Show overview
Energytech Startups has been publishing since 2022, and across the 4 years since has built a catalogue of 88 episodes. That works out to roughly 85 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence.
Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 52 min and 1h 1m — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Business show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 1 weeks ago, with 7 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2024, with 25 episodes published. Published by collide..
From the publisher
They say everything's bigger in Texas, including climate change. That's why Houston is leading the energy transition. Here in H-Town, the fourth largest city in the United States, entrepreneurs from across Texas and around the world are gathering to work with titans of industry to build the technology that will reduce emissions and power a low carbon future. Welcome to Energytech Startups with Nada Ahmed and Jason Ethier. We sit down with those change makers and wildcatters who are solving the toughest energy challenges with trillions of dollars on the line. We dig into how Houston will bring technology to market on a massive scale. Join us as we talk with the leaders of the energy capital of the world as they show us how the energy transition gets done.
Latest Episodes
View all 88 episodesMo (Mohammed) Saadat from Stratahub
Eric Rubenstein from New Climate Ventures
Ep 94Donald Kendall from New Climate Ventures
Venture capital in the energy transition is getting more complicated, but Donald R. Kendall Jr., General Partner at New Climate Ventures, says the multi-trillion dollar opportunity isn't going anywhere. We get into how they find picks and shovels plays in crowded markets, what $100 oil means for climate startups, why management teams matter more than technology, and what it actually takes to get a first-of-a-kind project financed.Click here to watch a video of this episode.Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to view the episode transcript. 0:00 New Climate Ventures and Investment Thesis8:00 Data Centers, Cooling, and Energy Independence10:00 $100 Oil and What It Means for the Energy Transition14:00 SAF, Carbon Alternatives, and Portfolio Companies21:00 Don's Background in Project Finance and Early Renewables26:00 SolarCity, Financial Engineering, and Residential Solar32:00 What Makes a Fundable Team38:00 The State of Venture Capital for Climate42:00 Why Invest in Climate Over AI43:00 Houston's Role in the Energy Transition49:00 Most Exciting Technologies Right Now51:00 Wildlife Conservation and Closinghttps://twitter.com/collide_aihttps://www.tiktok.com/@collide.iohttps://www.facebook.com/collide.iohttps://www.instagram.com/collide.iohttps://www.youtube.com/@collide_iohttps://bsky.app/profile/collide-ai.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/collideai
Ep 93Ashish Gupta & Siddhartha (Sid) Paul from KonsciousPlanet/KP Labs
Critical metals like nickel and cobalt are slipping through the cracks and into landfills, and KP Labs is on a mission to get them back. Dr. Ashish Gupta and Siddhartha Paul, CEO and CTO and co-founders of KonsciousPlanet/KP Labs, break down how bacteria can pull valuable metals from e-waste, why recycling is really just energy independence in disguise, and why they're calling it urban mining.Click here to watch a video of this episode.Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to view the episode transcript. 0:00 - Intro and KP Labs origin story3:26 - How the e-waste recycling technology works8:39 - Black mass, battery chemistry, and the logistics problem11:00 - America's recycling problem14:40 - Democratizing the recycling process18:29 - Commercialization plans and funding24:02 - Founders' backgrounds and how they met30:00 - Challenges in energy transition investing35:39 - Houston ecosystem and helpful resources38:07 - Investor misconceptions and how to pitch it right42:58 - Reframing the business as urban mining44:13 - What KP Labs is looking for right nowhttps://twitter.com/collide_aihttps://www.tiktok.com/@collide.iohttps://www.facebook.com/collide.iohttps://www.instagram.com/collide.iohttps://www.youtube.com/@collide_iohttps://bsky.app/profile/collide-ai.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/collideai
Ep 92Imran Kizilbash & Abhinav Jain from Titanium Innovation Investments
