At the 20th annual Energy Tech Venture Forum, hosted by the Rice University Technology and Entrepreneurship Alliance, 11 startups were recognized by investors at an event that evaluated more than 90 companies in the early stages of the energy transition.
“The selection process was both exciting and challenging given the great ideas we saw today,” said Jason Sidhu, director of information services business engagement at TC Energy, which announced the top companies. “We want to thank all of the companies that participated in this year’s Energy Tech Venture Forum. Your commitment to solving energy problems and pursuing ambitious ideas is truly admirable.”
In addition to the top 10 most promising companies, event attendees also voted for a public winner from a field of nearly 50 presenting companies. The honor went to Calgary, Alberta-based Galatea Technologies, which has developed a technology platform to enhance workflows for operational, financial and environmental performance.
According to experts and investors from the Rice Alliance, the top companies are:
Circular economy startup Polystyvert. The Montreal-based company has developed a proprietary melt recycling process that produces materials that can reduce carbon emissions by up to 90 percent. UK-based Mirico provides customers with tracking technology that measures climate gases (methane, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, ammonia, etc.) in all conditions over areas up to half a square mile. Protein Evolution, New Haven, Connecticut, combines green chemistry and enzyme technology to break down synthetic polymers. Another Canadian company, Ayrton Energy, based in Calgary, has developed liquid organic H2 carrier (LOHC) storage technology, providing a large-scale, scalable and efficient opportunity to transport H2 over long distances. Carbon Loop, also representing New Haven, Connecticut, is on a mission to make carbon capture and conversion scalable through carbon dioxide electrolysis, which uses a proprietary catalyst to convert captured carbon dioxide into methanol. London-based Mobilus Labs has designed a new way to communicate on the frontline with helmet-mounted hardware; and software solutions designed for frontline workers. California-based 1s1 Energy is working on low-cost green hydrogen production by developing new materials that deliver unprecedented electrolysis efficiency, durability, and more. Numat, Skokie, Illinois, specializes in solutions within metal-organic framework (MOF) research to enhance processes for separating dangerous chemicals that are harmful to humans and the environment. Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Mantel has developed a molten borate technology that captures CO2 in a new and efficient way. Mars Materials, a sole Houston-based company, is working to produce acrylonitrile using CO2 and biomass for decarbonization applications in carbon fiber and wastewater treatment.
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This article originally appeared on Energy Capital.
