Energytech Nexus Pilotathon
ETN Pilotathon 2025:
Energy Access and Resilience
Main Components:
Startup Pitches - Selected companies present 7-minute pilot project pitches followed by 7-minute Q&A with industry expert judges from our Corporate Partners
Interactive Showcase - Booth displays where startups demonstrate their technologies and engage directly with attendees
Corporate-Startup Networking - Structured opportunities for meaningful connections between startups and potential pilot partners
Agenda:
8:00 - 9: 30 - Cup of Joey, Arrival and Breakfast
Joey Sanchez, Cup of Joey - Coffee Networking
9:30 - 9:50 - Welcome & Opening Remarks from ETN Founding Partners, NREL, BGS and City of Houston
Jason Ethier, EnergyTech Nexus - Speaker
Nada Ahmed, EnergyTech Nexus - Speaker
Juliana Garaizar, EnergyTech Nexus - Speaker
Jaoquin Martinez, City of Houston Council Member - District I - Speaker
Catherine Dolezal, National Renewable Energy Laboratory - Speaker
Kerry Bowie, Browning the Green Space - Speaker
9:45- 10:00 - Keynote: Latest from the Houston Climate Tech Ecosystem Report 2025
Taylor Chapman & Deanna Zhang , Texas Climate Tech Collective- Speaker
10:00 - 10:05 - Lightening Rod announcement from Startups
10:05 - 10:35 - Panel of Founders: From Proof to Scale: Pilot Success Stories from Founders
Madhav Acharya, Mark1- Moderator
Moji Karimi, Cemvita - Speaker
Ben Jawdat, Revterra - Speaker
Lucy Darago, XGS Energy - Speaker
Laureen Meroueh, Hertha Metals - Speaker
10:35 - 10:40 - Lightening Rod announcement from Startups
10:40 -11:10 -The Corporate View: What We Really Need from Startup Pilots
Scott Craig, Latham & Watkins - Speaker
James Shevchek, Halliburton - Speaker
Yael Weisz Zilberman, NetZero Tech Ventures - Speaker
Ricardo Zapatero, Respol - Speaker
Natalia Alvarez, Deep Tech Alliance - Moderator
11:10 - 11:40 - Panel of VC: The New Due Diligence: Investing in Pilot-Stage Startups
Angel Tejada, BBVA Group
Jim Sledzik, Aramco Ventures - Speaker
Barak Ben Avinoam, BGV and CGV Ventures - Speaker
11:40 - 11:55 Keynote Breakthrough Energy: Developing Solutions for Net-Zero
Jolene Gurevich, Breakthrough Energy- Speaker
11:55 - 12:10 Mentat
Jason Ethier, EnergyTech Nexus - Speaker
12:10 - 1:00 Lunch Break
Pilotathon Pitches Companies
Decimetrix
Copilot Companies
✨Morning Programming + Lunch (9am–1pm): Ticket Required
We kick things off with fresh voices and sharp perspectives on the future of energy. Expect insight, inspiration, and a few wake-up calls. A paid ticket is required for morning sessions and includes lunch.
✨Pilotathon & Afternoon Programming: Where Innovation Meets Impact (1–5pm): Free with Registration
The Pilotathon + Startup Showcase will include more than 50 cutting-edge startups, all ready to pilot. Real tech. Real partners. Real stakes.
Pilot-Focused Approach: Unlike typical pitch competitions, the Pilotathon specifically targets startups ready to implement pilot projects within 6-12 months, creating immediate pathways to commercial partnerships that enhance energy access and resilience.
This is where ideas meet action—and you're invited to be part of it.
Whether you’re building, investing, partnering—or just curious—come see what the future looks like.
Full lineup dropping soon. Big names. Bold stories. Stay tuned.