The industrial world is still running on manual processes and siloed data while our phones got smarter ten times over, and that gap is exactly where Titanium Innovation Investments is placing its bets. Abhinav Jain and Imran Kizilbash, co-founders and managing partners at Titanium Innovation Investments, break down what it actually takes to sell tech into enterprises that move slow by design, why product market fit is something you can lose just as fast as you find it, and how they evaluate founding teams when the revenue is basically zero. Plus some real talk on Houston's startup ecosystem and whether the city has the deal flow to back up the ambition.Click here to watch a video of this episode.Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to view the episode transcript. 0:00 Introduction1:00 Titanium Innovation Investments thesis and origin story4:17 Why industrial tech adoption lags behind consumer tech7:01 Data as an asset in M&A and enterprise transactions10:23 Imran and Abhinav's career journeys from field to finance15:04 What product market fit actually looks like at seed stage19:24 Unit economics and business models in hard tech vs software29:56 Cutting through the AI hype in industrial applications34:23 Data ownership, legal challenges, and enterprise selling40:16 Change management and why adoption cycles are longer43:21 Portfolio construction and sector diversification50:13 Houston's startup ecosystem and deal sourcing nationally1:04:18 Advice for founders on fundraising and building trusthttps://twitter.com/collide_aihttps://www.tiktok.com/@collide.iohttps://www.facebook.com/collide.iohttps://www.instagram.com/collide.iohttps://www.youtube.com/@collide_iohttps://bsky.app/profile/collide-ai.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/collideai
Ep 91Jamal Khawaja from Symplii.ai
Jamal Khawaja, founder and managing director of Symplii.ai, sits down to talk about his journey from studying scorpion mating habits in Brazil (seriously) to 25 years in tech at IBM, Deloitte, and Accenture before starting his own AI company. He breaks down why AI has been around since the 1960s but only recently became useful, how emergent capabilities let models do things they were never programmed for, and why entry-level jobs are facing the roughest market he's ever seen. Jamal explains his pivot from building an AI marketplace to focusing on last mile AI solutions for small companies, walks through a real example of AI agents listening to law firm client calls to auto-fill forms, and shares why being AI-first means doing the work yourself instead of delegating it to interns.Click here to watch a video of this episode.Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to view the episode transcript. 00:00 - Welcome and Jamal's background02:12 - From biology to self-taught tech07:16 - Houston's pragmatic startup culture08:07 - AI history since the 1960s11:24 - From precision to statistical significance14:17 - Emergent capabilities and what models can do17:37 - Can AI actually think?19:16 - Leaving IBM to start Symplii21:18 - Entry-level job market collapse24:57 - Are people getting lazy with AI?30:54 - Claude projects and AI workflows34:16 - Taking the leap with family support36:15 - Pivoting from marketplace to last mile AI41:06 - Law firm client intake automation example45:27 - Building for future context awareness48:32 - AI guardrails and pragmatic reality50:35 - Advice for being truly AI-firsthttps://twitter.com/collide_iohttps://www.tiktok.com/@collide.iohttps://www.facebook.com/collide.iohttps://www.instagram.com/collide.iohttps://www.youtube.com/@collide_iohttps://bsky.app/profile/digitalwildcatters.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/collide-digital-wildcatters
Ep 90Mehrab Momin from aiCTO
AI has been “old news” since the 1950s, but Mehrab Momin of aiCTO Services breaks down why it suddenly feels everywhere, how founders should actually think about AI (data first, buzzwords later), and why Houston’s physical-world industries might be the perfect playground for the next wave, from vision models to humanoid robots.Click here to watch a video of this episode.Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to view the episode transcript. 