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.io Click here to view the episode transcript. 00:00 - Intro 01:19 - Energy Tech Startups, Innovation 03:42 - Energy Industry’s Adoption of New Technology 06:45 - Innovation vs Invention in Energy 10:35 - Finding Your Initial Customer in Tech 12:41 - Overview of Energy Tech Nexus 15:00 - Revenue Model of Energy Tech Nexus 17:25 - Real Life Example of Energy Tech Nexus 22:30 - Houston’s Seed Ecosystem for Startups 26:20 - Funding Real Assets vs Intellectual Property 28:50 - Resources for Securing Funding 32:41 - Requirements for Series A Funding 35:29 - Coastal Investment in Houston Companies 37:38 - Insights on C3.ai 39:43 - Advice for CEOs in Energy Tech 41:54 - Impact of Colin’s A Round Funding 45:50 - Managing Culture During Growth 51:35 - Potential for a16z or Sequoia in Houston 54:00 - Rice University’s Entrepreneurial Spirit 1:00:33 - Colin Finally Gets a Job in Tech 1:02:55 - How to Connect with Energy Tech Nexus 1:04:09 - Chuck Yates Arm Wrestle Fund 1:06:20 - Herb Keller's Arm Wrestling Story https://twitter.com/collide_io https://www.tiktok.com/@collide.io https://www.facebook.com/collide.io https://www.instagram.com/collide.io https://www.youtube.com/@collide_io https://bsky.app/profile/digitalwildcatters.bsky.social https://www.linkedin.com/company/collide-digital-wildcatters
