UT Energy Week 2026: Developing the Ecosystems to Support Investible Startups

The panel, moderated by Andy Maas of UT Austin’s Discovery to Impact, brings together investors and ecosystem builders to discuss how early-stage energy startups are evaluated and supported. Panelists include David Neff (UT Austin, Argonne National Lab), Sahil Jain (Newlab), Chris Bosch (Halliburton Labs), and Jim Sledzik (Aramco Ventures). They share insights on what makes startups investible, emphasizing market understanding, team quality, and supply chain readiness. Examples of deals passed on highlight common pitfalls: EV charging startups failed to understand customer behavior, and a startup with promising technology lacked the right team to scale. The discussion covers the importance of ecosystems like accelerators and corporate venture arms in providing non-dilutive support. They stress the need for founders to communicate value propositions clearly and to consider switching costs for incumbents. The panel also touches on the role of government programs and the challenge of aligning startup timelines with corporate planning cycles. Overall, the conversation provides practical advice for entrepreneurs and investors in the energy sector.