00:00 Show intro and guest setup 01:10 Fractional AI CTO explained 03:10 Early AI work and swarm intelligence 05:10 AI “flavors” from ML to deep learning 07:10 Transformers and the LLM leap 09:10 Where AI shows up in industry 12:00 Language, context, and why LLMs work 18:00 Energy AI applications and examples 19:30 Computer vision basics and VLMs 23:30 Open source models and fine-tuning 26:20 Houston vs Bay Area AI maturity 29:20 Solar, drones, and practical vision AI 31:00 Humanoid robots and physical AI 33:20 Edge computing and model stacks 36:00 Testing, validation, and “AI going rogue” 37:20 Common startup mistakes with AI 40:20 Human intuition vs machine intelligence 48:00 Language preservation and climate tech link 51:20 What’s next for Houston startups 53:50 How to connect and wrap-up https://twitter.com/collide_iohttps://www.tiktok.com/@collide.iohttps://www.facebook.com/collide.iohttps://www.instagram.com/collide.iohttps://www.youtube.com/@collide_iohttps://bsky.app/profile/digitalwildcatters.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/collide-digital-wildcatters
Ep 89Thomas Chepucavage from Zenthos Energy
Zenthos Energy is tackling two big challenges at once: energy storage and carbon capture. Their aluminum batteries aren’t just safer and cheaper than the usual lithium or cobalt options, they also last longer and actually create value by capturing CO2 and producing graphite along the way. Born in Albuquerque and now teaming up with Sandia National Labs and New Mexico State, the team is scaling solutions big enough for utilities, data centers, and microgrids, while also finding uses in military and remote applications. It’s a story of tech, partnerships, and ambition, with a clear mission to push gigawatt-scale solutions into the mainstream of sustainable energy.Click here to watch a video of this episode.Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to view the episode transcript. 00:00 - EnergyTech Nexus00:16 - Introducing Dev Motiram00:52 - Interview with Tom Chappell, CEO of Zenthos Energy09:45 - Tom's Journey into the Energy Industry11:36 - CO2 Capture Potential12:18 - Revenue Streams in Energy Tech13:56 - Energy Initiatives in Albuquerque15:38 - Non-Dilutive Funding Strategies17:30 - Fundraising Journey in Energy Startups21:06 - Addressing the Missing Middle24:01 - EnergyTech Nexus24:15 - Strategic Partnerships for Growth25:45 - Assessing Risk in Energy Ventures27:46 - Innovations in Aluminum Ion Batteries28:44 - Scaling Energy Solutions29:45 - Criteria for Investability31:05 - Current Goals in Energy Development32:10 - Insights from Houston's Energy Scene33:05 - Key Takeaways from the Week36:20 - Investor Discussions and Focus Areas37:40 - Manufacturing Considerations in Energy Tech40:50 - Defining Product Market Fit41:35 - How to Support Zenthos Energy43:28 - Final Thoughts and Closing Remarkshttps://twitter.com/collide_iohttps://www.tiktok.com/@collide.iohttps://www.facebook.com/collide.iohttps://www.instagram.com/collide.iohttps://www.youtube.com/@collide_iohttps://bsky.app/profile/digitalwildcatters.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/collide-digital-wildcatters
Ep 88Sandy Guitar from TEX-E
Houston’s got big plans for the energy transition, and Sandy Guitar is right in the middle of it. As Executive Director of TEX-E, she’s helping connect Texas universities (and even MIT) with industry to make sure the next wave of talent has the tools, and the confidence, to take on climate and energy challenges. We swapped stories about how Houston’s legacy as the energy capital is shaping its role as the energy transition capital, the value of disciplined entrepreneurship, and why collaboration across students, startups, and industry leaders is the secret sauce. If you’re curious about how the next generation of innovators is being built right here in Texas, Sandy’s perspective is a masterclass in turning vision into action.Click here to watch a video of this episode.Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to view the episode transcript. 00:00 - Intro00:58 - What is TEXI08:12 - Favorite Book Recommendations16:16 - Disciplined Entrepreneurship Insights18:20 - Career Journey to Venture Capital20:14 - Entering Venture Capital24:30 - Skills for Success in VC28:15 - Pivotal Career Moments33:20 - EnergyTech Nexus Growth Platform37:57 - Luck vs Skill in Venture Capital41:10 - Evolving Team Dynamics46:10 - Economic Downturn Impact on Tech49:18 - Understanding Capital Flows53:24 - How Listeners Can Help57:20 - Conclusionhttps://twitter.com/collide_iohttps://www.tiktok.com/@collide.iohttps://www.facebook.com/collide.iohttps://www.instagram.com/collide.iohttps://www.youtube.com/@collide_iohttps://bsky.app/profile/digitalwildcatters.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/collide-digital-wildcatters
Ep 87Emily Avagliano from Resollant Inc.
