Amperon, Hertha Metals and Vaulted Deep were named to this year's Global Cleantech 100 list. Photo via Getty Images
Three Houston-area companies—Amperon, Hertha Metals and Vaulted Deep—appear on this year’s Global Cleantech 100 list.
The unranked list, generated by market intelligence and advisory firm Cleantech Group, identifies the 100 privately held companies around the world that are most likely to make a significant impact in the cleantech market over the next five to 10 years.
For the 2026 list, Cleantech Group received more than 24,000 Global Cleantech 100 nominations from nearly 60 countries. Cleantech Group scored those companies and narrowed the contenders to 264. An expert panel reviewed those nominees, and the list was whittled down to the 100 winners.
Here’s a rundown of the three Houston-area honorees:
Amperon
Founded in 2018 by Sean Kelly and Abe Stanway, Houston-based Amperon offers an AI-enabled energy forecasting and analytics platform designed to help stabilize electric grids. Amperon received undisclosed amounts of venture capital from National Grid Partners and Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd. last year and announced a recent investment from Samsung Ventures earlier this month.
Hertha Metals
Founded in 2022 by Laureen Meroueh, Conroe-based Hertha Metals provides a single-step process for producing sustainable steel. Last year, the company emerged from stealth mode and raised more than $17 million in venture capital.
Vaulted Deep
Vaulted Deep’s technology injects excess organic waste underground to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Julia Reichelstein and Omar Abou-Sayed founded the Houston-based company in 2023. Last year, the startup raised $32.3 million in venture capital. Also in 2025, Vaulted Deep signed a 12-year deal with software giant Microsoft to remove up to 4.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from the environment.
Vaulted Deep also made the list last year, along with Houston-based Syzygy Plasmonics and Fervo Energy. Fervo was also named the 2025 North American Company of the Year by Cleantech Group.
Amperon, a Houston-based AI-powered forecasting solutions company, has received an investment for an undisclosed amount from Samsung Ventures, the corporate venture arm of Samsung Group.
According to Amperon, the funding will be put toward the company's global growth and next-generation product development. Samsung Ventures invests in emerging businesses developing technologies for the AI, advanced devices and energy-related sectors.
“Samsung Ventures’ investment is a strong validation of our mission to transform the way energy is forecasted and traded,” Sean Kelly, CEO and co-founder of Amperon, said in a news release. “Samsung’s global footprint and leadership in semiconductors, data infrastructure, and AI acceleration make them a natural fit as we expand Amperon’s reach into energy-intensive sectors like data centers. Their track record of scaling next-generation technologies aligns perfectly with our vision to build a more intelligent, resilient, and data-driven energy system.”
Amperon was founded in 2018. Its AI models combine real-time weather, consumption and market data for energy retailers, utilities and independent power producers.
Last year, the company launched its weather-informed grid demand Mid-Term Forecast (MTF), which provides users with data on electricity demand up to seven months in advance. It also secured strategic investments from Acario, the corporate venture capital and innovation division of Tokyo Gas, as well as National Grid Partners, the venture investment and innovation arm of National Grid (NYSE: NGG).
After expanding into Europe in 2024, the company has continued to see international growth, and currently operates in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia, Europe and the Middle East.
“Amperon has demonstrated strong technical capabilities and global traction in a rapidly evolving energy landscape,” a spokesperson for Samsung Ventures added in the release. “Their ability to forecast and model real-time energy data at global scale positions them as a key enabler of smarter energy systems and climate resilience. We are pleased to invest in a company developing technologies that support a more sustainable and digitized world.”
Amperon CEO Sean Kelly discuss the AI revolution in energy forecasting. Photo via LinkedIn
“Forecasting isn’t just about demand anymore—it’s about net demand, accounting for the variability of renewables like wind and solar.”
This insight from Sean Kelly, co-founder and CEO of Amperon, captures the seismic shift occurring in energy forecasting. With renewables surging, grid dynamics growing more complex, and demand more unpredictable than ever, the stakes have never been higher.
On a recent Energy Tech Startups Podcast, Kelly breaks down how Amperon’s AI-driven platform is transforming the way energy providers anticipate demand, mitigate risk, and embrace renewables. Named one of the Top 50 AI Companies in the U.S. by Andreessen Horowitz, Amperon is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in energy technology.
Here’s a closer look at Kelly’s journey, the challenges he’s tackling, and the insights driving Amperon’s success.
What problem is Amperon solving?
Why does the energy sector need better forecasting now?
