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3 energy tech startups with fresh funding, Houston events to attend, and more things to know this week

Natalie Harms
Jan 8, 2024

Houston energy events to put on your radar — plus more things to know this week. Photo via Getty Images

Editor's note: It's a new week — start it strong with three quick things to catch up on in Houston's energy transition: a roundup of events not to miss, a guest column to read, and more.

3 Houston energy startups raised funding last quarter

After each quarter, EnergyCapital's sister site InnovationMap rounds up the startups that raised funding. In Q4 of 2023, three of the nine startups to close rounds were from the energy industry.

  • Amperon Holdings Inc. closed its $20 million series B in October
  • Velostics raised nearly $2M additional seed funding in October
  • Digital Wildcatters announced $2.5M seed in December

Events not to miss

Put these Houston-area energy-related events on your calendar.

  • Energy Underground's January meeting is on January 18 at noon at the Esperson Building. Register.
  • The Houston Oil and Gas Executive Leadership Summit is an meeting of executives, policymakers, academics, and other professionals with a particular interest related to energy. The event is January 25 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Houston. Register.
  • Future of Energy Summit is Tuesday, February 6, at AC Hotel by Marriott Houston Downtown. Register.

Column: Texas expert weighs in on COP28's disappointment

Before it even started, COP28 drew sharp condemnation from activists and left-leaning politicians who took issue with the climate conference location: the United Arab Emirates, a leading oil and gas-producing nation.

“Time to say ‘the F-words’?” CNBC asked in one headline, referring of course to “fossil fuel.” A group of US and EU lawmakers called for the removal of COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber, head of the UAE’s national oil company Adnoc. And former Vice President Al Gore slammed the host nation and the summit itself, saying it was “abusing the public’s trust” because al-Jaber couldn’t be an honest broker of a climate deal.

I get it. The optics were certain to raise eyebrows and provide low-hanging fruit for critics. But the extent to which the conference became a global flash point was surprising even to the most cynical of onlookers. Finger-pointing took center stage, relegating rational discussion to the shadows. Misinformation and distrust flourished as a tired old energy transition narrative took hold — one that pits villain oil and gas against hero Renewables in an epic fight to save the planet. Click here to continue reading this guest column.