Thu 2 Apr 2026

Green Innovation Ecosystem Catalyst

Nexus - University of Leeds, Discovery Way, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 3AA

09:00-17:00

Conference

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Join the Community

Uniting innovators, businesses, investors and public sector leaders to accelerate climate solutions through collaboration and shared ambition.

GreenTech Gathering is a community of over 1,000 people driving clean tech and climate innovation across the North.

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What to expect

This isn't just another networking event. It is a high-level, strategic catalyst designed to bridge the gap between groundbreaking climate tech and the capital required to scale it.

Connect

Connect with founders, investors, businesses and public sector leaders across the Northern clean tech ecosystem.

Share and discover practical insights on scaling technology, securing investment and navigating policy and funding.

Collaborate

Turn conversations into partnerships and projects that unlock funding, influence policy and move climate solutions forward.

Speakers

Speaking on the day...

Curious who’s funding and scaling the next wave of GreenTech? We’re still finalising our speaker line-up. Follow us to be the first to know who’s joining us at the Ecosystem Catalyst.

Zac Curtis

UK Innovation Lead at E.ON Next

Zac Curtis is UK Innovation Lead at E.ON where he shapes bold, customer-focused propositions and champions a culture of creativity and agility. Zac has led the creation and launch of E.ON Next Gen Home, a pioneering Energy As A Service proposition. At E.ON, he drives future focused energy solutions.

Niamh Donovan

Ecosystem Manager at Sustainable Ventures

Niamh is Ecosystem Manager for Sustainable Ventures, Europe's largest climate tech cluster. She brings experience across finance & innovation for climate, economic development and circular textiles.

Prof David Greenfield

Co-Founder at Tech-Takeback

Serial ecopreneur David founded SOENECS, co-founded Tech-Takeback and etsaW, advises start-ups including Biohm & Packamama. He leads high-impact projects such as SEEH4C, blending technical expertise with policy influence across UK government, EU programmes & strategic circular economy and LCA work.

Sarah Mackintosh

Director, Cleantech for UK at Cleantech Group

Sarah is the Director leading the Cleantech for UK initiative, building a coalition of cleantech and policy leaders to scale up sustainable innovation in the UK.

Dean Hartley

Advisor - Investor at Chevet Technology

I am a business leader with 30+ years’ experience founding, scaling and exiting tech ventures. Now an angel investor, NED and advisor, I back pre-and post-revenue deep-tech and sustainability startups, deploying capital and expertise to support breakthrough solutions for a more sustainable future.

Femi Omoniyi

Net Zero Hub Manager at West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Femi is a research-driven engineer specialising in low carbon energy and process optimisation, with experience spanning product development, quality control, and innovation. He brings strong expertise in strategy, stakeholder collaboration, and delivering scalable approaches to decarbonisation.

Caroline Jones

Co-Founder at NextGen Zero

Global clean‑energy strategist and former Commercial Attaché in the Middle East, helping investors and climate innovators unlock markets, manage risk, forge high‑value partnerships, and accelerate deployment of breakthrough technologies.

Juan Ramon Candia

Climate Innovation Hub Manager at Priestley Centre for Climate Futures

JR is the Climate Innovation Hub Manager at the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures. With 25+ years’ experience, he has led 200+ sustainability and innovation projects across industry, government, academia and startups, supporting the development and commercialisation of climate technologies.

Aaron Francis

Head of Business at Electra

Aaron brings 13 years of regulated engineering and manufacturing experience. Now focused on zero-emission and clean energy technologies, he bridges commercial strategy and technical expertise to deliver HGV and fleet electrification programmes across infrastructure, energy storage, and telematics.

Clare Townley

Climate Systems Communicator & Eco-Poet at Retrofits Of Laughter

Clare is an eco-poet and climate communicator who blends humour, storytelling and decades of award-winning retrofit & microgeneration experience to make complex systems understandable. She explores how technology, incentives and human behaviour shape the transition in a jargon- and acronym-free zone.

