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A media organization based in Houston that is focused on reporting on the energy sector has recently begun the beta phase of their networking application.

Digital Wildcatters is making an effort to reduce the shortage of skilled workers in the energy field while at the same time producing entertainment through their wacky-named energy podcasts such as "Big Digital Energy" and "What the Funk." They have established Collide as a place where professionals can ask questions and receive expert guidance, as well as an area where companies can find capable employees. The goal of Collide is to inspire the next wave of energy innovators, and it is available for download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

The CEO of Digital Wildcatters, Collin McLelland, wants to broaden their expert group with the aid of a networking tool. This platform is called Collide. McLelland says it's not a diversion from their origins as a digital media organization, but rather an assimilation of the community they've created via podcasts and events into a more engaging platform.

According to McLelland, Digital Wildcatters has successfully created a community of active energy experts over time. This community consists of open-minded young professionals who are committed to resolving the global energy crisis. It is a new generation community that is devoted to the advancement of energy solutions.

According to McLelland, the introduction of Collide has been deliberately slow to allow the team to tailor the user experience according to feedback from focus groups. The app has about 1,000 users at present, and the team is analyzing ways to enhance its usefulness to them before releasing it to a larger audience.

According to McLelland, Collide aims to solve two significant problems in the energy industry - a shortage of understanding of different energy divisions and difficulty in attracting skilled employees. McLelland thinks the reason behind inadequate knowledge is the vastness of the industry, which includes more than just oil and gas and extends to renewable energy and lithium mining. Similarly, by focusing solely on the energy sphere, McLelland believes that Collide can utilize the previously established pool of Digital Wildcatters' experts to address recruitment challenges.

McLelland explains that the Collide platform is essentially a hub that allows people to connect with each other. Whether you're searching for specific information and require insight from an industry expert, or you're looking for new job opportunities, the Collide platform can help facilitate these connections.

Collide is a unique recruitment platform that provides its users with the chance to explore knowledge related to the energy industry. They do this through a content search engine that assimilates all of Digital Wildcatters' podcasts and videos. This platform is a part of their DW Insight subscription offering, which also includes a startup database with details about different companies. Users can find everything from the demonstration of products to the portal to contact them on this database. So, Collide is not like other recruitment websites as it offers much more than just job postings.

McLelland expresses his optimism that in the future there will exist a knowledge repository on (DW Insight) that can be conveniently browsed and explored. He imagines a platform where one can easily locate any piece of information they desire.

McLelland established Digital Wildcatters along with Jake Corley. They kicked off the Oil and Gas Startups podcast back in 2019.

This piece was first published on EnergyCapital.