Resollant is shaking up hydrogen production with a twist that sounds almost too good to be true, turning natural gas into hydrogen and graphite, without the need for air permits or government handouts. Emily Avagliano, the founder behind the idea, walks us through how her turquoise hydrogen reactors not only cut costs but also capture carbon as a solid product you can actually sell. That means less CO2 floating around and more opportunities for industries to profit while cleaning things up. Jason and Nada dig into what this could mean for oil, gas, and other sectors trying to figure out decarbonization without slowing down their business. It’s a look at how one startup might just rewrite the playbook for clean energy.Click here to watch a video of this episode.Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to view the episode transcript. 00:00 - Ad: Energy Tech Nexus - Connect with fellow founders and access critical resources00:16 - Emily Avagliano, CEO of Resolent00:45 - Overview of Resolent05:01 - Understanding Entrained Flow Reactors08:52 - Introduction to Turquoise Hydrogen11:27 - Ideal Clients for the Resilient Reactor14:53 - Development of the Resilient Reactor19:15 - Involvement with Resilient Energy Systems22:28 - Starting a Company in Energy Tech24:10 - Corporate Partnerships and Expectations28:58 - Joining Accelerators: Key Learnings31:00 - Insights on EnergyTech Nexus35:54 - Overview of Rice Clean Energy Accelerator38:20 - Embracing the CEO Role in Startups39:50 - Qualities of an Effective CEO42:49 - Importance of Sales Skills45:00 - Emotional Management for CEOs48:51 - Learning from Customer Feedback49:05 - Future Outlook for Energy Tech52:26 - Emily's Vision for the Next 10 Years54:03 - Contact Information for Emily55:13 - Acknowledgments and Thank You'shttps://twitter.com/collide_iohttps://www.tiktok.com/@collide.iohttps://www.facebook.com/collide.iohttps://www.instagram.com/collide.iohttps://www.youtube.com/@collide_iohttps://bsky.app/profile/digitalwildcatters.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/collide-digital-wildcatters
Ep 86Aaron Fitzgerald from Mars Materials
Turning CO₂ into carbon fiber sounds like science fiction, but Aaron Fitzgerald and the crew at Mars Materials are making it happen. Their process creates carbon-negative acrylonitrile, the stuff that goes into everything from sleek carbon fiber to water filters and high-tech textiles and they’re doing it with big-name partners like NREL and Shell. Aaron talks about reshoring carbon fiber production to the U.S., cutting carbon from supply chains, and what it takes to build a climate-driven company from the ground up. It’s a mix of chemistry, entrepreneurship, and a clear vision for a more sustainable future.Click here to watch a video of this episode.Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to view the episode transcript. 00:00 - Energy Tech Nexus00:17 - Intro to Mars Materials03:48 - Aaron’s Background in Energy08:11 - Overview of Kairos Aerospace10:46 - Understanding Acrylonitrile14:33 - Acrylonitrile Production Process17:29 - The Sohio Process Explained22:04 - National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)24:40 - Tech Transfer from National Labs27:39 - Finding the Right Technology29:26 - Carbon180 Overview30:35 - Collaborating with Lawrence Livermore Lab32:19 - EnergyTechNexus Insights33:56 - LabStart Initiatives35:37 - Request for Information (RFI) Explained38:36 - Building a Business Deliberately41:15 - Mars Materials Today and Future48:30 - Fundraising Strategies52:40 - What's Next for Mars Materials54:45 - Erin's Shell Partnership Journey57:16 - Shell's Support for Erin1:00:11 - Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts1:03:44 - How to Help Mars Materials1:06:20 - Outrohttps://twitter.com/collide_iohttps://www.tiktok.com/@collide.iohttps://www.facebook.com/collide.iohttps://www.instagram.com/collide.iohttps://www.youtube.com/@collide_iohttps://bsky.app/profile/digitalwildcatters.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/collide-digital-wildcatters
Ep 85Rekha Patel from Xrathus, Inc.
