Building the future of energy with geologic hydrogen

Our mission is to pioneer low-cost, carbon-free geologic hydrogen production right here in the United States.

Using proprietary stimulation technology, advanced exploration models, and leading experts, Anning is developing clean hydrogen projects with the potential to become the largest and most cost-effective in the country. Our mission is to deliver carbon-free hydrogen cheaper than gasoline, accelerating the clean energy transition.

Geoffrey Ellis, United States Geological Survey

“If you add up the amount of hydrogen we think might be trapped in reservoirs, plus the amount that might be produced directly as it is generated, and the amount that could be made through stimulation, you get a very large potential resource”

Anning Selected as Breakthrough Energy Fellow

Houston, September 11th, 2025 – Anning Corporation announced today that it has been chosen to participate in Breakthrough Energy’s prestigious Fellows Program to advance stimulated geologic hydrogen exploration and production to enhance America’s energy abundance and resilience. BE Fellows supports early-stage innovators who are developing technologies with the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions at scale.

“We’re honored to have the opportunity to work with talented founders who are tackling the most difficult climate and energy challenges around the world,” said Ashley Gross, vice president of Breakthrough Energy. “We share their long-term vision and early-stage commitment, and our mission is to help these innovators build strong business and technical foundations for the best opportunity for success.”

BE Fellows receive funding, tailored technical guidance, and access to Breakthrough Energy’s global network of mentors, experts, and partners. The program helps founders bridge the gap from lab to market and advance their solutions toward commercial readiness.

Anning was chosen as part of the 2025 class of Fellows, which includes 45 Fellows across 20 pioneering companies. This group includes innovators working across electricity, transportation, buildings, manufacturing, and agriculture. Half of the teams selected are based outside the United States, reflecting the program’s global reach and commitment to building an international community of climate entrepreneurs.

Anning is charting a bold and innovative course in energy by pioneering the development of stimulated geologic hydrogen through the application of proprietary stimulation approaches and advanced exploration modeling –- techniques adapted from oil, gas and geothermal. Anning is building the foundation for scalable, cost-effective hydrogen production near major demand centers in the US.

“Being selected as a Breakthrough Energy Fellow is an incredible opportunity to accelerate our work on stimulated geologic hydrogen, a new primary energy resource that can power everything from data centers to transportation. We are working towards a future where you can fill up your vehicle with clean hydrogen for less than a tank of gasoline,” said Sophie Broun, Founder & CEO. “With this support, we can focus on advancing our technology and preparing it for real-world deployment.”

Since its launch in 2020, BE Fellows has supported more than 160 innovators across nearly 20 countries. Alumni have secured over $475 million in follow-on funding, filed 175 patents, and completed more than 80 pilots and demonstrations.

Learn more about BE Fellows and the 2025 class here: https://www.breakthroughenergy.org/fellows-2025-cohort/

About Anning Corporation

Anning, founded and led by Sophie Broun, is a Houston-based stimulated geologic hydrogen company with a mission to advance America’s energy ecosystem through development of this new, clean, low-cost primary energy source. Anning leverages its cutting-edge technology to explore for and develop prospective project locations across the US.

About Anning

Anning uses leading science, engineering and technology to safely and responsibly explore for geologic hydrogen in the US.

Our team is highly experienced, previously leading exploration, new ventures and operations both here in the US and internationally.

We believe our values define us and commit to being a trusted partner in the communities where we operate maintaining the highest standards of ethics, care for the environment and social justice.

Latest News

September 11, 2025

Our approach

  • Production Technology

    Anning’s patent pending production technologies leverage techniques from the oil, gas and geothermal industries to achieve commercial hydrogen production rates.

  • Exploration Models

    Anning has a strong understanding of the geologic elements needed to generate hydrogen at commercial rates. Anning aims to unlock this resource near major customer centers to deliver leading economic outcomes.

  • Project Portfolio

    Anning is exploring across the US. We have already started progressing our first prospect and have a runway of portfolio opportunities.

  • Partnerships

    We aim to be a trusted partner and responsible operator, working together with the local communities and protecting the environment.

Leadership

Sophie Broun, CEO

Licensed Professional Geologist (Texas)

MBA, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

MSc Petroleum Geoscience, Royal Holloway, University of London

BEng (Mechanical) BSc (Applied Mathematics & Physics), University of Western Australia

Geologic hydrogen is a breakthrough resource that harnesses natural subsurface processes to produce clean hydrogen at scale.

Sophie brings over 15 years of global experience in energy exploration, development, and strategic operations. She previously held senior technical leadership advisory roles at Chevron across the U.S. and Australia. She has led complex exploration and drilling programs, delivered strategic joint venture outcomes, and worked on billion-dollar assets spanning the Gulf of Mexico, Western Australia, and deep-water frontier basins. Her career gives her a rigorous blend of field-tested technical acumen, stakeholder inclusion and a strong commitment to project development.

Sophie is committed to building Anning grounded in environmental responsibility, technical excellence, and true partnership with local communities.

Sophie holds an MBA from The Wharton School, an MSc in Petroleum Geoscience from Royal Holloway University of London, and dual Bachelor's degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mathematics & Physics from the University of Western Australia. She is a licensed Professional Geologist in Texas and has served on the Board of the Houston Geological Society.

When not charting the path to clean geologic hydrogen, Sophie is outdoors — hiking, skiing, or mountain biking — and passionate about protecting the places where we work and play.

Anning strives to be a trusted partner with communities, stakeholders and the environment.

“Geologic hydrogen has the potential to be the game changer in climate action and fuel our energy future.

Anning uses cutting edge science, technology and engineering to lead the development of this new resource type.”

Sophie Broun, CEO

Our Partners

Contact us

Anning Corporation

hello@anning.io
(832) 726-6049

1942 W Gray St #1072
Houston, TX 77019