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.Digital Wildcatters brings the energy community together through events, cutting-edge content, and powerful tools. Join our online community at collide.io. Engage with experts, level up your career, and ask Collide AI your toughest technical questions.Click here to watch a video of this episode.
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://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.linkedin.com/company/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcattershttps://www.youtube.com/@digitalwildcatters
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47:17
Refuel Electric Vehicle Solutions on Energy Tech Startups
Apartments and EV chargers, why is it such a headache? That’s exactly what we’re tackling with David Aaronson, the real estate pro behind Refuel Electric Vehicle Solutions. With EV adoption skyrocketing, renters are demanding charging options, but property owners are stuck figuring out how to make it work. David’s company is cutting through the red tape, bringing EV charging to 83 cities and counting, while making it painless (and profitable) for landlords. We’re talking infrastructure hurdles, ESG priorities, and how EV charging is shaping the future of multifamily living, because let’s be real, the days of hunting for an open charging spot are numbered.Digital Wildcatters brings the energy community together through events, cutting-edge content, and powerful tools. Join our online community at collide.io. Engage with experts, level up your career, and ask Collide AI your toughest technical questions.Click here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.
00:00 - EnergyTech Nexus00:16 - Refuel EV Solutions04:31 - EVs in Norway05:54 - EVs in Houston10:22 - Refuel’s Business Model16:23 - Sizing an Installation20:45 - Solar and Battery Integration22:15 - Managing EV Charging Duration26:59 - Geographic Differences in EV Charging28:50 - Innovation vs. Invention in EVs35:37 - David Aaronson's Background40:14 - Starting Revs: Journey and Insights49:25 - Impact of EV Tax Credit on Business55:14 - Government Incentives for EV Charging57:40 - Role of Utility Companies in EV Charging59:58 - Aligning Revs' Interests with Customers1:00:30 - How to Find ReFuel Energy Solutionshttps://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.linkedin.com/company/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcattershttps://www.youtube.com/@digitalwildcatters
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1:02:41
From Uber to Founder, EnergyGigs on Energy Tech Startups
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.Digital Wildcatters brings the energy community together through events, cutting-edge content, and powerful tools. Join our online community at collide.io. Engage with experts, level up your career, and ask Collide AI your toughest technical questions.Click here to watch a video of this episode.
Click 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://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.linkedin.com/company/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcattershttps://www.youtube.com/@digitalwildcatters
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53:00
Carbon Optimum Corporation on Energy Tech Startups
Tackling the 40-gigaton CO2 problem isn’t for the faint of heart, but Yao Huang is all in, turning climate challenges into financial opportunities with some seriously cool tech. After two decades in the tech world, a pandemic epiphany sent her full speed into climate investing, and now she’s using algae photobioreactors (yes, algae!) to capture carbon at scale while creating useful byproducts like oils and fertilizers. She breaks down why traditional VC thinking doesn’t cut it in climate tech, how industries like coal and cement can actually profit from going green, and why collaboration—not competition, is the key to making real change happen. If you think climate solutions are all about sacrifice, Yao’s going to make you rethink everything.Digital Wildcatters brings the energy community together through events, cutting-edge content, and powerful tools. Join our online community at collide.io. Engage with experts, level up your career, and ask Collide AI your toughest technical questions.Click here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.
00:00 - Intro00:49 - Climate Investing Journey08:27 - Venture Capital in Climate Tech13:57 - Role of Finance in Startups18:00 - Energy Transition vs Climate Problem24:22 - Carbon Clean Technology32:46 - Carbon Optima Business Model34:37 - Unique Aspects of Current Climate Tech37:30 - Factors Behind Carbon Optima's Success40:04 - Activating Support for Climate Initiatives45:15 - Houston's Climate Tech Ecosystem Gaps49:35 - Houston Startup Scene51:03 - Wonder Women Networking Dinners54:27 - Closing Remarkshttps://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.linkedin.com/company/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcattershttps://www.youtube.com/@digitalwildcatters
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56:05
Planckton Data on Energy Tech Startups
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.Digital Wildcatters brings the energy community together through events, cutting-edge content, and powerful tools. Join our online community at collide.io. Engage with experts, level up your career, and ask Collide AI your toughest technical questions.Click here to watch a video of this episode.
Click 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://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcatters
They say everything's bigger in Texas, including climate change. That's why Houston is leading the energy transition. Here in H-Town, the fourth largest city in the United States, entrepreneurs from across Texas and around the world are gathering to work with titans of industry to build the technology that will reduce emissions and power a low carbon future.
We sit down with those change makers and wildcatters who are solving the toughest energy challenges with trillions of dollars on the line. We dig into how Houston will bring technology to market on a massive scale. Join us as we talk with the leaders of the energy capital of the world as they show us how the energy transition gets done.
Hosts: Nada Ahmed and Jason Ethier
Canada - english