Startup Series: Syzygy Plasmonics

Today's guest is Trevor Best, CEO and Co-founder at Syzygy Plasmonics. Syzygy is rethinking how chemicals are produced and pioneering a new technology that energizes chemical reactions via light. Their photocatalyst technology came out of the lab at Rice University. Toward the end of 2022, the company announced a $76 million Series C financing led by Carbon Direct Capital and a number of significant strategies in the energy, oil and gas, and automotive sectors.

During the episode, Trevor and Cody delve into various topics, including Trevor's background, traditional petrochemical methods of chemical production, and the fortuitous discovery that led him and his co-founder to commercialize their cutting-edge technology at Syzygy. The discussion also covers the various chemical pathways that Syzygy is currently pursuing, such as zero-emissions hydrogen, low-emissions hydrogen, syngas, and methanol.

In this episode, we cover:

[2:46] Trevor's background and Syzygy's origin story
[7:37] The relationship between fossil fuels and the chemical industry
[9:48] Other emerging alternatives in the space
[11:39] Origins of Syzygy's photochemistry technology and its implications
[20:59] Syzygy's decision to focus on hydrogen pathways
[24:32] An overview of dry reforming
[27:40] The company's business model
[30:14] Sygyzy's scale-up progress and plans for the future
[36:47] How Syzygy balances adding new capabilities to its reactors
[42:09] Trevor's thoughts on the future and where Syzygy needs help

Get connected:
Cody Simms
Trevor Best / Syzygy
MCJ Podcast / Collective

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Episode recorded on March 6, 2023.

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant