UH, Hewlett Packard Enterprise pair up
Hewlett Packard Enterprise, UH to team up
A new collaboration between the University of Houston and Hewlett Packard Enterprise will aim to use data science for solving problems in health care, energy and other local industries.
The two organizations on Friday announced that Hewlett Packard Enterprise will give $10 million to the university’s Data Science Institute, which will be renamed the Hewlett Packard Enterprise Data Science Institute.
The money from Hewlett Packard Enterprise will also provide funding for a scholarship endowment and equipment to enhance data science research activities. In addition, Hewlett Packard Enterprise leaders will become lecturers for UH classes, and UH researchers can help solve problems for Hewlett Packard Enterprise customers.
Students will likewise work on research areas suggested by Hewlett Packard Enterprise, part of an effort to focus on realworld problems.
“A significant portion of our workforce here are alumni, so we are thrilled to have an opportunity to drive innovation in data science and shape the future workforce in that area,” Mark Potter, chief technology officer for Hewlett Packard Enterprise, said in a news release. “We look forward to continuing to expand the partnership over time and tackling meaningful research that will accelerate discoveries for the industry.”
The Data Science Institute is a relatively new program for the university, announced just one year ago.
Florida company purchases local wastewater firm
AUC Group, a Houston-based provider of wastewater treatment solutions, has been acquired by Aqua Venture Holdings, the companies announced.
“We will continue to provide superior wastewater treatment plants, finance options, customer service and expanded solutions in the market,” AUC Group president Todd Mueller said in an announcement. “Not only will this change be seamless, but will also allow us to better serve the needs of our customers, adding to the Aqua Venture portfolio in the wastewater and water reuse businesses.”
Aqua Venture, a publicly traded company based in Tampa, Fla., provides water services through its Quench and Seven Seas Water businesses. Quench provides filtered water systems and related services, while Seven Seas Water provides desalination and wastewater treatment solutions to government, municipal, industrial and hospitality customers.
The purchase price totaled about $130 million, Aqua Venture Holdings said.
“AUC’s business model of offering fully financed solutions with long-term customer relationships mirrors Aqua Venture’s existing portfolio while broadening our footprint in the United States,” Aqua Venture Holdings chairman and CEO Doug Brown said in a separate statement. “We welcome our new teammates and customers to the Aqua Venture family.”
AUC Group provides scalable modular treatment plants, field erected treatment plants and temporary bypass plants to developers and municipal and other customers. The company, which also has offices in offices in Arizona and Alabama, has handled more than 1,500 installations since its founding in 1970.
RCI Hospitality finishes acquisition of Pittsburgh club
RCI Hospitality Holdings has completed the previously announced acquisition of Blush Gentlemen’s Club & Sports Bar in downtown Pittsburgh.
The sale includes related real estate at 135 9th St. and 901-903 Penn Ave.
“We’re pleased to have Blush join our portfolio of quality establishments in top metro markets,” RCI’s president and CEO Eric Langan said in an announcement. “With its ability to generate $3 millionplus annually in adjusted EBITDA, Blush is a profitable, cash flowing number one club in a market that is home to great sports teams, leading universities, and well-established and emerging industries.”
The company said it paid $2.5 million in cash and $7.5 million in seller financing for the club, plus $5 million in cash for the two connected buildings, which also contain retail tenants.
RCI Hospitality Holdings operates more than 40 gentlemen’s clubs and sports bars/ restaurants under the Rick’s Cabaret, XTC, Club Onyx, Vivid Cabaret, Jaguars, Tootsie’s Cabaret, Scarlett’s Cabaret and Bombshells Restaurant & Bar brands.
The company recently completed the acquisition of VIP’s Gentlemen’s Club in Chicago.
The University of Houston, top left, is getting $10 million from Hewlett Packard Enterprise for the Data Science Institute, including cash for scholarships and research.
Aqua Venture Holdings has acquired AUC Group, a Houston-based provider of wastewater treatment solutions.
RCI Hospitality, top right, operates a number of gentlemen’s clubs in the country, plus Bombshells Restaurant & Bars.