Energy Tech Startups

Fresh off their win at the Rice Lily Pitch Competition, Sean and Chen-Yang share how they went from PhD students at Rice University to founders of HEXASpec, tackling energy efficiency and emissions through advanced heat management materials. They explain how their material science research addresses thermal conductivity challenges in semiconductor packaging, an increasingly critical issue as AI and GPU demand accelerates, and why customer feedback led them to pivot from HVAC to semiconductors, underscoring the importance of adaptability in building a successful startup.

00:00 - Intro
01:00 - What is Heat Management
05:20 -  Materials in Use
08:15 - Discovering and Developing New Material
10:52 - Market Entry Strategy
16:43 - Pivoting in Business
20:30 - Market Research for Beginners
21:24 - Building a Prototype
23:05 - Fundraising Tips
29:02 - Lessons from Competitions
35:49 - Student Entrepreneurship
39:37 - Houston’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
42:04 - Houston’s Hidden Gems
47:21 - Innovation Ecosystem Gaps
49:40 - Supporting NanoSono
50:13 - Founders' Podcast Thoughts

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