10 most-promising energy and clean technology companies named at Rice

Eight businesses based in the Houston area were among the 10 most-promising energy and clean technology venture companies announced by the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship (Rice Alliance) at the 15th annual Energy and Clean Technology Venture Forum held Sept. 14 at Rice University’s McNair Hall.

The Houston-based honorees were Advantek Waste Management Services, Commando Pressure Control, Comitt Well Solutions, DataJudo, DynaView, FlexGen Power Systems, FlowCommand and Vertice Oil Tools. Rounding out the 10 winners were two companies from Canada: Ingu Solutions and Flyscan Systems.

Energy and clean technology companies showcased their new offerings at the largest venture capital conference in the Southwest. Among the 600 attendees were investors, venture capitalists, industry representatives, business leaders, service providers and entrepreneurs.

The 10 most-promising energy and clean technology companies were chosen from more than 225 startup applicants and judged by industry experts and interest generated from participating investors. This was the most startups to ever participate in the forum.

“Every year the quality of companies improves,” said Rice Alliance managing director Brad Burke, who announced the winners. “Over the past 15 years, more than 2,000 companies have presented at Rice Alliance Technology Venture Forums. These companies have raised more than $3.1 billion in funding. This speaks to the quality of the companies and to the robust entrepreneurial ecosystem of investors that has been developed to support these companies. Despite the challenging economic environment over the past several years, good companies have been able to attract investors.”

The forum was supported by Chevron, Shell, Mercury Fund, Aramco Energy Ventures, BP, GE, TechnipFMC, Total, Altira, ConocoPhillips, Lime Rock Partners, EV Equity Investment, Statoil, Energy Innovation Capital, Wells Fargo, Andrews Kurth, Norton Rose Fulbright, PKF Texas, Winstead and Vinson & Elkins LLP along with these organizations: Energy Valley Inc., Leyendecker Executive Search, Greater Houston Partnership, Canadian Consulate and CleanTech Open, Energy Valley Inc. Houston Angel Network and U.S. Department of Energy.

Ten energy startups were recognized as Most Promising Energy Technology Venture Companies at the 2017 Rice Alliance Energy and Clean Technology Venture Forum. (L-R: Ingu Solutions,DataJudo, Advantek Waste Management Services, Comitt Well Solutions, FlexGen Power Systems , Vertice Oil Tools. Not pictured: Commando Pressure Control, Dynaview, FlowCommand and Flyscan Systems.)