Berlin / London, 8 August 2024: GTF Connect, the international event series run by Europe’s leading sustainable tech event GREENTECH FESTIVAL (GTF), returns to London this September. The event will be held at the city’s legendary venue, Ministry of Sound, on September 4th and 5th, with a theme of ‘Turning crisis into opportunity’; setting the stage for changemakers, business leaders and innovators to connect and learn about greener technologies, approaches and solutions.
GTF Connect will welcome around 600 visitors over the two days with a diverse agenda which focuses on shaping a greener future. Attendees will have the opportunity to listen to an inspiring programme of key notes and panel discussions as well as green start-up pitch sessions.
Nico Rosberg, Sustainability & VC Entrepreneur, Co-Founder GREENTECH FESTIVAL, said: “This year’s GTF Connect infuses opportunity with inspiration; creating space for people and companies to come together and accelerate positive change through innovation. I’m excited for the festival’s return to London, especially given that the UK is helping to lead the way when it comes to sustainability and the Net Zero agenda.”
“GTF added London to the map in 2021, and since then the focus on sustainability has only increased. The festival provides the perfect platform to explore green business solutions and connect with like-minded changemakers about making a positive difference through technology.” he continues.
GTF Connect will kick off on the 4th of September with the prestigious and invite-only GREEN AWARDS, presented by Audi which celebrates the most innovative projects and minds. The ‘green carpet’ will be rolled out to the UK Start-up businesses (nominees: GREYPARROT, POLYMATERIA and CHEESECAKE ENERGY) and changemakers (nominees: CELTIC RENEWABLES, GEN PHOENIX and ZENOBE) who are contributing towards a greener future.
To further recognise sustainable leaders who have taken action to make the world a better place, a lifetime achievement award will also be presented to Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and chair of The Elders – a group founded by Nelson Mandela to help address global challenges. Awards will be presented by GTF’s founding partner, Audi.
In partnership with Vodafone Business, the CONFERENCE will be held on the 5th and be opened by Nico Rosberg. Throughout the day, over 40 speakers including Dale Vince, Founder and CEO, Ecotricity, Julia Pallè (sustainability director at Formula E), Richard Templer (professor of climate innovation at Imperial College London), Klaus Mitchell (Founder & CEO Plant Based News) – and Mary Robinson – will be invited on stage to discuss topics that fall into the event’s sub-themes of sustainable communities, energy for tomorrow and financing change.
One of the key aims of GTF Connect is empower innovation and disruptive sustainable business models – and these principles have been integrated into the agenda. Two Green Startup Slams will take place, where startups will have the opportunity to make their pitch to VCs, corporate leaders and decision-makers. This will be followed by the GREEN INVESTORS CRUNCH, a networking lunch for investors and startups to meet and discuss potential business ventures. Applications for the GREEN INVESTORS CRUNCH close on August 16th.
GTF Connect in London will feature a special session featuring three postgraduate students from the University of Oxford. This initiative is part of a partnership between Nico Rosberg’s nonprofit organisation Rosberg Philanthropies, which support initiatives that help preserve the planet for future generations and Oxford University’s SDG Impact Lab, which bridges academia with industry to advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Marco Voight, co-founder of GTF, commented: “The GREENTECH FESTIVAL is here because we care, and we believe that together we can and must turn crisis into opportunity. Whether that’s ditching outdated business models or finding new approaches to help protect the environment around us, our mission is to inspire and empower the leaders of the green revolution, both now and in the future.”
The GTF Connect series will travel to Singapore in October and Los Angeles in November as an extension of Berlin’s GREENTECH FESTIVAL which welcomed over 14,000 visitors in May this year. Visit the website to get your FREE ticket for GTF Connect London.
