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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Finding the right talent in energy is a headache, but EnergyGigs is flipping the script. CEO Jason Assir joins us to talk about how his platform is making it easier for companies to connect with consultants, freelancers, and even retirees without all the hiring red tape. We get into why traditional hiring doesn’t work for this industry, how AI is shaking things up, and why the future of energy work is looking more flexible than ever, think project-based roles, geothermal experts in demand, and a surge in hydrogen-focused gigs. Jason’s got a unique take on careers, too, challenging the idea that you have to stick to just one lane. If you’re in energy and tired of the same old hiring grind, this one’s for you.
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Tackling the 40-gigaton CO2 problem isn’t for the faint of heart, but Yao Huang is all in, turning climate challenges into financial opportunities with some seriously cool tech. After two decades in the tech world, a pandemic epiphany sent her full speed into climate investing, and now she’s using algae photobioreactors (yes, algae!) to capture carbon at scale while creating useful byproducts like oils and fertilizers. She breaks down why traditional VC thinking doesn’t cut it in climate tech, how industries like coal and cement can actually profit from going green, and why collaboration—not competition, is the key to making real change happen. If you think climate solutions are all about sacrifice, Yao’s going to make you rethink everything.
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AI and sustainability—two buzzwords that actually make a lot of sense together, especially when you’ve got sharp minds like Robin Goswami and Sandeep Roy putting them to work. These guys built Planckton Data to crack one of the biggest challenges in energy and industrial markets: making carbon footprints actually measurable (instead of just a marketing buzzword). From filling in the massive data gaps in supply chains to helping companies navigate sustainability regulations without drowning in paperwork, they’re proving that AI isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a game-changer. Toss in some wild stories from their careers at Infosys, McKinsey, and even the BP oil spill response, and you’ve got an episode packed with insights, real-world impact, and a little startup chaos.
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Houston isn’t just the oil and gas capital—it’s shaping up to be the energy innovation hub of the future, and Nada Ahmed and Jason Ethier are right in the middle of it. As the brains behind EnergyTechNexus, they’re building a launchpad for startups tackling the energy trilemma: security, affordability, and sustainability. We’re talking everything from carbon capture to nuclear’s big comeback and how Houston’s industrial muscle makes it the perfect testing ground for game-changing tech. Plus, why they’re betting on “thunder lizards” instead of unicorns and what that means for the next wave of energy startups.
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Click here to watch a video of this episode.00:00 - EnergyTech Nexus Ad
00:21 - Energy Trilemma
00:32 - Podcast Introduction
02:29 - Hosts' Check-in
07:23 - Goodwin Ad
08:17 - Overview of EnergyTech Nexus
14:26 - Greentown Labs Houston's Support for Startups
14:52 - Collaborations with Green Chemicals Companies
17:13 - Future Climate Juggernauts
22:18 - Impact of New Administration on Clean Energy
25:40 - US Oil Exporting and Price Effects
29:24 - Energy Tech Nexus Insights
29:40 - Fracking and Methane Capture Techniques
32:10 - Climate Tech Positioning Strategies
36:15 - Competing with China in Energy
38:30 - Energy Deprivation Challenges
41:29 - Episode Conclusion
42:05 - Nuclear Energy Trajectory Solutions
46:57 - Oil Majors' Role in Clean Tech Ecosystem
51:55 - Energy Transition and Corporate Investment Strategies
54:05 - Strategic Investment Criteria for Startups
57:49 - Podcast Outro
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Plastic doesn’t have to be the villain of the story anymore—Rheom Materials is flipping the script. From brewing kombucha to brewing up a whole new way of thinking about sustainable plastics, they’re proving that bio-based, biodegradable materials can hold their own against petrochemical giants. In this chat, you’ll hear about the wild ride from Zimri T. Hinshaw’s beginnings to Rheom’s breakthrough materials that work with existing manufacturing setups, why Houston’s energy hub is a hot spot for climate tech, and what it takes to scale a startup that’s shaking up an industry. If you’ve ever wondered how innovation meets practicality in the fight against plastic waste, this one’s for you.
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Workplace safety just got a serious upgrade thanks to some cutting-edge AI tech that turns your regular ol’ CCTV cameras into safety superheroes. We’re talking about a system that spots hazards, flags unsafe behavior (without naming and shaming), and keeps things running smoothly in high-risk industries like oil and gas. The brains behind this innovation? A safety engineer-turned-entrepreneur who took his experience from Nigeria to Houston and built VisionTech —a game-changer for safety culture. With insights on balancing safety, HR, and management, plus a vision to tackle everything from oil rigs to home offices, this episode dives into the challenges, wins, and future of making workplaces safer with tech that’s as smart as it is practical.
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Energy tech startups face a unique maze of legal pitfalls, and we’re breaking it all down with tips and strategies that could save your company. From dodging toxic investment terms like full ratchets to navigating funding rounds without losing founder control, we’ll unpack what works (and what doesn’t) in this high-stakes world. Ever wonder why project finance often beats venture capital in energy tech? Or how to connect with coastal VCs when you’re rooted in Houston’s energy scene? Whether it’s structuring deals, managing down rounds, or building investor relationships, this convo blends Silicon Valley savvy with Texas grit to give you the inside scoop on steering your startup toward success.
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