Energytech Startups

Writing the check is the easy part. The marriage that comes after is what nobody warns founders about until they are five years deep. Mitra Miller, President and Board Member of the Houston Angel Network, gets into what actually makes a startup investable, why she hunts for red flags fast, and how being a founder herself rewired the way she writes checks. Plus where Texas capital needs to go next, why AI is quietly soaking up all the oxygen, and how 25 years reshaped the Houston ecosystem.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. 0:00:00 Intro0:00:28 Inside the Houston Angel Network at 250:02:12 From the dotcom boom to angel investing0:05:44 Why being a founder makes a better investor0:09:43 How new angels learn the game0:13:38 Pitching HARN and what makes a company investable0:18:18 Why investing is a marriage, not a check0:27:25 Reading founders and spotting red flags0:36:48 What has changed in 25 years0:42:01 When venture money is not the answer0:46:29 Houston, Texas, and the energy transition0:51:25 All of the above: data centers, the grid, and fusion0:58:02 Public vs private capital in Texas1:02:44 The capital outlook and AI's pull on funding1:09:16 Secondary markets and finding liquidityhttps://twitter.com/collide_aihttps://www.tiktok.com/@collide.iohttps://www.facebook.com/collide.iohttps://www.instagram.com/collide.iohttps://www.youtube.com/@collide_iohttps://bsky.app/profile/collide-ai.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/collideai

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).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 Nexus00:16 - Intro to Ian Uriarte05:40 - Lifecycle of an Oil Well12:19 - TimberGrove vs Spindletop17:29 - Spindletop's Innovations19:14 - Spindletop Network Functionality25:42 - Spindletop's Current Journey34:00 - Insights from the Pilot Program34:42 - Achieving 17% Improvement40:18 - Fundraising Journey Overview47:15 - Motivations Behind Spindletop50:48 - Current Opportunities for Spindletop51:39 - Audience Support for Spindletop53:34 - Learning More About Spindletophttps://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

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.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 - Bryton Praslicka Intro01:14 - Causes of Wear and Tear in Systems06:06 - Invention of FluxWorks Technology09:17 - How FluxWorks' Magnetic Gear Operates12:14 - Understanding Slippage in Technology14:15 - Finding Value in Society through Innovation18:17 - Deciding to Start a Company21:39 - Tailoring Pitches for Different Audiences23:23 - The Importance of Storytelling in Business24:26 - Snobby Founder Moment Explained26:25 - Insights from EnergyTechNexus26:40 - Hiring Strategies for Startups27:00 - Managing Older Employees Effectively28:10 - Defining Mission, Vision, and Core Values31:40 - Deciding on Core Values for Your Company33:24 - Overcoming Significant Challenges in Business37:35 - Navigating the Fundraising Journey40:45 - Learning Fundraising Terminology42:30 - Fundraising Beyond Texas45:33 - Misunderstandings in Hard Tech Companies49:24 - Legacy: What Do You Want to Be Remembered For?51:20 - Contacting Jason for Insights52:40 - Podcast Wrap-Uphttps://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

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.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 Nexus00:15 - Intro01:29 - What is Loop Bioproducts06:12 - Skills from Previous Experiences09:34 - Value of Diverse Experience12:57 - Importance of Cactus in Sustainability17:34 - Cactus Photosynthesis Process20:40 - Mechanical Harvesting Techniques21:36 - Loop Bioproducts Business Model23:26 - Sourcing Cactus for Production26:40 - Acquiring Land for Agriculture31:41 - Regenerative Agriculture Practices36:26 - Importance of Timing in Agriculture39:34 - Current Consumer Trends43:40 - Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainability49:00 - Understanding Biopiracy Issues50:00 - Reasons for Avoiding Venture Capital55:10 - Statistical Behavior in Business57:55 - Expertise in Emerging Industries01:03:05 - Contacting Loop Bioproducts and The Loop Institutehttps://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

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.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 - Intro05:04 - Monetizing Energy Projects09:56 - Need for Project Developers11:36 - Origin of the Rice Alliance15:29 - Integrated Project Delivery & Finance20:19 - Local Capacity Building Importance23:20 - EnergyTech Nexus Overview26:13 - Current Projects in Development34:10 - Understanding Blended Finance38:40 - US Infrastructure & Energy Equity41:55 - Future Vision for Energy Sectorhttps://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

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.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 - EnergyGigs05:47 - EnergyGigs vs Upwork and Fiverr08:20 - Hiring Tips: Testing Candidates09:58 - COVID's Impact on Work Culture11:26 - Finding the Right Job Candidate19:55 - EnergyGigs Monetization Strategies21:41 - Future Plans for EnergyGigs23:20 - Investor Sentiment in Energy Sector24:53 - Leading the Decarbonization Charge25:54 - Capital Deployment by Investors28:04 - Fundraising Insights in Houston31:11 - Bootstrapping Challenges32:53 - The Mom Test Explained35:55 - Achieving Product Market Fit38:20 - Pivotal Moments in Business39:34 - New Administration's Impact on Energy41:36 - Positioning for the Next Four Years44:43 - Importance of Mentorship48:58 - Future Developments for EnergyGigs51:00 - Contact Informationhttps://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

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.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 - EnergyTechNexus Ad00:17 - Introducing Plankton Data02:41 - How Plankton Data’s Product Works07:13 - Sustainability Labels and Compliance Regulations11:02 - Building a Data Model for Sustainability12:28 - Blockchain Technology in Energy18:48 - Career Background Before Plankton Data20:16 - Insights from Sandeep Roy23:05 - AI's Role in IGen28:35 - Transitioning to Start IGen31:00 - Board Membership in Startups35:35 - Identifying Your Customer Base39:40 - Current Stage of Your Journey41:17 - Fundraising Strategies46:33 - Investor Perspectives on Climate Tech49:20 - AI as Infrastructure in Energy50:39 - Vision and Future of Plankton Data52:59 - 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