Innovation doesn’t have to be slow or siloed and Xrathus is out to prove it. Rekha Patel walks us through how her platform is breaking down barriers between teams, helping everyone from scrappy startups to NASA-level giants turn their ideas into real, working solutions. It’s part hackathon engine, part crowdsourcing hub, and all about making collaboration easy, fast, and actually fun. If you’re building, leading, or dreaming something big, this one’s for you.Click here to watch a video of this episode.Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to view the episode transcript. 00:00 - Intro00:25 - Rekha Patel, Founder & CEO of Xerathis03:42 - Rekha’s Career Journey: Geologist to Tech Entrepreneur11:28 - CEO Role Decision: Insights and Reflections19:20 - Understanding the Ideal Customer Profile23:23 - User Interaction on the Platform: A Deep Dive26:24 - Finding Advisors: Strategies for Success29:01 - Energy Tech Nexus35:05 - Meeting Pradeep: Networking in Tech37:05 - Pricing Strategy for Tech Products40:10 - Advice to My Past Self: Lessons Learned46:54 - Guidance for Mid-Career Professionals51:48 - Co-Founder Search: Tips and Tricks56:19 - Future of Xerathis: Vision and Goals1:00:24 - The Meaning Behind the Name Xerathis1:03:10 - How to Find Rekha: Contact Information1:03:19 - Connect with Rekha on LinkedIn: Networking Tipshttps://twitter.com/collide_iohttps://www.tiktok.com/@collide.iohttps://www.facebook.com/collide.iohttps://www.instagram.com/collide.iohttps://www.youtube.com/@collide_iohttps://bsky.app/profile/digitalwildcatters.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/collide-digital-wildcatters
Ep 82Ian Uriarte from Spindletop AI
What happens when old-school oilfields meet new-school tech? You get something like Spindletop AI, think machine learning and edge computing tailored for mid-sized operators trying to squeeze more out of every drop. Ian’s built a platform that helps producers ditch the spreadsheets and start making smarter, faster decisions right in the field. We talk about managing marginal wells, building hardware on a budget, and how he’s helping folks bump production by double digits. There’s also a great origin story behind the name Spindletop, plus some real talk on what it takes to launch a startup in the energy world without losing your mind (or your budget).Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to view the episode transcript. 00:00 - Energy Tech Nexus00:16 - Intro to Ian Uriarte05:40 - Lifecycle of an Oil Well12:19 - TimberGrove vs Spindletop17:29 - Spindletop's Innovations19:14 - Spindletop Network Functionality25:42 - Spindletop's Current Journey34:00 - Insights from the Pilot Program34:42 - Achieving 17% Improvement40:18 - Fundraising Journey Overview47:15 - Motivations Behind Spindletop50:48 - Current Opportunities for Spindletop51:39 - Audience Support for Spindletop53:34 - Learning More About Spindletophttps://twitter.com/collide_iohttps://www.tiktok.com/@collide.iohttps://www.facebook.com/collide.iohttps://www.instagram.com/collide.iohttps://www.youtube.com/@collide_iohttps://bsky.app/profile/digitalwildcatters.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/collide-digital-wildcatters
Ep 81Anwar Sadek from CORROLYTICS
Corrosion isn’t just rusty metal, it's a billion-dollar buzzkill that sneaks into everything from oil rigs to your local water plant. Luckily, we've got someone who’s flipping the script on this hidden villain using some seriously clever tech. He's developed tools that sniff out microbial corrosion right at the source, helping companies slash costs, stay safe, and shrink their carbon footprint. We chat about how sneaky microbes cause chaos in pipelines, biodiesel tanks, and even HVAC systems—and why those old-school detection methods just don't cut it anymore. Plus, hear his story from PhD researcher to startup founder, building a mission-driven company that's shaking up industries for the better.Click here to watch a video of this episode. Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to view the episode transcript. 00:00 - Energy Tech Startups Overview00:24 - What Does CORROLYTICS Do?05:05 - Types of Corrosion Explained08:17 - Corrosion Mitigation Strategies14:05 - Early Traction & Customer Use Cases18:15 - Journey into Entrepreneurship23:35 - Academia to Entrepreneurship Transition26:38 - Leading the Decarbonization Charge28:49 - Moments of CEO Leadership37:37 - Advice for Your Younger Self38:00 - Building Relationships with Stakeholders39:30 - Raising Your First Million41:16 - Anwar’s Fundraising Journey45:18 - External Factors in Fundraising48:20 - Fundraising in the Energy Sector50:40 - Impact Metrics & Carbon Abatement52:30 - Contacting Anwar https://twitter.com/collide_iohttps://www.tiktok.com/@collide.iohttps://www.facebook.com/collide.iohttps://www.instagram.com/collide.iohttps://www.youtube.com/@collide_iohttps://bsky.app/profile/digitalwildcatters.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/collide-digital-wildcatters
Ep 83Bryton Praslicka from FluxWorks
Magnetic gearboxes built for the moon? Yeah, you read that right. Bryton Praslicka started out zapping circuits in his garage as a kid and ended up engineering contactless gear systems originally meant for NASA and now they’re showing up in everything from factory robots to aerospace tech. In this episode, he breaks down how FluxWorks went from a research lab to raising \$5M to bring its sci-fi-sounding gearboxes into the real world. We talk about why “motion solutions” are bigger than gears, what it takes to scale hard tech, and how magnetic tech is changing the game for robotics and automation.Click here to watch a video of this episode.Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to view the episode transcript. 00:00 - Bryton Praslicka Intro01:14 - Causes of Wear and Tear in Systems06:06 - Invention of FluxWorks Technology09:17 - How FluxWorks' Magnetic Gear Operates12:14 - Understanding Slippage in Technology14:15 - Finding Value in Society through Innovation18:17 - Deciding to Start a Company21:39 - Tailoring Pitches for Different Audiences23:23 - The Importance of Storytelling in Business24:26 - Snobby Founder Moment Explained26:25 - Insights from EnergyTechNexus26:40 - Hiring Strategies for Startups27:00 - Managing Older Employees Effectively28:10 - Defining Mission, Vision, and Core Values31:40 - Deciding on Core Values for Your Company33:24 - Overcoming Significant Challenges in Business37:35 - Navigating the Fundraising Journey40:45 - Learning Fundraising Terminology42:30 - Fundraising Beyond Texas45:33 - Misunderstandings in Hard Tech Companies49:24 - Legacy: What Do You Want to Be Remembered For?51:20 - Contacting Jason for Insights52:40 - Podcast Wrap-Uphttps://twitter.com/collide_iohttps://www.tiktok.com/@collide.iohttps://www.facebook.com/collide.iohttps://www.instagram.com/collide.iohttps://www.youtube.com/@collide_iohttps://bsky.app/profile/digitalwildcatters.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/collide-digital-wildcatters
Ep 80Matthew Dawson from Elementium Materials
Batteries might not seem sexy, but they're literally powering the future and turns out, we've all been sleeping on electrolytes. We sat down with someone who's shaking things up by rethinking battery design from the inside out, focusing on the underrated electrolyte layer to boost performance, cut costs, and make charging quicker (and safer!). We talk about what it takes to scale a hard tech startup, snag superstar talent, and keep investors happy when funding's tough. Plus, why the battery tech coming your way, think EVs, huge storage solutions, even robots is cooler (and closer) than you think.Click here to watch a video of this episode.Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to view the episode transcript. 