FAQ: Joseph Kopser's CleanTX Service & Leadership Award and His Impact on Texas' Clean Energy Ecosystem

What is the CleanTX Service & Leadership Award and who received it?

The CleanTX Service & Leadership Award is an honor presented by CleanTX, the statewide alliance for clean technology and energy innovation leaders. Joseph Kopser, President of Grayline Group, received the 2025 award for his record of advancing Texas’ clean economy.

Why was Joseph Kopser selected for this award?

Kopser was recognized for his entrepreneurship, policy leadership, and ability to connect people and ideas across industries that don’t typically intersect, particularly his work bridging defense, transportation, and energy sectors to advance Texas’ clean economy.

When and where was the award presented?

The award was presented at CleanTX’s 40th Anniversary luncheon on Friday, October 24, 2025, in Austin, Texas.

What specific achievements contributed to Kopser receiving this recognition?

Key achievements include co-founding and leading RideScout (a mobility platform acquired by Mercedes-Benz), founding the Defense Energy Summit to connect military leaders with energy experts, and helping shape Austin’s rise as a global hub for clean and defense innovation.

What is RideScout and why was it significant?

RideScout was a groundbreaking mobility platform described as the ‘Kayak for ground transportation’ that allowed users to compare and combine multiple transportation options. It won the 2014 US Department of Transportation Data Innovation Award and was acquired by Mercedes-Benz, marking an early Austin success story in mobility innovation.

How did Kopser’s military experience influence his work in clean energy?

Kopser was motivated to work in energy innovation after seeing soldiers injured or killed delivering fuel to inefficient equipment, which set him on a path to reduce dependence on foreign oil and improve energy efficiency.

What is the Defense Energy Summit and what impact did it have?

The Defense Energy Summit was a first-of-its-kind national conference co-founded by Kopser in 2013 that brought together military leaders, entrepreneurs, and energy experts to address energy resilience and national security challenges, becoming a launching point for collaboration between the Department of Defense, universities, and industry.

How has Kopser contributed to Austin’s innovation ecosystem?

Kopser helped establish Austin as a global hub for clean innovation and defense innovation where technology, security, and sustainability converge, building on his work with RideScout and the Defense Energy Summit to create a thriving transportation-tech ecosystem.

What organizations are involved in this recognition?

CleanTX (the statewide clean technology alliance) presented the award, recognizing Kopser’s work with Grayline Group, his previous company RideScout (acquired by Mercedes-Benz/Moovel), and his founding of the Defense Energy Summit connecting military and energy sectors.