Energy Tech Startups

Ever thought about how to make EV charging smarter and greener? Wind Everest is turning wind energy into a game-changer for electric vehicles, and Robert Rolnik is at the helm of it all. Picture an app that works like a weather report for wind power—letting you know the best times to charge to slash carbon emissions by up to 90%. Texas might be just warming up to EVs, but with 7-8% of new car sales already electric, the potential is massive. Robert’s path from telecom engineer to cleantech innovator is packed with insights, from tackling the quirks of Texas’ deregulated electricity market to figuring out how EVs can help stabilize the grid. Wind Everest isn’t stopping at personal cars either—think fleets, delivery services, and even military vehicles. It’s innovation with a side of saving the planet.

Digital Wildcatters brings the energy community together through events, cutting-edge content, and powerful tools. Join our online community at collide.io. Engage with experts, level up your career, and ask Collide AI your toughest technical questions.

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Imagine slashing admin time by 80% while tackling the energy transition—sounds like a dream, right? That’s the reality with NetBenefits Software, where AI is shaking up how energy companies manage stakeholder relationships and regulatory hoops. From keeping projects on track to navigating the tricky waters of social license to operate, Matt Adams and his team are leading the charge with a fresh, contrarian approach to energy tech. We’re talking smarter data management, smoother compliance, and a vision for AI that’s all about making energy work better for everyone.

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William shares his journey from the oil and gas industry to developing cutting-edge underground energy storage solutions. He explains how salt dome caverns can be used for long-duration energy storage, helping to support renewable energy growth.

Throughout the episode, William discusses the challenges and opportunities in the current energy market, from regulatory hurdles to technological advancements. His story showcases the shift from traditional oil projects to sustainable, innovative solutions in energy storage.

00:00 - Energy Tech Nexus
00:16 - Intro William Taggart IV
00:59 - Cavern Energy Storage
04:32 - Research Focus Areas
06:26 - Cavern Energy Storage Patent
07:57 - Importance of 400 Meters
12:26 - Salt Domes for Storage
17:34 - Advanced Drilling Technology
18:41 - Technology Risks and Challenges
19:46 - Market Challenges in Energy Storage
22:49 - Understanding the Energy Trilemma
24:55 - Long-Duration Energy Storage Defined
27:18 - Volatility and Consumer Impact
29:50 - Energy Tech Nexus: Growth Platform
30:02 - Fundraising Journey Insights
32:54 - Grant Funding Process Explained
34:05 - Exposing Technology to DOE
36:35 - Entrepreneurial Journey of William Taggart
38:58 - Fixing America's Energy Issues
44:18 - Race to the Bottom in Energy
45:16 - Addressing Climate Change
50:30 - Innovation Ecosystem in Houston
54:33 - Discovering Hidden Gems
55:14 - Supporting Cavern Energy
56:49 - Finding Dr. Webber Online

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Digital Wildcatters brings the energy community together through events, cutting-edge content, and powerful tools. Join our online community at collide.io. Engage with experts, level up your career, and ask Collide AI your toughest technical questions.

Benjamin discusses the exciting opportunities and unique challenges in building and supporting energy tech startups across Latin America and the Caribbean. He shares how Reciprocal’s mission focuses on fostering innovation through nature-based solutions, bridging the gap between the global North and Latin America.

Key topics include Reciprocal's venture studio model, the importance of nature-based solutions in climate strategy, funding strategies for early-stage startups in emerging markets, and the crucial role of indigenous communities and local governance in driving sustainable innovation. Discover how energy, climate, and ecological systems are deeply interconnected in the push for a greener future in the region.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/benzehr/
https://reciprocal.studio/

CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
00:30 - What is Reciprocal
06:22 - The Amazon Fellowship
13:59 - Nature-Based Solutions and Energy
15:45 - Focus on Nature-Based Solutions
18:01 - Monetizing Nature-Based Solutions
25:00 - Starting a Startup Studio
28:46 - Finding Founders in Tech
34:04 - Why Houston for Startups
36:04 - California: Climate Tech Hub
39:58 - Houston's Startup Landscape
45:14 - Gaps in Houston's Startup Ecosystem
48:20 - Ecosystems in Houston Region
50:25 - Houston Energy Tech Summit

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Digital Wildcatters brings the energy community together through events, cutting-edge content, and powerful tools. Join our online community at collide.io. Engage with experts, level up your career, and ask Collide AI your toughest technical questions.

Erik shares his journey from working at DNV to founding Endrava, where he’s developed cutting-edge solutions for industrial decarbonization.

With over a decade of experience in climate tech, Erik discusses his work on CapturMap, a platform that maps global CO2 emission sources and capture projects. His insights into energy and industrial markets, along with his passion for sustainability, showcase how digital tools are accelerating progress toward a cleaner future.

00:00 - Welcome back
1:27 - What is CaptureMap
4:11 - How did you commercialize CaptureMap
5:34 - Who are your ideal customers
6:56 - What kind of emissions are you displaying
7:39 - How do people interact with CaptureMap
9:05 - Your journey hasn’t been linear
13:57 - Why now
16:50 - Bootstrapping vs. VC funding
18:25 - What’s next for Captur
21:27 - Exit strategy
24:09 - Founder relationship
29:32 - What makes entrepreneurs special
31:20 - Importance of learning from mistakes
32:45 - Outsourcing vs doing everything yourself
35:09 - Selling software is hard
40:24 - Building a community around your company
43:15 - Houston
46:57 - Do you need feet on the ground
50:35 - Closing
55:35 - Personal climate impact story
59:30 - Climate change and mass migration
1:01:15 - How to support climate tech startups

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Digital Wildcatters brings the energy community together through events, cutting-edge content, and powerful tools. Join our online community at collide.io. Engage with experts, level up your career, and ask Collide AI your toughest technical questions.