Octopus Energy Group and Tech Nation relaunch “Tech Zero” climate action initiative

• Free-to-access Tech Zero community open to members of all sizes on path to net zero
• 400 businesses already benefiting from tailored advice and industry events
• Relaunch kicks off with ‘Tech Zero x Kraken Hackathon’ event

London, 3rd July 2024 – Octopus Energy and Tech Nation are reigniting the Tech Zero climate initiative for tech companies to accelerate the drive to a clean economy.

Since first launching in 2021, the initiative has provided the support and resources needed to help tech companies commit to net zero carbon emissions. With 400 members, it has become the largest tech campaign committed to climate action in the UK. Tech Zero is free to access and accepts members of all sizes. 

Now, backed by Octopus Energy and Tech Nation, Tech Zero will continue this support, host events with leading companies and climate experts, and develop a green jobs hub – all designed to accelerate members’ progress towards ambitious net zero targets.

To kick off the initiative’s relaunch, Tech Zero and Kraken – the technology platform behind Octopus Energy – hosted the first-ever ‘Kraken x Tech Zero Hackathon’, designed to give tech companies the opportunity to work on groundbreaking climate tech solutions.

The two-day event brought together nine teams representing 34 different companies, competing for the top prize – a £20,000 grant and a one-year mentorship programme with Kraken.

Developers and designers from renowned tech companies – including Microsoft, Go Cardless, Airbus, Cisco, and BT – came together on 1st and 2nd July at The Vinyl Factory in London.

Participants were given the resources, APIs, and mentoring needed to develop solutions for real-life climate challenges. The solutions are designed to become viable business cases that accelerate the transition to a net zero economy.

The winning entry revolutionised community energy with an open-source platform for monitoring local consumption and facilitating peer-to-peer trading. This innovative approach promotes decentralised energy systems, reducing the large capital investment needed to alleviate grid constraints. 

Over the past three years, Tech Zero has emerged as one of the UK’s leading movements dedicated to climate action, empowering hundreds of tech companies to adopt sustainable practices and drive environmental change. 

The ‘Kraken x Tech Zero Hackathon’ represents a significant step in revitalising this mission, offering a collaborative platform for the brightest minds in technology to devise impactful solutions.

James Eddison, CTO of Octopus Energy, comments: “At the hackathon, we saw the power and creativity of the tech community in addressing the most pressing challenge facing humanity. Congratulations to all participants for coming up with solutions that will benefit customers and build a cheap, green energy future for everyone.”

Sophia Kesteven, General Manager of Tech Zero, comments: “Tech Zero's mission is to drive the tech industry to net zero rapidly. We must ensure tech's carbon footprint doesn't match its growth as we tackle global challenges. The 'Kraken x Tech Zero Hackathon' aims to accelerate this transition, spurring climate action through innovation.” 

Carolyn Dawson, CEO of Founders Forum Group and Tech Nation, comments: “We’re really excited to revive Tech Zero alongside Octopus Energy Group and bring more tech companies, large and small, closer to their net zero goals. Our partnership with Octopus allows us to relaunch the Tech Zero initiative with a free-to-access platform that democratises access to the resources and contacts that can help scaleups and big tech firms alike eliminate their carbon footprints.”  

-ENDS-

Press Contacts

Octopus Energy Group

press@octoenergy.com

+44 (0)20 4530 8369

About Octopus Energy Group

Octopus Energy is a global clean energy tech business, driving the affordable, green energy system of the future. Under its own retail brand, Octopus delivers world-class customer service and cutting edge energy products to 7.9 million households globally. Its operations span 18 countries and the entire energy value chain. The group invests in, builds and flexibly manages renewable energy, operating a £7 billion portfolio of projects.

Octopus has licensed its advanced data and machine learning platform, Kraken, to support over 54 million customer accounts worldwide through licensing deals with companies such as EDF, E.ON and Origin Energy. Kraken enables Octopus to drive the electrification of heat and transport through smart tariffs and innovative cleantech. Backed by pension funds, investors and energy giants, Octopus Energy Group businesses deliver cheaper, greener energy and cutting-edge tech to countries and customers worldwide. For more information, check out our website.

About Tech Nation

In 2023, Founders Forum Group acquired Tech Nation, the UK’s leading growth platform for tech scaleups. FFG continues the previously government-funded Tech Nation programmes centred around early-stage and diverse founders, as well as data-driven research into the UK's tech ecosystem. Tech Nation also proudly endorses the UK’s Global Talent Visa route on behalf of the Home Office.