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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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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