00:00 - Energy Tech Nexus00:16 - What is an electrolyte04:19 - History of Batteries07:01 - Matt's Career Path09:49 - Importance of Trust in Business14:02 - Technology Deployment Strategies17:42 - Electrolyte Sales Process19:59 - Customer Feedback Insights22:14 - End Users Driving Innovation26:05 - Why Now: Market Timing28:21 - Protecting Your Business31:25 - ETN: Sign Up for Updates31:38 - Electrolyte Delivery Methods34:29 - Battery Disposal Practices39:24 - End Market Strategy42:11 - Challenges in Startup Phase43:10 - Starting a Company Today44:34 - Talent Acquisition Strategies49:26 - Self-Selecting Talent51:42 - Fundraising for Startups54:28 - Investor Outreach Strategies56:18 - Setting Bold Goals59:20 - Impact of Politics on Business1:02:12 - Future Vision: 5-Year Plan1:05:37 - How to Connect with Matthttps://twitter.com/collide_iohttps://www.tiktok.com/@collide.iohttps://www.facebook.com/collide.iohttps://www.instagram.com/collide.iohttps://www.youtube.com/@collide_iohttps://bsky.app/profile/digitalwildcatters.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/collide-digital-wildcatters
Ep 77Rhiannon Parker from Loop Bioproducts
Who knew cactus could be the future of clean energy and sustainable farming? Rhiannon Parker, the brains behind Loop Bioproducts, is flipping the script by turning prickly pear into biofuels, eco-friendly products, and a lifeline for dry, worn-out land. We get into her wild ride from neuroscience to oil and gas to renewable energy, why she bootstrapped her company instead of chasing VC money, and how she’s weaving regenerative agriculture and indigenous knowledge into the heart of everything she builds. Plus, a peek into her passion project, the Loop Institute, where she’s sparking a new wave of STEM innovation.Click here to watch a video of this episode.Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to view the episode transcript. 00:00 - Energy Tech Nexus00:15 - Intro01:29 - What is Loop Bioproducts06:12 - Skills from Previous Experiences09:34 - Value of Diverse Experience12:57 - Importance of Cactus in Sustainability17:34 - Cactus Photosynthesis Process20:40 - Mechanical Harvesting Techniques21:36 - Loop Bioproducts Business Model23:26 - Sourcing Cactus for Production26:40 - Acquiring Land for Agriculture31:41 - Regenerative Agriculture Practices36:26 - Importance of Timing in Agriculture39:34 - Current Consumer Trends43:40 - Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainability49:00 - Understanding Biopiracy Issues50:00 - Reasons for Avoiding Venture Capital55:10 - Statistical Behavior in Business57:55 - Expertise in Emerging Industries01:03:05 - Contacting Loop Bioproducts and The Loop Institutehttps://twitter.com/collide_iohttps://www.tiktok.com/@collide.iohttps://www.facebook.com/collide.iohttps://www.instagram.com/collide.iohttps://www.youtube.com/@collide_iohttps://bsky.app/profile/digitalwildcatters.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/collide-digital-wildcatters
Ep 78Mush Khan from Alchemy Industrial
Energy storage isn’t just about batteries, it’s about reshaping the future of American manufacturing, and Mush Khan knows it firsthand. From running supply chains in China to now building Alchemy Industrial from the ground up, Mush breaks down how storing energy is a lot like caching data, why the U.S. needs to get serious about reshoring, and how Houston could become the next hub for advanced manufacturing. He also gets real about the role of education, talent, and tech like AI in bringing industrial innovation back home. It’s a mix of big ideas, practical insight, and one guy’s mission to build smarter from the ground up.Click here to watch a video of this episode.Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to view the episode transcript. 