<p>Powered by oil, research universities, cutting-edge medical, and more oil, Houston startups have a particular swagger you won&rsquo;t find elsewhere. Houston was named after former General Sam Houston, the first President of the Republic of Texas. Much like the man, the city is huge, sprawling, boisterous, contradictory, and somewhat crude at times.</p> <p>The largest city in Texas and the fourth-largest in America, Houston leveraged their port on the Gulf of Mexico into a railroad powerhouse, primarily used to ship cotton, bringing business and settlers. When oil was found in Texas, refineries started in Houston, and now the area is one of the most concentrated oil producing areas in the world.</p> <p>More Fortune 500 companies call Houston home than any other city except New York. Unlike that city to the northeast, Houston has the nickname &ldquo;Space City&rdquo; for all the NASA activity. Perhaps due to the port, Houston claims to be the most diverse city in the U.S. That melting pot energy, and concentration of technical expertise at NASA and several local universities, may explain the booming startup scene.</p>