Zenthos Energy is tackling two big challenges at once: energy storage and carbon capture. Their aluminum batteries aren’t just safer and cheaper than the usual lithium or cobalt options, they also last longer and actually create value by capturing CO2 and producing graphite along the way. Born in Albuquerque and now teaming up with Sandia National Labs and New Mexico State, the team is scaling solutions big enough for utilities, data centers, and microgrids, while also finding uses in military and remote applications. It’s a story of tech, partnerships, and ambition, with a clear mission to push gigawatt-scale solutions into the mainstream of sustainable energy.

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00:00 - EnergyTech Nexus
00:16 - Introducing Dev Motiram
00:52 - Interview with Tom Chappell, CEO of Zenthos Energy
09:45 - Tom's Journey into the Energy Industry
11:36 - CO2 Capture Potential
12:18 - Revenue Streams in Energy Tech
13:56 - Energy Initiatives in Albuquerque
15:38 - Non-Dilutive Funding Strategies
17:30 - Fundraising Journey in Energy Startups
21:06 - Addressing the Missing Middle
24:01 - EnergyTech Nexus
24:15 - Strategic Partnerships for Growth
25:45 - Assessing Risk in Energy Ventures
27:46 - Innovations in Aluminum Ion Batteries
28:44 - Scaling Energy Solutions
29:45 - Criteria for Investability
31:05 - Current Goals in Energy Development
32:10 - Insights from Houston's Energy Scene
33:05 - Key Takeaways from the Week
36:20 - Investor Discussions and Focus Areas
37:40 - Manufacturing Considerations in Energy Tech
40:50 - Defining Product Market Fit
41:35 - How to Support Zenthos Energy
43:28 - Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

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Houston’s got big plans for the energy transition, and Sandy Guitar is right in the middle of it. As Executive Director of TEX-E, she’s helping connect Texas universities (and even MIT) with industry to make sure the next wave of talent has the tools, and the confidence, to take on climate and energy challenges. We swapped stories about how Houston’s legacy as the energy capital is shaping its role as the energy transition capital, the value of disciplined entrepreneurship, and why collaboration across students, startups, and industry leaders is the secret sauce. If you’re curious about how the next generation of innovators is being built right here in Texas, Sandy’s perspective is a masterclass in turning vision into action.

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00:00 - Intro
00:58 - What is TEXI
08:12 - Favorite Book Recommendations
16:16 - Disciplined Entrepreneurship Insights
18:20 - Career Journey to Venture Capital
20:14 - Entering Venture Capital
24:30 - Skills for Success in VC
28:15 - Pivotal Career Moments
33:20 - EnergyTech Nexus Growth Platform
37:57 - Luck vs Skill in Venture Capital
41:10 - Evolving Team Dynamics
46:10 - Economic Downturn Impact on Tech
49:18 - Understanding Capital Flows
53:24 - How Listeners Can Help
57:20 - Conclusion

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Resollant is shaking up hydrogen production with a twist that sounds almost too good to be true, turning natural gas into hydrogen and graphite, without the need for air permits or government handouts. Emily Avagliano, the founder behind the idea, walks us through how her turquoise hydrogen reactors not only cut costs but also capture carbon as a solid product you can actually sell. That means less CO2 floating around and more opportunities for industries to profit while cleaning things up. Jason and Nada dig into what this could mean for oil, gas, and other sectors trying to figure out decarbonization without slowing down their business. It’s a look at how one startup might just rewrite the playbook for clean energy.

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00:00 - Ad: Energy Tech Nexus - Connect with fellow founders and access critical resources
00:16 - Emily Avagliano, CEO of Resolent
00:45 - Overview of Resolent
05:01 - Understanding Entrained Flow Reactors
08:52 - Introduction to Turquoise Hydrogen
11:27 - Ideal Clients for the Resilient Reactor
14:53 - Development of the Resilient Reactor
19:15 - Involvement with Resilient Energy Systems
22:28 - Starting a Company in Energy Tech
24:10 - Corporate Partnerships and Expectations
28:58 - Joining Accelerators: Key Learnings
31:00 - Insights on EnergyTech Nexus
35:54 - Overview of Rice Clean Energy Accelerator
38:20 - Embracing the CEO Role in Startups
39:50 - Qualities of an Effective CEO
42:49 - Importance of Sales Skills
45:00 - Emotional Management for CEOs
48:51 - Learning from Customer Feedback
49:05 - Future Outlook for Energy Tech
52:26 - Emily's Vision for the Next 10 Years
54:03 - Contact Information for Emily
55:13 - Acknowledgments and Thank You's