The energy grid is evolving at lightning speed. With 25 gigawatts of wind and 20 gigawatts of solar in Texas alone, the focus has shifted from simple demand forecasting to net demand forecasting. It’s not just about predicting how much electricity people will use—it’s about understanding how renewables will interact with that demand.
For example, if it’s a windy day in Texas, prices drop, and the grid behaves very differently. Accurate forecasting helps providers mitigate risk, plan ahead, and prevent costly errors in buying or selling electricity.
The Amperon approach: Why AI is essential
What sets Amperon’s technology apart?
Our models retrain every hour—not every month or even daily. Since launching in 2018, we’ve been continuously learning and adapting to the grid’s behavior. This is critical because the energy sector’s complexity is increasing every day.
We also leverage data from over 10 million meters across the U.S. and Europe, giving us unmatched insights into both individual assets and entire markets. Our tech isn’t about static solutions; it’s dynamic, evolving alongside the grid.
Building for scale: A strategic playbook
How has Amperon scaled from a Houston startup to a global player?
It starts with focus. We began with a clear problem: helping Texas retailers manage risk in a deregulated market. From there, we expanded into other customer segments—traders, public utilities, independent power producers, and more.
Partnerships have been key, too. For example, Microsoft has been instrumental in connecting us with utilities through the Azure marketplace. These collaborations not only enhance credibility but also streamline access to new customers.
The Case for Better AI in Energy
Kelly believes the energy industry is overdue for a technological overhaul. While legacy companies rely on outdated models, Amperon is built on cloud-native AI systems that can handle today’s complexity.
“The challenge isn’t just predicting demand—it’s adapting to constant change,” Kelly says. “Legacy systems weren’t built for this level of complexity. AI that learns every hour is no longer optional—it’s essential.”
Lessons for Entrepreneurs
Stay Customer-Centric: Amperon’s early success came from solving a clear, urgent need for Texas energy retailers. “Product-market fit is everything,” Kelly emphasizes.
Invest in Talent: By hiring data scientists from top companies like Google and Meta, Amperon has built a team capable of tackling the hardest problems.
Leverage Partnerships: Collaborations with players like Microsoft have amplified Amperon’s reach and trust in the market.
What’s next for Amperon?
With over $30 million raised and a rapidly growing global presence, Amperon is doubling down on innovation. The company plans to expand its asset-level forecasting capabilities and deepen its presence in international markets.
“The energy transition is running through Houston,” Kelly says. “This city has the talent, the capital, and the expertise to lead the way.”
Listen to the full episode with Sean Kelly on the Energy Tech Startups Podcast
here.
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Energy Tech Startups Podcast is hosted by Jason Ethier and Nada Ahmed. It delves into Houston's pivotal role in the energy transition, spotlighting entrepreneurs and industry leaders shaping a low-carbon future.
Clockwise from top left: Sean Kelly of Amperon, Dianna Liu of ARIXTechnologies, Matthew Dawson of Elementium Materials, Vibhu Sharma of InnoVent Renewables, Cindy Taff of Sage Geosystems, and Emma Konet of TierraClimate. Photos courtesy
From finding funding to navigating the pace of traditional oil and gas company tech adoption, energy transition companies face their fair share of challenges.
This year's Houston Innovation Awards finalists in the Energy Transition category explained what their biggest challenge has been and how they've overcome it. See what they said below, and make sure to secure your tickets to the Nov. 14 event to see which of these finalists win the award.
"The evolving nature of the energy industry presents opportunities to solve some of our industry's greatest
challenges. At Amperon we help optimize grid reliability and stability with the power of AI demand
forecasting."
— Sean Kelly, CEO of Amperon, an AI platform powering the smart grid of the future
"The biggest challenge in leading an energy transition-focused startup has been balancing the urgency for
sustainable solutions with the slow pace of change in traditional industries like oil and gas. Many
companies are cautious about adopting new technologies, especially when it comes to integrating
sustainability initiatives. We overcame this by positioning our solutions not just as environmentally
friendly, but as tools that improve safety, efficiency, and cost savings. By aligning our value proposition
with their operational goals and demonstrating real, measurable benefits, we were able to gain traction
and drive adoption in industries that are traditionally resistant to change."
