Enass Abo-Hammed is the co-founder and CEO of H2GO Power. H2GO Power is a pioneering cleantech company develop and deliver hydrogen energy storage technology for zero-emission, safe and reliable power supply, with a range of commercial applications.
Who are you?
My name is Enass Abo-Hamed, an entrepreneur running an engineering company. H2GO Power is an energy storage company that develops and delivers clean energy solutions for clean, reliable and safe power for all.
What inspired you to create H2GO Power?
The spark that ignited my passion was a trip to Africa where I witnessed first-hand, the shortage of electricity and how people live without control over their power switch. Engineering is vital for solving problems with dimensions like this. It is inspiring to look around and see how the greatest inventions out there are engineering creations that made humans the progressive creatures we are today.
Sell it to us – how does it work?
We build hydrogen storage reactors that can store energy for long periods. Our unique selling point is that we don’t compress hydrogen gas, we convert it to a solid-state form, which makes it safe for long-term storage and safe to use inside your home.
We use hydrogen because it is a carbon-free energy carrier (if generated from renewables). This means that it is a clean form of energy and does not add to carbon emissions that are already threatening our climate.
What makes working at H2GO Power so worthwhile?
H2GO Power’s mission is precisely what makes it so worthwhile. It’s the drive to use engineering as the tool to solve problems that are affecting more than 1 billion people - energy poverty, climate change and air pollution.
Conversely, what is the most challenging thing about working at H2GO and how have you managed to overcome this?
The long development cycle of a product with the constraints of a small team, small budgets and rising competition. This has required a lot of patience and perseverance and I have had to learn to manage my own expectations.
What’s the top piece of advice you would give to a budding engineering entrepreneur?
Hang in there when it gets hard and prepare for the next challenge when it gets easy. Always be on top of your game by thinking about what is coming next.
What impact has the Enterprise Fellowships programme had on your business? What are the most important lessons you’ve learnt?
This programme facilitated my move to Imperial College London to work with one of the best influencers in the field, who also became my mentor. This has been an invaluable experience and without it the business would not have been the same. I learnt lessons about technology building as well as how to influence people, motivate a team and grow a business that moves from academia into a commercial environment.
The programme for me came at a time where I needed it the most, not only in terms of financial support but also the opportunity to join a community of entrepreneurs who are also working on early stage businesses. It is very comforting to know that we are all experiencing the same challenges and that there is always something to share and learn from my fellow Hub Members.
And finally, if you received an infinite sum of cash, what’s the first thing you would do for your business?
Hire more people!
Quick fire
Who is your role model? Angela Merkel
What is your secret talent? I am good at putting building blocks together, physically and metaphorically
What’s your guilty pleasure? Chocolate, of course!
When I’m not working at H2Go, I am… Walking in Holland park, doing Reformer Pilates or cooking
What makes you happiest in business? The impact it has on people
Do you have any business regrets? Not that I can immediately think of
If I could have a superpower, it would be… it would probably be around deploying capital in the right places
If you could switch places with any famous entrepreneur, who would it be? Good question! Susan Wojcicki (CEO of YouTube).
The tech that I could not live without is… obviously, my iPhone
Ever told a white lie to get what you wanted in business? Hard to think about something that I define as a lie
Which fellow Hub Member are you most impressed by? There are many impressive members, Catherina Spranger is one them
If you had to choose another sector to work in, what would it be? Energy
And finally, if you could invent a new piece of tech, what would it be and what problem would it solve? It would be about food-tech, not sure yet what.
The Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Hub supports the UK’s brightest technology and engineering entrepreneurs to realise their potential.
We run four programmes for entrepreneurial engineers at different career stages. Each one offers equity-free funding, an extended programme of mentorship and coaching, and a lifetime of support through connection to an exceptional community of engineers and innovators.
The Enterprise Hub focuses on supporting individuals and fostering their potential in the long term, taking nothing in return. This sets us apart from the usual ‘accelerator’ model. The Enterprise Hub’s programmes last between 6 and 12 months, and all programmes give entrepreneurs lifelong access to an unrivalled community of mentors and alumni.
Our goal is to encourage creativity and innovation in engineering for the benefit of all. By fostering lasting, exceptional connections between talent and expertise, we aim to create a virtuous cycle of innovation that can deliver on this ambition.
The Enterprise Hub was formally launched in April 2013. Since then, we have supported over 300 researchers, recent graduates and SME leaders to start up and scale up businesses that can give practical application to their inventions. We’ve awarded over £11 million in grant funding, and our Hub Members have gone on to raise over £1.2 billion in additional funding.