Date: Thursday 3 April
Address: P&J Live, Aberdeen, United Kingdom, AB21 9FX
Exhibition stands
Net Zero Innovators will feature an exciting range of companies exhibiting in the following areas:
- Renewable Energy Zone
- Hydrogen and Alternative Fuels Zone
- Industrial Decarbonisation Zone
- CCUS and Methane Capture
- Ecosystem Zone
Headline panels
Fireside chat with Chris Herd: “Entrepreneurial aspirations: lessons from scaling, raising $65M and exiting”
09:30 – 09:50
In this keynote, Chris Herd, Founder and CEO of Firstbase, shares his journey from Aberdeen’s oil and gas sector to startup success—overcoming 150 UK funding rejections before securing US investment and raising $65M to scale Firstbase to its acquisition by AppDirect. He’ll offer practical insights on fundraising, customer growth, and scaling, while exploring Aberdeen’s role in advancing energy technologies.
Roundtable discussion: “Unlocking energy innovation: how to create an energy technology unicorn”
09:50 – 10:30
This roundtable brings together four key perspectives in the energy transition—technology startups, industry, investors, and policy. The discussion will explore the challenges each faces in driving new technologies and uncover what works (and what doesn’t) in advancing net zero innovation. Expect practical insights and best practices to help foster more effective collaboration.
Pitch Battle
13:00 – 13:45
Alongside our panel sessions, join our TechX Accelerator participants and alumni for a high-energy pitch battle, where they’ll go head-to-head to showcase their cutting-edge solutions for the future of clean energy.
Technology panels
Stage one
The Future of Offshore Renewables
10:45 – 11:30
Covering advancements in offshore renewable power generation, including wind, ocean energy and floating solar PV, with a focus on offshore electrification, grids, and the role of ROVs and subsea robotics in maintaining sustainable energy production.
Panellists include representatives from EMEC, Wave Energy Scotland and ORE Catapult.
The Future of Energy Storage
11:45 – 12:30
Exploring advancements in storage technologies, transmission systems and variability management to ensure a stable and reliable energy supply.
Panellists include representatives from Crondall Energy, Shell and Verlume.
The Future of Hydrogen
14:15 – 15:00
Examining the latest developments in hydrogen production, including electrolysers, membranes, and catalysts. The session will also address transport, usage and the modernisation of infrastructure to support hydrogen production projects and increase offtake options.
Panellists include representatives from Xodus, AFC Energy, BP Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub and Hydrogen Scotland.
National Decommissioning Centre: Collaborating with Industry from Bench Top to Field Trials
15:10 – 15:30
In this lightning talk the National Decommissioning Centre (NDC) will uncover their capabilities and technical services offerings through showcasing case studies including the development of underwater laser-cutting with Claxton and use-case examples NDC’s marine simulator to support the renewables sector and technology development.
Stage two
The Future of Industrial Decarbonisation
10:45 – 11:30
Focusing on innovative solutions for low carbon heat, remote power, and off-grid power systems, this panel will discuss ongoing initiatives for the decarbonisation of industrial clusters and how the optimisation of port operations can contribute to enhanced efficiency and sustainability.
Panellists include representatives from NECCUS, Centre of Energy Policy and the Energy Transition Zone.
The Future of CCS
11:45 – 12:30
Exploring strategies for incentivising capture projects and utilisation options, developing transport and storage networks, and mitigating venting and flaring. Discussion on the creation of CCUS value chains and clusters to support a low-carbon economy.
Panellists include representatives from Wood, SLB and Crondall Energy.
Blackfish Engineering: Insights from the Innovators’ Engineer
14:00 – 14:20
Learn how structured and timely field demonstrations can de-risk and accelerate technology development, whilst simultaneously attracting genuine interest from potential stakeholders. James Hastie, Senior Mechanical Engineer at Blackfish Engineering, will share insights and key takeaways from a game-changing clean energy innovation; from the nurturing of early prototypes, to controlled harbour trials and the world’s first offshore demonstration of an electric vessel charging system.
Manufacturing Technology Centre: Top 20 Tips for Startups
14:30 – 14:50
Steve Morris, Startups and SMEs Director at the Manufacturing Technology Centre, deep dives into top 20 tips for startups developing their business and technology. From knowing your technology readiness level and manufacturing readiness level, to accessing grants, to supply chain solutions, gain valuable advice on elevating your startups’ marketing readiness.
Greenbackers: Getting Your Technology to Market by Leveraging First Customers and Equity Investment
14:30 – 14:50
Greenbackers’ Andrew Smith will share real-world examples of how to take your technology solution from MVP to market. He will cover developing a go-to-market strategy that attracts potential customers, turning early interest into equity investment and first sales. The session will also explore navigating the “Bear and the Butterfly” phase and designing, launching, and executing an effective go-to-market engagement programme.