More than 50 energy tech companies presented to the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship’s extensive network of investors and partners during CERAWeek March 25. The fast-paced global competition featured three industry tracks, ranging from advanced materials to decarbonization.
Judges recognized nine companies as “Most Promising” from the industry track, citing their excellence in technological innovation, investability and potential to have a significant impact on the energy industry. Three student energy innovation companies were named winners of the Texas Exchange for Energy and Climate Entrepreneurship (TEX-E) Prize and received a total prize pool of $50,000.
The Rice Alliance, the Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI) and TEX-E partner each year for the annual Energy Venture Day and Pitch Competition during CERAWeek, which features two days of presentations by energy tech ventures driving efficiency and advancements toward the energy transition. A total of 57 companies pitched to a sellout audience March 24 at the pitch preview in the Ion District, Houston’s Innovation district powered by Rice University. Following pitches, the Rice Alliance organized one-on-one office hours between nearly 50 investors and the participating ventures. Participating ventures represent six countries and 12 states and have collectively raised over $707 million in funding.
The program concluded with the awards ceremony and a keynote fireside chat featuring Melanie Nakagawa, chief sustainability officer at Microsoft, and Brad Burke, executive director of the Rice Alliance.
MOST PROMISING
Track A | Industrial Efficiency & Decarbonization
- 3rd - Agellus Tank Robotics
- 2nd - Anax Power
- 1st - Armeta
Track B | Advanced Manufacturing, Materials, & Other Advanced Technologies
- 3rd - Oleo
- 2nd - ZettaJoule
- 1st - Licube
Track C | Innovations for Traditional Energy, Electricity, & the Grid
- 3rd - Capwell Services
- 2nd - ATS Energy
- 1st - Poly Joule
TEX-E Winners
- Quantum Power Systems
- Resonant Thermal Systems
- Quas (Cocarbon)
Startup World Cup
- Poly Joule
A winner of the competition will be invited to compete in the Startup World Cup. Powered by Pegasus Tech Ventures, Startup World Cup hosts over 100 regional events across more than 60 countries and culminates in the Startup World Cup Grand Finale, where winning startups from each regional event will compete for a $1 million investment prize.
View all the competing ventures and learn more about the Rice Alliance here.