students enrolled are native Texans, the student and faculty population is represented by almost every state in the country, including the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, and by more than 50 nations. Texas Southerns international student population hails from such places as Africa, Canada, the Canal Zone, the Caribbean, Central America, China, Europe, Mexico, South Asia, and the West Indies.

Founded by Brandon Simmons and David Siminoff, SimSim comprises an AI-powered curriculum studio and an advisory services platform.

CarbonCapture Inc. is a climate tech company that makes modular Direct Air Capture (DAC) machines that can be connected in large arrays to remove massive amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere.

Space Perspective is the world’s first carbon-neutral spaceflight experience company on a mission to make transformative space travel accessible to more people than ever before. Our Spaceship Neptune, which comprises a pressurized capsule propelled by a giant SpaceBalloon™, offers a safe and accessible six-hour journey to the edge of space. Those who fly with Space Perspective, which is being regulated by the FAA and follows guidelines established by NASA and the U.S. Coast Guard, enjoy unprecedented views of our planet through the largest windows ever flown to space, a world-class meal and cocktail service, Wi-Fi, and lavatory—all from the world’s first Space Lounge. Based on Florida’s Space Coast, Space Perspective was co-founded by human spaceflight veterans Jane Poynter and Taber MacCallum, who met as original crew members in Biosphere 2 and previously founded World View and Paragon Space Development Corporation. Space Perspective’s team more broadly has been instrumental in the development of every U.S. human spacecraft for the past 40 years.

At Elevian, we are developing new medicines that promote recovery and regeneration. Our lead program is a recombinant protein for the treatment of stroke in the days following the event, for which there are currently no viable treatments. By promoting regeneration, Elevian’s medicines have the potential to treat and prevent many aging-associated diseases.