Dr. Stephen Hampson is Co-Founder and CEO of H2CHP, a Durham University spinout pioneering fuel-flexible, free-piston linear generators for clean distributed power generation.

Dr. Hampson earned his PhD in machine learning and robotics from the University of Canterbury and conducted postdoctoral research in modern control theory at the University of Bath.

With over 20 years of experience as both a CEO and investor, Dr. Hampson co-founded and led Powerhouse, an investment company involved in the creation of more than 30 deep-tech university spinout companies, which he guided to a first-of-its-kind listing on the Australian Stock Exchange.

Prior to H2CHP, Dr. Hampson served as Investment Director at Oxford Capital, focusing on early-stage UK technology ventures across fintech, AI, and digital health, and previously held senior roles at Vosper Thornycroft and the University for the Creative Arts.

H2CHP has raised approximately £3.5m in total funding, won the TechX Accelerator Award for Economic Impact, and was selected by Tech Nation as one of 25 leading climate tech startups for its 2026 Climate Programme.