Jonathan Fenton

CEO at FeTu

Jonathan is the inventor, founder, and CEO of FeTu Ltd. A commercially astute mechanical design engineer, with over 35 years experience in engineering, operations, and commercial, management. Visit fetu.co.uk and h2p.co.uk to find out more.

Danielle Heward

Founder at Optimo

Danielle Heward, Founder of Optimo, is an operations and behaviour change professional working with environmental and social change innovators. Danielle brings experience from a variety of sectors to those looking to optimise their operating models and create impactful change through their work.

Sam Taylor

Co-Founder at madeby.studio

Sam Taylor is Co Founder of madeby.studio and Greentech Gathering. He helps organisations grow through purposeful digital transformation, from websites and apps to AI solutions. Passionate about sustainable innovation, he connects technology, commercial strategy and climate focused communities.

Gareth Scargill

Director at Nexus

Gareth leads Nexus at the University of Leeds, connecting industry, academia, and entrepreneurs to accelerate innovation. With 20+ years in commercial leadership and business development, he builds high-performing teams and partnerships that help ambitious companies scale and turn ideas into impact.

Zac Curtis

UK Innovation Lead at E.ON Next

Niamh Donovan

Ecosystem Manager at Sustainable Ventures

Niamh is Ecosystem Manager for Sustainable Ventures, Europe's largest climate tech cluster. She brings experience across finance & innovation for climate, economic development and circular textiles.

Prof David Greenfield

Co-Founder at Tech-Takeback

Sarah Mackintosh

Director, Cleantech for UK at Cleantech Group

Sarah is the Director leading the Cleantech for UK initiative, building a coalition of cleantech and policy leaders to scale up sustainable innovation in the UK.

Dean Hartley

Advisor - Investor at Chevet Technology

Femi Omoniyi

Net Zero Hub Manager at West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Caroline Jones

Co-Founder at NextGen Zero

Juan Ramon Candia

Climate Innovation Hub Manager at Priestley Centre for Climate Futures

Aaron Francis

Head of Business at Electra

Clare Townley

Climate Systems Communicator & Eco-Poet at Retrofits Of Laughter

Jonathan Fenton

CEO at FeTu

Danielle Heward

Founder at Optimo

Sam Taylor

Co-Founder at madeby.studio

Gareth Scargill

Director at Nexus

Agenda Agenda Agenda Agenda

09:00

10:00

Networking

Registration, Networking & Innovator Showcase

Start your morning with registration, refreshments, and informal networking to set the stage for a day of collaboration. Be sure to visit the Innovator Showcase, where 5–10 local GreenTech and ClimateTech startups will be available all day for demos and conversation.

10:00

10:10

Opening

Welcome & Opening Remarks

A formal introduction to the day’s agenda and the GreenTech Gathering mission. We’ll kick things off with a warm welcome from our hosts and key insights from our venue and strategic partners.

Speakers

Sam Taylor

10:10

10:20

Opening

Introduction from NEXUS

Join Gareth Scargill, Director of Nexus, University of Leeds, where he will outline the ecosystems’ pivotal role in driving regional innovation. Discover how Nexus connects high-growth businesses with academic expertise and strategic resources to accelerate transformative ideas.

Speakers

Gareth Scargill

10:20

10:30

Opening

Opening Perspective

Clare Townley sets the tone with a thought-provoking poem exploring the intersection of climate, systems, and lived experience. This brief, reflective moment offers a pause for perspective before the agenda shifts toward the complexities of capital, scale, and strategy.

Speakers

Clare Townley

10:30

11:15

Keynote

Keynote: The impact of Technology & Circularity

Prof David Greenfield sets the stage by addressing our urgent climate impact and the necessity of shifting our mindset towards innovative solutions. It serves as a call to action, framing the day’s dialogue around the strategies required to meet today’s environmental challenges.

Speakers

Prof David Greenfield

11:15

11:45

Break

Networking & Comfort break

Grab a coffee, have a comfort break and prepare for the panels.

