The Story of Software
Software is changing the world in many powerful ways. This podcast aims to understand the impact of software from an evolutionary perspective - what came before, what is now and what will be in the future. The Story of Software is a bi-weekly podcast looking at the people and technology that have transformed our world. It is hosted by Ricky Hill, Commercial Director at Zartis.
The Story of Software
S04E37 Cleantech Creators: Chris Bernkopf
Chris Bernkopf, CEO of Podero, shares how they help utilities optimise energy use and offers advice on growing in the cleantech sector.
The Guest:
In this episode, we are joined by Chris Bernkopf, Co-Founder and CEO of the Austrian energy flexibility startup, Podero. With a background that spans physics, edtech, and electric mobility, and experience at CERN and Y Combinator, Chris brings a rare mix of scientific insight and entrepreneurial drive to the clean energy sector. Under his leadership, Podero develops software that helps utilities optimise device control, trade energy more efficiently, and reduce costs and emissions.
Chris shares how the rise of renewables is transforming the way we consume and manage power, and why this shift demands smarter, more adaptive systems. He reflects on his journey from physics and Y Combinator to tackling one of the biggest challenges in climate tech, discussing how technology, markets, and user behaviour are converging to accelerate the clean energy transition. The conversation delves into Europe’s evolving energy landscape, the business and climate benefits of flexibility, and what it takes to build resilient solutions in a sector shaped by regulation and rapid change.
Some highlights of this episode include:
- The shift in energy flexibility focus
- Podero's three-part business model
- The "Positive Flywheel" of decarbonisation
- Building resilient solutions in a sector shaped by regulation and rapid change
- Advice on overcoming sector overwhelm
Listen to the Story of Software on:
Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Deezer, & any other podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis, a software services company. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: podcast@zartis.com