— Dianna Liu, CEO of ARIXTechnologies, an integrated robotics and data analytics company that delivers inspection services through its robotics platforms
"Scaling up production of hard tech is a major challenge. Thankfully, we recruited top-notch talent with
experience in technology scale-up and chemical processes. In addition, we've begun building partnerships
with some of the world's largest chemical manufacturers in our space who are excited to be a part of our
journey and could rapidly accelerate our go to market strategy. We have significant demand for our
product as early as 2025, so partnering with these companies to scale-up will bring our technology to
market years ahead of doing it alone."
— Matthew Dawson, CEO of Elementium Materials, a battery technology with liquid electrolyte solutions
"Our pyrolysis reactor is a proprietary design that was developed during Covid. We ran simulations to
prove that it works, but it was not easy to test it in a pilot facility, let alone scaling it up. We managed ... to run our pilot
plant studies, while working with them remotely. We proved that our reactor worked and produced high
quality products. Later, we built our own pilot plant R&D facility to continue running tests and optimizing
the process. Then, there was the challenge of scaling it up to commercial size. ... We put together a task force of four different companies to come together to design and build this complex reactor in record time."
— Vibhu Sharma, CEO of InnoVentRenewables, a startup with proprietary continuous pyrolysis technology that converts waste tires, plastics, and biomass into valuable fuels and chemicals
"Energy storage and geothermal power generation are capital-intensive infrastructure projects, requiring
investors with a deep commitment and the patience in terms of years to allow the technology to be
developed and proven in the field. One challenge is finding that niche of investors with the vision to join
our journey. We have succeeded in raising our $30 million series A with these types of investors, whom we’re
confident will continue the journey as we scale."
— Cindy Taff, CEO of SageGeosystems, an energy company focused on developing and deploying advanced geothermal technologies to provide reliable power and sustainable energy storage solutions regardless of geography
"The biggest challenge we've faced has been to bring together massive independent power producers on one side who are investing hundreds of millions of dollars into grid infrastructure with multi-
national tech giants on the other that don't have experience working much with energy storage. As a
startup with only four employees, gaining credibility with these players was critical. We overcame this
hurdle by becoming the preeminent thought leader on storage emissions, through publishing white papers,
discussing the issues on podcasts, and (more)."
— Emma Konet, CTO of TierraClimate, a software provider that helps grid-scale batteries reduce carbon emissions
Nearly 20 Houston startups and innovators were named finalists for the 2024 Houston Innovation Awards this week. Photo via Getty Images
The Houston Innovation Awards have named its honorees for its 2024 awards event, and several clean energy innovators have made the cut.
The finalists, which were named on EnergyCapital's sister site InnovationMap this week, were decided by this year's judges after they reviewed over 130 applications. More 50 finalists will be recognized in particular for their achievements across 13 categories, which includes the 2024 Trailblazer Legacy Awards that were announced earlier this month.
All of the honorees will be recognized at the event on November 14 and the winners will be named. Registration is open online.
Representing the energy industry, the startup finalists include:
Amperon, an AI platform powering the smart grid of the future, was named a finalist in the Energy Transition Business category.
ARIXTechnologies, an integrated robotics and data analytics company that delivers inspection services through its robotics platforms, was named a finalist in the Energy Transition Business and the AI/Data Science Business categories.
CLS Wind, a self-erection wind turbine tower system provider for the wind energy industry, was named a finalist in the Minority-Founded Business category.
Corrolytics, a technology startup founded to solve microbiologically influenced corrosion problems for industrial assets, was named a finalist in the Minority-Founded Business and People's Choice: Startup of the Year categories.
Elementium Materials, a battery technology with liquid electrolyte solutions, was named a finalist in the Energy Transition Business category.
Enovate Ai, a provider of business and operational process optimization for decarbonization and energy independence, was named a finalist in the AI/Data Science Business category.
FluxWorks, developer and manufacturer of magnetic gears and magnetic gear-integrated motors, was named a finalist in the Deep Tech Business category.
Gold H2, a startup that's transforming depleted oil fields into hydrogen-producing assets utilizing existing infrastructure, was named a finalist in the Minority-Founded Business and the Deep Tech Business categories.
Hertha Metals, developer of a technology that cost-effectively produces steel with fewer carbon emissions, was named a finalist in the Deep Tech Business category.
InnoVentRenewables, a startup with proprietary continuous pyrolysis technology that converts waste tires, plastics, and biomass into valuable fuels and chemicals, was named a finalist in the Energy Transition Business and the People's Choice: Startup of the Year categories.
NanoTech Materials, a chemical manufacturer that integrates novel heat-control technology with thermal insulation, fireproofing, and cool roof coatings to drastically improve efficiency and safety, was named a finalist in the Scaleup of the Year category.