11:45

12:45

Panel

Panel Session 1: Pre-Seed & Seed for ClimateTech

This session explores the optimal funding mix of grants, angel investment, and early equity required to scale deep tech and hardware from the ground up. Learn how to leverage public funding strategically to build a robust capital roadmap that avoids grant dependency and strengthens your position for future raises.

Speakers

Jonathan Fenton

Sarah Mackintosh

Juan Ramon Candia

Hosted by Danielle Heward

12:45

13:45

Networking

Networking Lunch

Enjoy a light lunch and refreshments in the NEXUS atrium while connecting with fellow attendees. Take this time to explore the Innovator Showcase, where 5–10 local GreenTech and ClimateTech startups remain on hand to demonstrate their technology and discuss their sustainable solutions.

13:45

14:45

Panel

Panel Session 2: Inside the Investor Mindset

This session offers a candid look at what actually secures funding in the climate tech space, featuring insights from investors on how they assess risk, scalability, and unit economics. Discover why impact alone is never enough and learn the red flags to avoid during due diligence to make your business truly investable.

Speakers

Niamh Donovan

Dean Hartley

Hosted by Sam Taylor

14:45

15:45

Panel

Panel Session 3: Financing the Transition

This panel examines how corporations, local authorities, and major investors unlock large-scale capital for climate initiatives. From translating national policy like the Warm Homes Plan into local projects to aligning startups with corporate priorities, we will explore the financial levers, consumer incentives, and funding models that transform high-level strategy into scalable delivery.

Speakers

Zac Curtis

Caroline Jones

Femi Omoniyi

Aaron Francis

Hosted by Sam Taylor

15:45

16:00

Closing

Closing Remarks

A final thank you to our partners and closing thoughts on the day.

16:00

17:00

Networking

Networking Drinks Reception

Join us for a drinks reception to continue the conversation, celebrate the day’s insights, and solidify new connections made throughout the showcase.

Partners supporting the Ecosystem Catalyst

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Event Partners

Previous Attendees

You’ll be in good company

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to have a climate-tech idea to join?

Absolutely not. While we have industry pioneers and change-makers in the room, the goal is knowledge sharing and collaboration, not a hard sell. Most conversations start with a simple "What are you working on?" or "What brought you here tonight?"

How structured are the events?

We find that the best connections happen when there’s room to breathe. Our events are a blend of open networking, speaker and panel slots. We make sure to allow you plenty of time to listen and learn, and even more time to follow up with people afterward over a drink.

I’m coming alone and don’t know anyone. Will it be awkward?

Honestly? Most people feel this way. But the GreenTech community is famously open. We purposely keep the environment quite relaxed so you can join conversations naturally. If you’re feeling stuck, find one of our hosts. We love playing as they're always open to chat throughout the event.

Is it okay to just listen?

Yes. You don't have to be a social butterfly. If you want to come, grab a drink and just listen to the speakers without talking to twenty different people, that is 100% allowed. You engage on your own terms.

Is there a dress code for the events?

Not at all. We describe the gathering as "relaxed and informal" for a reason. You’ll see a mix of everything from hoodies and trainers to business casual. Wear whatever makes you feel most comfortable and ready to chat. People will be more interested in your ideas than your outfit.

What happens when I first walk in?

You’ll be greeted by one of our team who will make you feel at ease. There's no pressure to go and dive straight into a group of people. Grab a drink and some nibbles, take a breath and ease into the room. We aim to make the first five minutes the easiest part of our events.

What if I’m new to GreenTech or just curious?

You are exactly who should be here. Our community thrives on fresh insights and vibrant perspectives. Whether you’re an expert or just starting your sustainability journey, your voice is welcome. We’re all here to learn from each other.

What if I’m not a tech person?

Don't let the name "GreenTech" intimidate you. We aren't just a room of developers and engineers. We need academics, creatives, marketers, and local business owners to make this work. If you care about the planet and your community, you speak the language.

What’s the food situation?

We provide free drinks and nibbles to keep everyone fuelled. It’s usually light bites, enough to keep you going, but not a full sit-down meal. If you have specific dietary requirements, feel free to let us know ahead of time.