Developing non-noble-metal catalysts with high activity and stability is critical for hydrogen production through water splitting. In this study, Co-Te-Se nano-compounds comprised of earth-abundant and cheap elements were synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method. The morphological study of transmission electron microscope (TEM) showed the nanoparticles of Co-Te-Se with a diameter about 25 nm. The composition of Co-Te-Se nano-compounds was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The nanocompounds of Co-Te-Se loaded at multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were evaluated as electrocatalysts toward hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in H2SO4. It showed the onset potentials of only -169 mV vs. RHE. The overpotential required to drive the HER at a current density of 10 mA/cm(2) is about 217 mV and that of 50 mA/cm(2) is about 267 mV with a small Tafel slope of 42 mV/dec for Co-Te-Se/MWCNT. Galvanostatic measurements and continuous potential cycles indicated the stability of Co-Te-Se/MWCNT. This development is potentially attractive earth-abundant electrocatalysts for HER and provides new opportunities for their application in water-splitting. (C) 2016 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.