The Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC) has once again taken a significant stride towards fostering clean energy innovation with the announcement of its 2024 TechX startup cohort. Now entering its sixth year, the TechX Clean Energy Accelerator is set to welcome 12 promising startups into its programme, commencing in February.
The chosen startups represent a diverse range of innovative solutions aimed at propelling the adoption of clean and affordable energy technologies. Each participant will receive funding of up to £100,000 along with access to NZTC’s extensive network of mentors, investors, and sponsors, which includes industry giants like bp, Equinor, ADNOC, and the newly joined ConocoPhillips.
Mark Anderson, Chief Acceleration Officer and TechX Director, emphasized the crucial role of entrepreneurs in driving the energy transition. He highlighted the potential of this year’s cohort to introduce compelling innovations that can reshape the energy landscape and steer us towards achieving net zero emissions.
The TechX programme seeks to harness entrepreneurial ingenuity in discovering and advancing critical technologies essential for the energy transition. Over the course of 15 weeks, participants will undergo investor readiness training, refine their business models, hone their business storytelling skills, and more. The programme will culminate in a Demo Day scheduled for June 2025, providing startups with a platform to showcase their solutions to industry leaders and potential investors, thus unlocking further funding opportunities.
Beyond the accelerator phase, TechX offers an additional two years of growth support, enabling startups to capitalize on the momentum gained during the programme. Participants will continue to benefit from NZTC’s network and co-working facilities, fostering an ecosystem conducive to innovation and collaboration.
The selected startups span a wide array of innovative technologies and solutions:
- Airspection: Specializes in drones designed for offshore infrastructure inspection, enhancing reliability and safety.
- Apleum: Develops technology for converting renewable energy, carbon dioxide, and water into zero carbon jet fuel.
- Kali Technology: Focuses on carbon-zero industrial process heating through integrated heat pump technology.
- Frontier Robotics: Offers platform-agnostic software and hardware for autonomous underwater inspections.
- HyWaves: Provides a power management control system to increase hydrogen production for solar-to-hydrogen applications.
- H2CHP: Develops a fuel-flexible power generator targeted at ports, enabling efficient, zero carbon emissions operations.
- INERGIO Technologies: Designs a novel system combining fuel cells and diesel generators for sustainable off-grid power solutions.
- MECHAPRES: Develops high-temperature heat pumps with embedded thermal storage for industrial heat decarbonization.
- Modjoule: Provides smart, battery-equipped containers for cost-effective electrification of shipping vessels.
- Reaforma: Focuses on secure carbon capture and storage using construction waste in carbon-negative composites.
- Soltropy: Offers novel solar thermal technology for buildings, enabling carbon neutral heat production.
- SurreyH2: Develops lower-cost green hydrogen production technology using a recirculating catalyst.
The TechX programme has already supported 57 startups to date, collectively generating £32 million in revenue and creating 443 new jobs. With seven commercializations achieved and more on the horizon, TechX alumni companies are making significant strides towards enabling 20-25 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions savings per year by 2030.
In conclusion, the Net Zero Technology Centre’s TechX Clean Energy Accelerator continues to serve as a catalyst for clean energy innovation, driving impactful solutions and propelling the global transition towards a sustainable, low-carbon future. Through collaboration, support, and unwavering dedication to innovation, TechX and its cohort of startups are poised to make a meaningful difference in the fight against climate change.