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Turning CO₂ into carbon fiber sounds like science fiction, but Aaron Fitzgerald and the crew at Mars Materials are making it happen. Their process creates carbon-negative acrylonitrile, the stuff that goes into everything from sleek carbon fiber to water filters and high-tech textiles and they’re doing it with big-name partners like NREL and Shell. Aaron talks about reshoring carbon fiber production to the U.S., cutting carbon from supply chains, and what it takes to build a climate-driven company from the ground up. It’s a mix of chemistry, entrepreneurship, and a clear vision for a more sustainable future.

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00:00 - Energy Tech Nexus
00:17 - Intro to Mars Materials
03:48 - Aaron’s Background in Energy
08:11 - Overview of Kairos Aerospace
10:46 - Understanding Acrylonitrile
14:33 - Acrylonitrile Production Process
17:29 - The Sohio Process Explained
22:04 - National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
24:40 - Tech Transfer from National Labs
27:39 - Finding the Right Technology
29:26 - Carbon180 Overview
30:35 - Collaborating with Lawrence Livermore Lab
32:19 - EnergyTechNexus Insights
33:56 - LabStart Initiatives
35:37 - Request for Information (RFI) Explained
38:36 - Building a Business Deliberately
41:15 - Mars Materials Today and Future
48:30 - Fundraising Strategies
52:40 - What's Next for Mars Materials
54:45 - Erin's Shell Partnership Journey
57:16 - Shell's Support for Erin
1:00:11 - Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts
1:03:44 - How to Help Mars Materials
1:06:20 - Outro

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Innovation doesn’t have to be slow or siloed and Xerathis is out to prove it. Rekha Patel walks us through how her platform is breaking down barriers between teams, helping everyone from scrappy startups to NASA-level giants turn their ideas into real, working solutions. It’s part hackathon engine, part crowdsourcing hub, and all about making collaboration easy, fast, and actually fun. If you’re building, leading, or dreaming something big, this one’s for you.

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00:00 - Intro
00:25 - Rekha Patel, Founder & CEO of Xerathis
03:42 - Rekha’s Career Journey: Geologist to Tech Entrepreneur
11:28 - CEO Role Decision: Insights and Reflections
19:20 - Understanding the Ideal Customer Profile
23:23 - User Interaction on the Platform: A Deep Dive
26:24 - Finding Advisors: Strategies for Success
29:01 - Energy Tech Nexus
35:05 - Meeting Pradeep: Networking in Tech
37:05 - Pricing Strategy for Tech Products
40:10 - Advice to My Past Self: Lessons Learned
46:54 - Guidance for Mid-Career Professionals
51:48 - Co-Founder Search: Tips and Tricks
56:19 - Future of Xerathis: Vision and Goals
1:00:24 - The Meaning Behind the Name Xerathis
1:03:10 - How to Find Rekha: Contact Information
1:03:19 - Connect with Rekha on LinkedIn: Networking Tips

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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).

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00:00 - Energy Tech Nexus
00:16 - Intro to Ian Uriarte
05:40 - Lifecycle of an Oil Well
12:19 - TimberGrove vs Spindletop
17:29 - Spindletop's Innovations
19:14 - Spindletop Network Functionality
25:42 - Spindletop's Current Journey
34:00 - Insights from the Pilot Program
34:42 - Achieving 17% Improvement
40:18 - Fundraising Journey Overview
47:15 - Motivations Behind Spindletop
50:48 - Current Opportunities for Spindletop
51:39 - Audience Support for Spindletop
53:34 - Learning More About Spindletop

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Corrosion isn’t just rusty metal, it's a billion-dollar buzzkill that sneaks into everything from oil rigs to your local water plant. Luckily, we've got someone who’s flipping the script on this hidden villain using some seriously clever tech. He's developed tools that sniff out microbial corrosion right at the source, helping companies slash costs, stay safe, and shrink their carbon footprint. We chat about how sneaky microbes cause chaos in pipelines, biodiesel tanks, and even HVAC systems—and why those old-school detection methods just don't cut it anymore. Plus, hear his story from PhD researcher to startup founder, building a mission-driven company that's shaking up industries for the better.

