The acclaimed Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC), based in Scotland, has recognized Fernando C. Hernandez as a multi-award-winning technology mentor.
Notably, the NZTC has counted with industry partners via Equinor, bp, Conoco Phillips, ADNOC Group, and Accenture which augments involvement between industry, the NZTC, startups, and mentors. Since 2020, he has guided 15 international startups (dedicating hundreds of hours) through the NZTC’s TechX Clean Energy Accelerator, including startups that achieved XPRIZE acclaim (with one becoming a recipient of the Elon Musk Foundation’s Carbon Removal).
As highlighted in a spotlight feature by the NZTC, Fernando’s mentorship has extended from technology commercialization and global market strategy to securing pilot opportunities, additional funding, and industry recognition.
The NZTC has highlighted specific outcomes, including his work with Aquature, which secured TechX’s Best Performance prize, and Puls8, where his support included strategic discussions and development of its initial commercial proposal ahead of additional funding and a piloting opportunity.
In 2026, HexSeed Technology, a carbon capture and utilization company that he mentored, extends this lineage, transforming captured CO2 into diamond coatings for gallium nitride power electronics for data centers.
HexSeed secured more than £600,000 (equivalent to more than $800,000 U.S. dollars) in early-stage funding led by Carbon13, with participation from NZTC and Vento Ventures, positioning its technology within the AI infrastructure stack, which separately aligns with the AI-Energy-Carbon Management thesis.
Importantly, the NZTC has also entrusted Fernando with the role of being a technology screener and assessor. His feedback has a bearing in influencing which unique startups are accepted into the centre's coveted TechX program, while equally obtaining funding to advance their respective technologies.
After being asked to reflect on the significance of being a multi-award-winning mentor Fernando expressed:
““My professional ambition for this decade and the next one is to continue supporting the NZTC, which strongly fosters innovation, creativity, and technological advancement, and I look forward to making significant contributions to such a distinguished centre.””