Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship

ETVF Schedule

Check out what's in store for the 22nd Annual Forum

Keynotes and Panels: Explore emerging energy sources, enhancements and efficiencies within existing energy resources and advances in clean or renewable technologies—and where investors are contributing to the acceleration of these advancements.

Energy Venture Pitches: Through 50 dynamic venture pitches, leaders will showcase energy tech innovations to shift towards a more sustainable, reliable and lower carbon future.

Clean Energy Accelerator Class 5 Demo Day Pitches: Class 5 will cap off their time in the accelerator by pitching.

Announcement of Most Promising Company: Chosen by energy tech industry experts and participating investors.

Invite-Only Investor Office Hours: A critical element of the event is the opportunity for more in-depth discussions with key investors, corporations and partners. Selected energy tech ventures connect with investors for individual, invite-only office hours on Sept. 17.

Download the Program

2025 Schedule | September 18 | Jones Graduate School of Business, Rice University

The 2025 conference will facilitate connections between energy tech ventures and industry leaders and investors, while providing energy corporations the opportunity to identify fresh solutions for their technology challenges.

  • Brad Burke, Associate Vice President, Industry and New Ventures, Rice Innovation
       Executive Director, Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship

    Paul Cherukuri, PhD, Vice President for Innovation and Chief Innovation Officer, Rice University

     

  • Keynote: Arjun Murti, Partner, Energy Macro and Policy, Veriten

    • Xplorobot
    • C+UP
    • Hive Autonomy
    • Iron IQ
    • Kewazo
    • Muon Vision
    • SpiroPak
    • Flyscan Systems
    • CO2 Lock
    • Polystyvert dba UpSolv
    • Circul8 Energy & Environment
    • Artemis Production Solutions
    • Direct C
    • Badwater Alchemy
    • Aquafortus

  • Strategies and innovations addressing core energy businesses while driving the energy transition.

    Moderator: Michael Torosian, JD, Partner, Baker Botts

    Panelists:

    • Tim Bartlett, US Ecosystems Lead, Equinor
    • Wei Cai, PhD, Chief Technology Officer, Technip Energies
    • Lynda Clemmons, SVP, Chief Sustainability Officer & Head of Strategy Implementation, NRG Energy
    • Fabien Duclocher, Technology Director, Eni Next
    • Ammobia
    • Mcatalysis
    • Exum Instruments
    • Sperra
    • RapiCure Solutions
    • Mithril Minerals
    • Precision Additive

  • Exploring how CCUS is being deployed to decarbonize operations, enhance sustainability, and unlock new value streams.

    Moderator: Art J. Schroeder, Jr., CEO, Energy Valley

    Panelists:

    • Darrell Adkins, Completions Tools Lead,  Sustainable Markets & Low Carbon Solutions, Halliburton
    • Mike Hurd, Business Development, Carbon Capture and Storage, ExxonMobil
    • Megan Lund, Manager, International Innovation Ecosystems, Woodside Energy
    • Ash Shepherd, JD, President, CarbonCycle

  • Exploring the investment trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of energy.

    Moderator: Mitra Miller, Vice President, Houston Angel Network

    Panelists:

    • Kemal Anbarci, PhD, GM Venture Capital & Managing Executive, Chevron Technology Ventures
    • Chad Bown, Americas Managing Director, bp Ventures
    • Rob Crane, PhD, Technology Scouting & Venturing Manager, ExxonMobil
    • Brian Panoff, Head of Ventures, Americas, Shell Ventures
    • Jim Sledzik, Managing Director, North America, Strategic Venturing Program, Aramco Ventures

       

  • Brad Burke, Associate Vice President, Industry and New Ventures, Rice Innovation
       Executive Director, Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship

  • How later-stage capital is accelerating commercialization and scaling infrastructure.

    Moderator: Barbara Burger, PhD, Energy Director and Advisor 

    Panelists:

    • David Hayes, Managing Director, Investments, Decarbonization Partners, a BlackRock & Temasek JV
    • Bala Nagarajan, Managing Director, Energy Investment Team, S2G Investments
    • Cory Steffek, PhD, Partner, Ara Partners
    • Jesse Teichman, Partner, MKB
       

  • Welcoming Remarks: Kerri Smith, Executive Director, Rice Alliance Clean Energy Accelerator
       Associate Managing Director, Rice Alliance

    Class 5 Ventures:

    • 1NNOW1IND Energy Solutions
    • Metal Light
    • GeoKiln Energy Innovation
    • Fathom Storage
    • Resollant
    • AQUA-CELL ENERGY
    • AtoMe
    • AtmoSpark Technologies
    • PolyQor
    • Moonshot Organics
    • Lukera Energy
    • Arculus Solutions

  • A case study in how AI is being deployed to accelerate efficiencies in the energy industry.

    Moderator: Alex Gras, Senior Associate, Mercury

    Panelists:

    • Buck Crum, Director of Operations, Winn Resources
    • John Kalfayan, Director of Data Drilling & AI Wildcatting, collide.
    • Nancy Zakhour, Venture Partner, Ascent Energy Ventures
    • Teverra
    • Aquora Biosystems
    • Aeromine Technologies
    • Glint Solar

  • Leading energy VCs share where they see the greatest potential for innovation, disruption, and returns.

    Moderator: Scott Craig, Partner, Latham & Watkins

    Panelists:

    • Sean Ebert, Senior Partner, Altira
    • Christina Karapataki, Partner, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
    • Victor Liu, CEO & Co-General Partner, HL Energy Ventures
    • Vic Pascucci III, Managing General Partner & Co-Founder, Energy Capital Ventures
       
    • Lydian
    • SiriNor
    • Ekona Power
    • Hydrogenious LOHC Maritime
    • DirectH2
    • Utility Global
    • Moment Energy
    • AlumaPower
    • Horne Technologies
    • Sweetch Energy
    • LiNova Energy
    • Skyven Technologies

  • Discussing strategic capital deployment, risk management, and scalable innovation driving the global energy transition.

    Moderator: Sandy Guitar, Executive Director, TEX-E “Texas Exchange for Energy & Climate Entrepreneurship” 

    Panelists: 

    • George Coyle, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Energy Innovation Capital
    • Adam Lasics, Partner, Piva Capital
    • Eric Rubenstein, Founding Managing Partner, New Climate Ventures
    • Paul Sheng, PhD, Managing Partner, Fathom Fund
       

  • Moderator: Barbara Burger, PhD, Energy Director and Advisor

    Keynote: Susan Schofer, PhD, Partner & Chief Science Officer, HAX, SOSV

  • Brad Burke, Associate Vice President, Industry and New Ventures, Rice Innovation
       Executive Director, Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship

    Danny David, JD, Managing Partner, Baker Botts, L.L.P.