Plugging in: Sugar Land’s $4.5M bid brings business incubator to region

Sugar Land is bringing global startup incubator Plug and Play to the region with a $4.5 million investment through the Sugar Land Development Corp. The program will run out of an office in Sugar Land Town Square and host two cohorts each year, typically 10–20 startups per cohort, focused on “smart city” solutions—especially tech tied to energy, mobility, and health. The goal is to grow a local innovation ecosystem, attract startups to relocate, and connect opportunities to nearby universities and talent in the area.

The article highlights early cohort companies, including Prandtl Dynamics, a startup developing acoustic anti-drone technology initially sparked by a U.S./Canadian defense innovation competition, and Ascent Integrated Tech, which is showcasing a wearable add-on designed to track the health and location of firefighters and law enforcement. City leaders say the investment is structured around milestones and progress reporting, and they hope the program drives job growth and long-term economic development locally.