In the heart of Oklahoma City, a bold startup is challenging everything we thought we knew about clean energy production. Tobe Energy, founded by University of Tulsa alumni Colby DeWeese and Caleb Lareau, is pioneering a revolutionary membrane-free electrolysis system that could transform how the world generates hydrogen.

The company's innovative approach goes beyond traditional green hydrogen production methods. By eliminating expensive membranes, Tobe Energy has developed a technique that dramatically cuts production costs - up to 75% less than conventional systems - while simultaneously reducing waste heat and increasing efficiency.

Backed by a $1.8 million seed funding round led by Cortado Ventures and supported by Hurricane Ventures, the startup is positioning itself at the forefront of clean energy innovation. Their technology isn't just a laboratory curiosity; it's designed for large-scale implementation across critical industries like energy, manufacturing, and transportation.

What makes Tobe Energy's approach particularly compelling is its potential to democratize hydrogen production. By simplifying the extraction process and making it more economically viable, the startup could accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. The technology transforms plain water into a sustainable hydrogen source, bypassing fossil fuel-intensive traditional methods.

The Mid-Continent region, traditionally dominated by legacy energy industries, is emerging as an unexpected clean tech hub. Cortado Ventures sees immense potential in founders like DeWeese, who bring deep understanding of established industrial sectors while driving transformative technological change.

With support from notable investors including 46 VC, Techstars, and former SpaceX engineer Jamie Gull's Wavefunction VC, Tobe Energy represents a new generation of innovators reimagining energy production. Their membrane-free system isn't just a technological marvel - it's a beacon of hope for sustainable industrial transformation.

As the world increasingly seeks clean, efficient energy solutions, startups like Tobe Energy prove that breakthrough technologies can emerge from unexpected places. Oklahoma, once synonymous with oil and gas, might just become the unexpected champion of the green hydrogen revolution.