Inside Latin America's Climate Tech Boom with Benjamin Zehr

Benjamin explores the opportunities and challenges of building energy tech startups across Latin America and the Caribbean, and how Reciprocal is bridging the gap between the global North and the region through a venture studio focused on nature-based solutions. He discusses funding early-stage startups in emerging markets, the importance of local governance and indigenous communities, and why energy, climate, and ecological systems must be approached together to drive truly sustainable innovation.Join the conversation shaping the future of energy.Collide is the community where oil & gas professionals connect, share insights, and solve real-world problems together. No noise. No fluff. Just the discussions that move our industry forward.Apply today at collide.ioClick here to view the episode transcript. https://www.linkedin.com/in/benzehr/https://reciprocal.studio/00:00 - Intro00:30 - What is Reciprocal06:22 - The Amazon Fellowship13:59 - Nature-Based Solutions and Energy15:45 - Focus on Nature-Based Solutions18:01 - Monetizing Nature-Based Solutions25:00 - Starting a Startup Studio28:46 - Finding Founders in Tech34:04 - Why Houston for Startups36:04 - California: Climate Tech Hub39:58 - Houston's Startup Landscape45:14 - Gaps in Houston's Startup Ecosystem48:20 - Ecosystems in Houston Region50:25 - Houston Energy Tech Summithttps://twitter.com/collide_iohttps://www.tiktok.com/@collide.iohttps://www.facebook.com/collide.iohttps://www.instagram.com/collide.iohttps://www.youtube.com/@collide_iohttps://bsky.app/profile/digitalwildcatters.bsky.socialhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/collide-digital-wildcatters