SageGeosystems, an energy company focused on developing and deploying advanced geothermal technologies to provide reliable power and sustainable energy storage solutions regardless of geography, was named a finalist in the Energy Transition Business category.
Square Robot, an advanced robotics company serving the energy industry and beyond by providing submersible robots for storage tank inspections, was named a finalist in the Scaleup of the Year category.
Syzygy Plasmonics, a company that's decarbonizing chemical production with a light-powered reactor platform that electrifies the production of hydrogen, syngas, and fuel with reliable, low-cost solutions, was named a finalist in the Scaleup of the Year category.
TierraClimate, a software provider that helps grid-scale batteries reduce carbon emissions, was named a finalist in the Energy Transition Business category.
Voyager Portal, a software platform that helps commodity traders and manufacturers in the O&G, chemicals, agriculture, mining, and project cargo sectors optimize the voyage management lifecycle, was named a finalist in the AI/Data Science Business category.
In addition to the startup finalists, two energy transition-focused organizations were recognized in the Community Champion Organization category, honoring a corporation, nonprofit, university, or other organization that plays a major role in the Houston innovation community. The two finalists in that category are:
Energy Tech Nexus, a new global energy and carbon tech hub focusing on hard tech solutions that provides mentor, accelerator and educational programs for entrepreneurs and underserved communities.
Greentown Houston, a climatetech incubator and convener for the energy transition community that provides community engagement and programming in partnership with corporations and other organizations.
Lastly, a few energy transition innovators were honored in the individual categories, including Carlos Estrada, growth partner at First Bight Ventures and head of venture acceleration at BioWell; Juliana Garaizar, founding partner of Energy Tech Nexus; and Neal Dikeman, partner at Energy Transition Ventures.
With the collaboration, joint customers can seamlessly integrate accurate energy forecasts into power market trading. Photo via amperon.co
In an effort to consolidate and improve energy data and forecasting, a Houston software company has expanded to a new platform.
Amperon announced that it has expanded its AI-powered energy forecaststoSnowflake Marketplace, an AI data cloud company. With the collaboration, joint customers can seamlessly integrate accurate energy forecasts into power market trading. The technology that Amperon provides its customers — a comprehensive, AI-backed data analytics platform — is key to the energy industry and the transition of the sector.
“As Amperon continues to modernize energy data and AI infrastructure, we’re excited to partner with Snowflake to bring the most accurate energy forecasts into a single data experience that spans multiple clouds and geographies," Alex Robart, chief revenue officer at Amperon, says in a news release. "By doing so, we’re bringing energy forecasts to where they will be accessible to more energy companies looking to increase performance and reliability."
Together, the combined technology can move the needle on enhanced accuracy in forecasting that strengthens grid reliability, manages monetary risk, and advances decarbonization.
“This partnership signifies Amperon’s commitment to deliver world-class data-driven energy management solutions," Titiaan Palazzi, head of power and Utilities at Snowflake, adds. "Together, we are helping organizations to easily and securely access the necessary insights to manage risk and maximize profitability in the energy transition."
With Amperon's integrated short-term demand and renewables forecasts, Snowflake users can optimize power markets trading activity and manage load risk.
"Amperon on Snowflake enables us to easily integrate our different data streams into a single unified view," Jack Wang, senior power trader and head of US Power Analysis at Axpo, says. "We value having complete access and control over our analytics and visualization tools. Snowflake allows us to quickly track and analyze the evolution of every forecast Amperon generates, which ultimately leads to better insights into our trading strategy."
Houston climatech company Vema Hydrogen recently completed drilling its first two pilot wells in Quebec for its Engineered Mineral Hydrogen (EMH) pilot. The company says the project is the first EMH pilot of its kind.
Vema’s EMH technology produces low-cost, high-purity hydrogen from subsurface rock formations. It has the capacity to support e-fuel and clean mobility industries and the shipping and air transport markets. The pilot project is the first field deployment of the company’s technology.
“This pilot will provide the critical data needed to validate Engineered Mineral Hydrogen at commercial scale and demonstrate that Quebec can lead the world in this emerging clean energy category,” Pierre Levin, CEO of Vema Hydrogen, said in a news release.
Levin added that the sample collected thus far in the pilot is “exactly what we expected, and is very promising for hydrogen yields.”
Through the pilot, Vema will collect core samples and begin subsurface analysis to evaluate fluid movement and monitor hydrogen production from the wells. The data collected from the pilot will shape Vema's plans for commercialization and provide documentation for proof of concept in the field, according to the news release.