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00:00 - Energy Tech Startups Overview
00:24 - What Does CORROLYTICS Do?
05:05 - Types of Corrosion Explained
08:17 - Corrosion Mitigation Strategies
14:05 - Early Traction & Customer Use Cases
18:15 - Journey into Entrepreneurship
23:35 - Academia to Entrepreneurship Transition
26:38 - Leading the Decarbonization Charge
28:49 - Moments of CEO Leadership
37:37 - Advice for Your Younger Self
38:00 - Building Relationships with Stakeholders
39:30 - Raising Your First Million
41:16 - Anwar’s Fundraising Journey
45:18 - External Factors in Fundraising
48:20 - Fundraising in the Energy Sector
50:40 - Impact Metrics & Carbon Abatement
52:30 - Contacting Anwar 

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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.

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00:00 - Bryton Praslicka Intro
01:14 - Causes of Wear and Tear in Systems
06:06 - Invention of FluxWorks Technology
09:17 - How FluxWorks' Magnetic Gear Operates
12:14 - Understanding Slippage in Technology
14:15 - Finding Value in Society through Innovation
18:17 - Deciding to Start a Company
21:39 - Tailoring Pitches for Different Audiences
23:23 - The Importance of Storytelling in Business
24:26 - Snobby Founder Moment Explained
26:25 - Insights from EnergyTechNexus
26:40 - Hiring Strategies for Startups
27:00 - Managing Older Employees Effectively
28:10 - Defining Mission, Vision, and Core Values
31:40 - Deciding on Core Values for Your Company
33:24 - Overcoming Significant Challenges in Business
37:35 - Navigating the Fundraising Journey
40:45 - Learning Fundraising Terminology
42:30 - Fundraising Beyond Texas
45:33 - Misunderstandings in Hard Tech Companies
49:24 - Legacy: What Do You Want to Be Remembered For?
51:20 - Contacting Jason for Insights
52:40 - Podcast Wrap-Up

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Batteries might not seem sexy, but they're literally powering the future and turns out, we've all been sleeping on electrolytes. We sat down with someone who's shaking things up by rethinking battery design from the inside out, focusing on the underrated electrolyte layer to boost performance, cut costs, and make charging quicker (and safer!). We talk about what it takes to scale a hard tech startup, snag superstar talent, and keep investors happy when funding's tough. Plus, why the battery tech coming your way, think EVs, huge storage solutions, even robots—is cooler (and closer) than you think.

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00:00 - Energy Tech Nexus
00:16 - What is an electrolyte
04:19 - History of Batteries
07:01 - Matt's Career Path
09:49 - Importance of Trust in Business
14:02 - Technology Deployment Strategies
17:42 - Electrolyte Sales Process
19:59 - Customer Feedback Insights
22:14 - End Users Driving Innovation
26:05 - Why Now: Market Timing
28:21 - Protecting Your Business
31:25 - ETN: Sign Up for Updates
31:38 - Electrolyte Delivery Methods
34:29 - Battery Disposal Practices
39:24 - End Market Strategy
42:11 - Challenges in Startup Phase
43:10 - Starting a Company Today
44:34 - Talent Acquisition Strategies
49:26 - Self-Selecting Talent
51:42 - Fundraising for Startups
54:28 - Investor Outreach Strategies
56:18 - Setting Bold Goals
59:20 - Impact of Politics on Business
1:02:12 - Future Vision: 5-Year Plan
1:05:37 - How to Connect with Matt

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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.

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00:00 - Energy Tech Nexus
00:15 - Intro
01:29 - What is Loop Bioproducts
06:12 - Skills from Previous Experiences
09:34 - Value of Diverse Experience
12:57 - Importance of Cactus in Sustainability
17:34 - Cactus Photosynthesis Process
20:40 - Mechanical Harvesting Techniques
21:36 - Loop Bioproducts Business Model
23:26 - Sourcing Cactus for Production
26:40 - Acquiring Land for Agriculture
31:41 - Regenerative Agriculture Practices
36:26 - Importance of Timing in Agriculture
39:34 - Current Consumer Trends
43:40 - Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainability
49:00 - Understanding Biopiracy Issues
50:00 - Reasons for Avoiding Venture Capital
55:10 - Statistical Behavior in Business
57:55 - Expertise in Emerging Industries
01:03:05 - Contacting Loop Bioproducts and The Loop Institute

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