Via LinkedIn
Riffat Manasia
STATION TEXAS, a newly formed nonprofit focused on strengthening Texas' innovation ecosystem, has named Riffat Manasia as its founding executive director.
Powered by Capital Factory, STATION TEXAS aims to connect startups, researchers, investors, universities, and public institutions to advance entrepreneurship in high-impact sectors such as defense, biotech, space, energy, artificial intelligence, and robotics.
Manasia brings more than two decades of global experience in innovation strategy, economic development, and public-private partnerships. A Dallas-Fort Worth native, she has led research in post-9/11 Afghanistan, advised generals and diplomats, and launched accelerators in Africa. She also held leadership roles in energy innovation, global health, and with the American Ismaili Chamber of Commerce in Houston. Most recently, she worked at The University of Texas at Austin on tech commercialization and strategic partnerships.
"Riffat is the kind of leader who turns ideas into action," said Joshua Baer, CEO of Capital Factory. "She’s done the hard things — in war zones, boardrooms, and startup labs. She knows how to connect the dots between ideas, institutions, and innovators, and turn that into action. Riffat doesn’t just talk about impact — she builds it."
Riffat holds a Bachelor of Science from MIT and a multidisciplinary master’s degree from Harvard University, encompassing urban planning, the Kennedy School of Government, and Harvard Business School.
STATION TEXAS will roll out initial programming this spring and summer focused on federal funding, founder training, and collaborative partnerships. Its mission: to make Texas the most founder-friendly, innovation-driven state in the country—and a global force in entrepreneurship.