“Vema Hydrogen perfectly embodies the spirit of the grey to green movement: transforming mining liabilities into drivers of innovation and ecological transition,” Ludovic Beauregard, circular economy commissioner at the Thetford Region Economic Development Corporation, added in the release.
“This project demonstrates that it is possible to reconcile the revitalization of mining regions, clean energy and sustainable economic development for these areas.”
In addition to its pilot in Canada, Vema also recently signed a 10-year hydrogen purchase and sale agreement with San Francisco-based Verne Power to supply clean hydrogen for data centers across California. The company was selected as a Qualified Supplier by The First Public Hydrogen Authority, which will allow it to supply clean hydrogen at scale to California’s municipalities, transit agencies and businesses through the FPH2 network.
Vema aims to produce Engineered Mineral Hydrogen for less than $1 per kilogram. The company, founded in 2024, is working toward a gigawatt-scale hydrogen supply in North America.
A Houston-based climatech startup is one of the first 16 companies in the world to receive funding through a new partnership between The Bezos Earth Fund and The Earthshot Prize.
Mati Carbon will receive $100,000 through the Bezos Earth Fund’s Acceleration Initiative. The initiative will provide $4.8 million over three years to support climate and nature solutions startups. It's backed by The Bezos Earth Fund, which was founded through a $10 billion gift from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and aims to "transform the fight against climate change."
The Acceleration Initiative will choose 16 startups each year from The Earthshot Prize’s global pool of nominations that were not selected as finalists. The Earthshot Prize, founded by Prince William, awards £1 million to five energy startups each year over a decade.
"The Earthshot Prize selects 15 finalists each year, but our wider pool of nominations represents a global pipeline of innovators and investable solutions that benefit both people and planet. Collaborating with the Bezos Earth Fund to support additional high-potential solutions is at the heart of commitment to working with partners who share our vision," Jason Knauf, CEO of The Earthshot Prize, said in a news release. "By combining our strengths to support 48 carefully selected grantees from The Earthshot Prize’s pool of nominations, our partnership with the Bezos Earth Fund means we will continue to drive systemic change beyond our annual Prize cycle, delivering real-world impact at scale and speed.”
Mati Carbon was founded in 2022 by co-directors Shantanu Agarwal and Rwitwika Bhattacharya. It removes carbon through its Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) program and works with agricultural farms in Africa and India. Mati Carbon says the farmers it partners with are some of the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
"As one of the first 16 organizations selected, this support enables us to expand our operations, move faster and think bigger about the impact we can create," the company shared in a LinkedIn post.
The other grantees from around the world include:
Air Protein Inc.
Climatenza Solar
Instituto Floresta Viva
Forum Konservasi Leuser
Fundación Rewilding Argentina
Hyperion Robotics
InPlanet
Lasso
Mandai Nature
MERMAID
Asociación Conservacionista Misión Tiburón
Simple Planet
Snowchange Cooperative
tHEMEat Company
UP Catalyst
Mati Carbon also won the $50 million grand prize in the XPRIZE Carbon Removal competition, backed by Elon Musk’s charitable organization, The Musk Foundation, last year.
Equipped with the proper policies and investments, Texas could capitalize on its oil and gas infrastructure and expertise to lead the U.S. in development of advanced geothermal power, a new University of Houston white paper says.
Drilling, reservoir development and subsurface engineering are among the Texas oil and gas industry’s capabilities that could translate to geothermal energy, according to a news release. Furthermore, oil and gas skills, data, technology and supply chains could help make geothermal power more cost-effective.
Up to 80 percent of the investment required for a geothermal project involves capacity and skills that are common in the oil and gas industry, the white paper points out.
Building on its existing oil-and-gas foundation, Texas could help accelerate production of geothermal energy, lower geothermal energy costs and create more jobs in the energy workforce, according to the news release.
The paper also highlights geothermal progress made by Houston-based companies Fervo Energy, Quaise Energy and Sage Geosystems, as well as Canada-based Eavor Technologies Inc.
UH’s Division of Energy published the white paper, Advanced Geothermal: Opportunities and Challenges, in partnership with the C.T. Bauer College of Business’ Gutierrez Energy Management Institute.
“Energy demand, especially electricity demand, is continuing to grow, and we need to develop new low-carbon energy sources to meet those needs,” Greg Bean, executive director of the institute and author of the white paper, said of geothermal’s potential.
