Energy Tech Startups

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

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

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

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

Innovation doesn’t have to be slow or siloed and Xerathis 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