Greentown Houston Agenda + Venue Information

On Nov. 1, we’re inviting you, your colleagues, and all the climate champions in your life into our incubator for a day of hands-on exploration with our world-changing startups and their climatetech solutions; keynotes and sessions featuring leaders across climatetech, finance, policy, and justice; and networking with key climate action pioneers.

Greentown Houston Agenda

All times are CT.

8:00 – CHECK-IN + BREAKFAST

9:30 – WELCOME + THE ENERGY TRANSITION IN HOUSTON

Featuring The Ion Senior Director of Ecosystems Joey Sanchez.

Greentown Labs CEO Kevin Knobloch will share reflections on how collaboration will drive the energy transition, our startups’ groundbreaking technologies, and the incubator’s next stage of impact.

9:45 – STATE OF THE FIELD 2023: HOUSTON’S CLIMATE TECH ECOSYSTEM

Featuring Cascade Climate Senior Fellow Taylor Chapman, Fervo Energy Chief of Staff Gabriel Malek, and Independent Climatetech Consultant, & Creator of EtechMonkey & ETM Advisors Deanna Zhang.

This report by the Texas Climate Tech Collective presents the first ever analysis + survey of Houston’s startup ecosystem in climate / energy transition tech. It features a novel data set from over 200 founders, investors, and other ecosystem players, supplemented by over 20 qualitative interviews with leaders in the ecosystem.

10:00 – KEYNOTE FIRESIDE CHAT

Featuring HARC President & Chief Executive Officer John L. Hall; moderated by Intention Founder & Chief Executive Officer Nisha Desai.

10:30 – GREENTOWN LABS STARTUP PITCHES

Featuring Mars Materials, Micronic Technologies, EarthEn, Varea Energy, CLS Wind, and Helix Earth Technologies.

10:50 – FUNDING THE FUTURE OF CLIMATETECH: VC INSIGHTS AND ALTERNATIVES

Featuring Chevron Future Energy Fund General Manager Luis Alcoser, Energy Capital Ventures Senior Associate Julie Greco, Hertha Metals Founder & Chief Executive Officer Laureen Meroueh, PhD, and Freestone Managing Director Ellen Wilkirson; moderated by Greentown Labs Chief Development and Investment Officer Juliana Garaizar.

Understanding the benefits of having a diverse funding portfolio can provide both stability and  growth to startups looking to scale. For this session, we’re bringing together both the finance and startup perspective to shed light on the various funding avenues available to entrepreneurs, including VC, project finance, and government grants. Panelists will share their unique perspectives on the ideal timing for each type of financing and offer valuable tips to help founders secure the funding they need to scale their climate solutions.

11:35 – GREENTOWN LABS STARTUP PITCHES

Featuring 21Senses Inc.,Dsider, Capwell Services, Alma Energy, SUPERGirls SHINE Foundation, and SkyH2O.

11:50 – FOLLOW THE MONEY: ONE YEAR INTO THE IRA

Featuring Syzygy Plasmonics Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer Trevor Best, Rewiring America Director of Private Sector Outreach and Engagement Ian Magruder, Streamline Climate Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer Helena Merk, and Greater Houston Partnership Senior Vice President, Energy Transition and HETI Executive Director Jane Stricker.

As we pass the one-year mark since the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act, this panel will reflect on the progress made and available opportunities for climatetech startups, including Houston’s leveraging of the IRA to bid for direct air capture and hydrogen hub funding. The discussion will delve into the various aspects of the IRA, its impact on the climatetech ecosystem, and shed light on the future prospects for startups operating in this space.

12:35 – GREENTOWN LABS STARTUP PITCHES

Featuring Corrolytics, Criterion Energy Partners, Regenerative Resources Global, Intention, Imperium Technologies Inc., and Bodhi.

12:50 – CLOSING REMARKS

Featuring Greentown Labs Houston General Manager and Senior Vice President Timmeko Moore Love.

1:00 – LUNCH

2:00 – 4:00 – GREENTOWN LABS MEMBER SHOWCASE

The Greentown Labs Climatetech Startup Showcase is your chance to meet the entrepreneurs who are changing the world. Join us to speak with Greentown founders, learn about their climate solutions, and make valuable connections. The showcase will highlight climatetech companies innovating across the key GHG-emitting sectors—electricity, agriculture, buildings, manufacturing, and transportation—and in resiliency and adaptation.

4:00 – 7:00 – NETWORKING RECEPTION