00:00 - Intro08:11 - Reshoring Strategies in Manufacturing11:35 - Patience in Industry Transformation19:09 - Government Regulations Impacting Energy Tech21:22 - WWII Manufacturing Success Story24:41 - Understanding Tariffs in Energy Sector28:14 - Building a Talent Pipeline for Tech31:03 - Importance of Technical Education33:28 - Addressing Systemic Issues in Manufacturing35:45 - The Role of Automation in Industry38:23 - Defining Wealth in Modern Context41:14 - Exploring Comfort in Today's Economy43:26 - Defining Success in Energy Tech45:22 - Houston as a Global Manufacturing Hub48:50 - Challenges in the Education System52:49 - The Power of Storytelling in Tech54:56 - Tackling the Talent Shortage Crisis55:53 - AI's Role in Revolutionizing Manufacturing1:04:13 - Getting Started with AI in Industry1:05:42 - Innovations in Additive Manufacturing1:07:17 - Closing Remarks and Future Insightshttps://twitter.com/collide_iohttps://www.tiktok.com/@collide.iohttps://www.facebook.com/collide.iohttps://www.instagram.com/collide.iohttps://www.youtube.com/@collide_iohttps://bsky.app/profile/digitalwildcatters.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/collide-digital-wildcatters
Ep 76Ngu Morcho from Vitellaria PdDC
Energy tech meets real-world impact in this one, Ngu Morcho shares how he's helping startups unlock overlooked markets with a boots-on-the-ground approach that blends health, energy, and finance into something seriously transformative. We’re talking about building infrastructure that actually serves people, not just pipelines and panels. From mobilizing patient capital to creating ecosystems that stick, this convo explores what it really takes to bring equity and sustainability to places that need it most.Click here to watch a video of this episode.Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to view the episode transcript. 00:00 - Intro05:04 - Monetizing Energy Projects09:56 - Need for Project Developers11:36 - Origin of the Rice Alliance15:29 - Integrated Project Delivery & Finance20:19 - Local Capacity Building Importance23:20 - EnergyTech Nexus Overview26:13 - Current Projects in Development34:10 - Understanding Blended Finance38:40 - US Infrastructure & Energy Equity41:55 - Future Vision for Energy Sectorhttps://twitter.com/collide_iohttps://www.tiktok.com/@collide.iohttps://www.facebook.com/collide.iohttps://www.instagram.com/collide.iohttps://www.youtube.com/@collide_iohttps://bsky.app/profile/digitalwildcatters.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/collide-digital-wildcatters
Ep 74David Aaronson from Refuel Electric Vehicle Solutions
Apartments and EV chargers, why is it such a headache? That’s exactly what we’re tackling with David Aaronson, the real estate pro behind Refuel Electric Vehicle Solutions. With EV adoption skyrocketing, renters are demanding charging options, but property owners are stuck figuring out how to make it work. David’s company is cutting through the red tape, bringing EV charging to 83 cities and counting, while making it painless (and profitable) for landlords. We’re talking infrastructure hurdles, ESG priorities, and how EV charging is shaping the future of multifamily living, because let’s be real, the days of hunting for an open charging spot are numbered.Click here to watch a video of this episode.Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to view the episode transcript. 00:00 - EnergyTech Nexus00:16 - Refuel EV Solutions04:31 - EVs in Norway05:54 - EVs in Houston10:22 - Refuel’s Business Model16:23 - Sizing an Installation20:45 - Solar and Battery Integration22:15 - Managing EV Charging Duration26:59 - Geographic Differences in EV Charging28:50 - Innovation vs. Invention in EVs35:37 - David Aaronson's Background40:14 - Starting Revs: Journey and Insights49:25 - Impact of EV Tax Credit on Business55:14 - Government Incentives for EV Charging57:40 - Role of Utility Companies in EV Charging59:58 - Aligning Revs' Interests with Customers1:00:30 - How to Find ReFuel Energy Solutionshttps://twitter.com/collide_iohttps://www.tiktok.com/@collide.iohttps://www.facebook.com/collide.iohttps://www.instagram.com/collide.iohttps://www.youtube.com/@collide_iohttps://bsky.app/profile/digitalwildcatters.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/collide-digital-wildcatters