New Ecosystem Leaders Join 2025 Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week

New partners bolster momentum for Houston’s energy ecosystem

HOUSTON (August 11, 2025) – Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week returns September 15–19, 2025, bringing together top climate and energy investors, industry leaders, and startups from around the world. As funding becomes increasingly critical to scaling climate solutions, this year’s event expands with new partners to help innovators connect with the capital and collaborators needed to drive impact.

Launched in 2024 through a collaboration between Halliburton Labs, Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI), Ion, Greentown Labs, Activate, and Collide, the inaugural event drew over 2,000 attendees, 125 startups, and more than 100 speakers across 30+ events to discuss energy innovation and climate solutions.

“The organizations and events hosted at the Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week showcase the city as a national hub for the energy future,” said Brad Burke, Associate VP for Industry and New Ventures at Rice University and Executive Director of the Rice Alliance, a founding partner for the week. “As a cornerstone week for global energy investors, startups and technology leaders, we encourage organizations to add to the week! Whether you’re exploring breakthrough tech, meeting investors, or simply eager to connect with others driving change, this week offers something for every innovator.”

With a strong mix of regional leadership and national participation, the week serves as a powerful platform to spotlight Houston’s leadership in energy innovation. Houston’s thriving energy and climate innovation ecosystem continues to be demonstrated thanks to the collaborative efforts of our community partners and our many corporate supporters. The list of partners continues to grow, including: New Climate Ventures, Decarbonization Partners, University of Houston, Energy Tech Nexus, TEX-E, Chevron and Avatar Innovations.

 “Last year’s events exceeded our expectations, and 2025 is looking even stronger. As early-stage climate tech investors, we’re thrilled to be part of it.  As Bill Gates noted last year, Houston is poised to be the “Silicon Valley of energy,” and this week showcases that leadership. It brings together world-class founders, co-investors, and industry partners who have the engineering prowess, balance sheets, and capital-projects expertise to scale these solutions. As Gates said, “If you want to see what the cutting edge of next-gen clean energy innovation looks like, it’d be hard to find a place better than Texas.” Taylor Chapman, New Climate Ventures, Investment Principal.

This year builds on that momentum, with a robust schedule of panels, pitch sessions, and networking events taking place citywide, including several events hosted in the Ion District, Houston’s innovation hub, powered by Rice University. Energy ventures will present breakthrough technologies driving a low-carbon energy future with opportunities to engage top venture capital, private equity, and strategic corporate investors. 

“What sets Houston apart is our ability not just to pilot ideas—but to fund, scale, and commercialize them,” said Jane Stricker, Executive Director of the Houston Energy Transition Initiative and Senior Vice President of the Greater Houston Partnership. “As the energy capital of the world, Houston is uniquely equipped to bring together the capital, talent, and infrastructure needed to grow the next generation of climate and energy solutions.  Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week showcases the region’s bold innovation and growing momentum in solving the dual challenge of delivering more energy with less emissions.”

For the full schedule and to stay updated on Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week, visit https://houstonenergyclimatestartupweek.com/.

About Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week
Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week is a collaborative, city-wide initiative dedicated to advancing solutions for the energy transition. Launched by Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, Halliburton Labs, Greentown Labs, Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI), Collide and Activate, the annual activation brings together startups, investors, and industry leaders to showcase innovation and drive meaningful impact. Events are hosted by many organizations across the city.

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