Tulsa, Oklahoma — December 26, 2025: In a major boost for clean energy innovation, the University of Tulsa (UTulsa) and its venture fund Hurricane Ventures have announced a strategic investment in Tobe Energy, a pioneering electrolysis startup founded by UTulsa alumni Colby DeWeese and Caleb Lareau. This investment aims to accelerate Tobe Energy’s mission to make clean hydrogen production more affordable, efficient, and scalable — a key step toward a low-carbon global economy.
“We are proud to see our UTulsa alumni leading the charge in the clean energy transition,” said Chris Wright, Director of UTulsa’s Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. “Tobe Energy and its founders exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit that UTulsa fosters. Supporting them through Hurricane Ventures aligns perfectly with our goal of driving real-world innovation and economic growth.”
Fueling Innovation Through Hurricane Ventures
Launched in April 2023, Hurricane Ventures invests in early-stage startups with meaningful ties to the university. The fund leverages UTulsa’s strong research network, faculty expertise, and resources to support founders and scale cutting-edge ideas. Operated in partnership with the Collins College of Business and the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, the initiative strengthens Tulsa’s innovation ecosystem and promotes regional economic growth through entrepreneurship.
Tobe Energy: Redefining Hydrogen Production
Tobe Energy is developing a next-generation electrolyzer — a device that separates water into hydrogen and oxygen without producing harmful emissions. Unlike conventional systems, Tobe’s membrane-free technology simplifies the process, reduces waste heat, and cuts production costs by up to 75%.
This innovation could dramatically improve the economics of clean hydrogen, making it viable for large-scale applications across industries such as energy, manufacturing, and transportation.
Alumni Founders Leading the Charge
Colby DeWeese, a UTulsa chemical engineering alumnus and now CEO of Tobe Energy, brings extensive experience, having led over $75 million in energy infrastructure projects.
His co-founder, Dr. Caleb Lareau, studied mathematics and biochemistry at UTulsa before earning his Ph.D. from Harvard University. He also co-founded Cartography Biosciences, a precision therapeutics company that has raised more than $50 million in funding.
“Oklahoma is the perfect place to launch major renewable energy projects,” said DeWeese. “With support from local investors and my alma mater, our goal is to make hydrogen production so efficient and affordable that it fuels the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon world. With Hurricane Ventures behind us, we’re closer than ever to turning breakthrough technology into real-world impact.”
Empowering the Future of Clean Energy
This partnership between UTulsa, Hurricane Ventures, and Tobe Energy highlights the growing importance of university-backed innovation in addressing global energy challenges. By combining academic research, entrepreneurship, and sustainability, Tulsa is positioning itself as a hub for clean energy transformation and technological progress.
Ruchi Kumar is the associate editor at Entrepreneur News Network and TVW News India, where she leads editorial strategy, brand storytelling, and startup ecosystem coverage. With a strong focus on innovation, business, and marketing insights, he curates impactful narratives that spotlight India’s evolving entrepreneurial landscape.