Who knew cactus could be the future of clean energy and sustainable farming? Rhiannon Parker, the brains behind Loop Bioproducts, is flipping the script by turning prickly pear into biofuels, eco-friendly products, and a lifeline for dry, worn-out land. We get into her wild ride from neuroscience to oil and gas to renewable energy, why she bootstrapped her company instead of chasing VC money, and how she’s weaving regenerative agriculture and indigenous knowledge into the heart of everything she builds. Plus, a peek into her passion project, the Loop Institute, where she’s sparking a new wave of STEM innovation.Digital Wildcatters brings the energy community together through events, cutting-edge content, and powerful tools. Join our online community at collide.io. Engage with experts, level up your career, and ask Collide AI your toughest technical questions.Click here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.
00:00 - Energy Tech Nexus00:15 - Intro01:29 - What is Loop Bioproducts06:12 - Skills from Previous Experiences09:34 - Value of Diverse Experience12:57 - Importance of Cactus in Sustainability17:34 - Cactus Photosynthesis Process20:40 - Mechanical Harvesting Techniques21:36 - Loop Bioproducts Business Model23:26 - Sourcing Cactus for Production26:40 - Acquiring Land for Agriculture31:41 - Regenerative Agriculture Practices36:26 - Importance of Timing in Agriculture39:34 - Current Consumer Trends43:40 - Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainability49:00 - Understanding Biopiracy Issues50:00 - Reasons for Avoiding Venture Capital55:10 - Statistical Behavior in Business57:55 - Expertise in Emerging Industries01:03:05 - Contacting Loop Bioproducts and The Loop Institutehttps://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.linkedin.com/company/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcattershttps://www.youtube.com/@digitalwildcatters
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1:07:52
Houston’s Bold Plan to Lead U.S. Manufacturing
Energy storage isn’t just about batteries, it’s about reshaping the future of American manufacturing, and Mush Khan knows it firsthand. From running supply chains in China to now building Alchemy Industrial from the ground up, Mush breaks down how storing energy is a lot like caching data, why the U.S. needs to get serious about reshoring, and how Houston could become the next hub for advanced manufacturing. He also gets real about the role of education, talent, and tech like AI in bringing industrial innovation back home. It’s a mix of big ideas, practical insight, and one guy’s mission to build smarter from the ground up.Digital Wildcatters brings the energy community together through events, cutting-edge content, and powerful tools. Join our online community at collide.io. Engage with experts, level up your career, and ask Collide AI your toughest technical questions.Click here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.
00:00 - Intro08:11 - Reshoring Strategies in Manufacturing11:35 - Patience in Industry Transformation19:09 - Government Regulations Impacting Energy Tech21:22 - WWII Manufacturing Success Story24:41 - Understanding Tariffs in Energy Sector28:14 - Building a Talent Pipeline for Tech31:03 - Importance of Technical Education33:28 - Addressing Systemic Issues in Manufacturing35:45 - The Role of Automation in Industry38:23 - Defining Wealth in Modern Context41:14 - Exploring Comfort in Today's Economy43:26 - Defining Success in Energy Tech45:22 - Houston as a Global Manufacturing Hub48:50 - Challenges in the Education System52:49 - The Power of Storytelling in Tech54:56 - Tackling the Talent Shortage Crisis55:53 - AI's Role in Revolutionizing Manufacturing1:04:13 - Getting Started with AI in Industry1:05:42 - Innovations in Additive Manufacturing1:07:17 - Closing Remarks and Future Insightshttps://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.linkedin.com/company/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcattershttps://www.youtube.com/@digitalwildcatters
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1:09:07
Vitellaria PdDC on Energy Tech Startups
Energy tech meets real-world impact in this one, Ngu Morcho shares how he's helping startups unlock overlooked markets with a boots-on-the-ground approach that blends health, energy, and finance into something seriously transformative. We’re talking about building infrastructure that actually serves people, not just pipelines and panels. From mobilizing patient capital to creating ecosystems that stick, this convo explores what it really takes to bring equity and sustainability to places that need it most.Digital Wildcatters brings the energy community together through events, cutting-edge content, and powerful tools. Join our online community at collide.io. Engage with experts, level up your career, and ask Collide AI your toughest technical questions.Click here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.
00:00 - Intro05:04 - Monetizing Energy Projects09:56 - Need for Project Developers11:36 - Origin of the Rice Alliance15:29 - Integrated Project Delivery & Finance20:19 - Local Capacity Building Importance23:20 - EnergyTech Nexus Overview26:13 - Current Projects in Development34:10 - Understanding Blended Finance38:40 - US Infrastructure & Energy Equity41:55 - Future Vision for Energy Sectorhttps://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.linkedin.com/company/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcattershttps://www.youtube.com/@digitalwildcatters
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47:17
Refuel Electric Vehicle Solutions on Energy Tech Startups
Apartments and EV chargers, why is it such a headache? That’s exactly what we’re tackling with David Aaronson, the real estate pro behind Refuel Electric Vehicle Solutions. With EV adoption skyrocketing, renters are demanding charging options, but property owners are stuck figuring out how to make it work. David’s company is cutting through the red tape, bringing EV charging to 83 cities and counting, while making it painless (and profitable) for landlords. We’re talking infrastructure hurdles, ESG priorities, and how EV charging is shaping the future of multifamily living, because let’s be real, the days of hunting for an open charging spot are numbered.Digital Wildcatters brings the energy community together through events, cutting-edge content, and powerful tools. Join our online community at collide.io. Engage with experts, level up your career, and ask Collide AI your toughest technical questions.Click here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.
00:00 - EnergyTech Nexus00:16 - Refuel EV Solutions04:31 - EVs in Norway05:54 - EVs in Houston10:22 - Refuel’s Business Model16:23 - Sizing an Installation20:45 - Solar and Battery Integration22:15 - Managing EV Charging Duration26:59 - Geographic Differences in EV Charging28:50 - Innovation vs. Invention in EVs35:37 - David Aaronson's Background40:14 - Starting Revs: Journey and Insights49:25 - Impact of EV Tax Credit on Business55:14 - Government Incentives for EV Charging57:40 - Role of Utility Companies in EV Charging59:58 - Aligning Revs' Interests with Customers1:00:30 - How to Find ReFuel Energy Solutionshttps://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.linkedin.com/company/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcattershttps://www.youtube.com/@digitalwildcatters
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1:02:41
From Uber to Founder, EnergyGigs on Energy Tech Startups
Finding the right talent in energy is a headache, but EnergyGigs is flipping the script. CEO Jason Assir joins us to talk about how his platform is making it easier for companies to connect with consultants, freelancers, and even retirees without all the hiring red tape. We get into why traditional hiring doesn’t work for this industry, how AI is shaking things up, and why the future of energy work is looking more flexible than ever, think project-based roles, geothermal experts in demand, and a surge in hydrogen-focused gigs. Jason’s got a unique take on careers, too, challenging the idea that you have to stick to just one lane. If you’re in energy and tired of the same old hiring grind, this one’s for you.Digital Wildcatters brings the energy community together through events, cutting-edge content, and powerful tools. Join our online community at collide.io. Engage with experts, level up your career, and ask Collide AI your toughest technical questions.Click here to watch a video of this episode.
Click here to view the episode transcript.
00:00 - EnergyTech Nexus00:16 - EnergyGigs05:47 - EnergyGigs vs Upwork and Fiverr08:20 - Hiring Tips: Testing Candidates09:58 - COVID's Impact on Work Culture11:26 - Finding the Right Job Candidate19:55 - EnergyGigs Monetization Strategies21:41 - Future Plans for EnergyGigs23:20 - Investor Sentiment in Energy Sector24:53 - Leading the Decarbonization Charge25:54 - Capital Deployment by Investors28:04 - Fundraising Insights in Houston31:11 - Bootstrapping Challenges32:53 - The Mom Test Explained35:55 - Achieving Product Market Fit38:20 - Pivotal Moments in Business39:34 - New Administration's Impact on Energy41:36 - Positioning for the Next Four Years44:43 - Importance of Mentorship48:58 - Future Developments for EnergyGigs51:00 - Contact Informationhttps://www.instagram.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.tiktok.com/@digitalwildcattershttps://www.facebook.com/digitalwildcattershttps://www.linkedin.com/company/digitalwildcattershttps://twitter.com/DWildcattershttps://www.youtube.com/@digitalwildcatters
They say everything's bigger in Texas, including climate change. That's why Houston is leading the energy transition. Here in H-Town, the fourth largest city in the United States, entrepreneurs from across Texas and around the world are gathering to work with titans of industry to build the technology that will reduce emissions and power a low carbon future.
We sit down with those change makers and wildcatters who are solving the toughest energy challenges with trillions of dollars on the line. We dig into how Houston will bring technology to market on a massive scale. Join us as we talk with the leaders of the energy capital of the world as they show us how the energy transition gets done.
Hosts: Nada Ahmed and Jason Ethier
South Africa