About this episode
Houston’s energy scene isn’t just about oil and gas, it’s a wild world of startups, big ideas, and the uphill battle of getting funding in an industry built on tradition. Jason and Nada from Energy Tech Nexus join Chuck to talk about what it really takes to build an energy tech company in this city, from wrangling investors to breaking through the old-school mindset. They’re on a mission to turn Houston into a true innovation hub, connecting founders with the right people and resources to make things happen. Whether it’s venture capital hurdles, customer adoption headaches, or the hidden advantages of Houston’s energy infrastructure, they lay it all out, no sugarcoating, just real talk on what it takes to win in the energy startup game.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 - Intro01:19 - Energy Tech Startups, Innovation03:42 - Energy Industry’s Adoption of New Technology06:45 - Innovation vs Invention in Energy10:35 - Finding Your Initial Customer in Tech12:41 - Overview of Energy Tech Nexus15:00 - Revenue Model of Energy Tech Nexus17:25 - Real Life Example of Energy Tech Nexus22:30 - Houston’s Seed Ecosystem for Startups26:20 - Funding Real Assets vs Intellectual Property28:50 - Resources for Securing Funding32:41 - Requirements for Series A Funding35:29 - Coastal Investment in Houston Companies37:38 - Insights on C3.ai39:43 - Advice for CEOs in Energy Tech41:54 - Impact of Colin’s A Round Funding45:50 - Managing Culture During Growth51:35 - Potential for a16z or Sequoia in Houston54:00 - Rice University’s Entrepreneurial Spirit1:00:33 - Colin Finally Gets a Job in Tech1:02:55 - How to Connect with Energy Tech Nexus1:04:09 - Chuck Yates Arm Wrestle Fund1:06:20 - Herb Keller's Arm Wrestling Storyhttps://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
