Accelerating Net Zero: A Conversation with Payaca's CTO, Matt Bessey

Podcast Episode

Matt Franklin, CEO of Payaca, converses with newly appointed Chief Technology Officer Matt Bessey about software's pivotal role in scaling low-carbon technology installations.

Topics covered

Matt Bessey's journey from Silicon Valley to clean tech
Personal sustainability actions backed by data
The ENA API integration and what it means for installers
Payaca's team culture and values

Matt Bessey's background

Bessey studied computer science and initially pursued game development before shifting to web development. His career progressed through the assisted living sector in the US, cybersecurity training, and eventually into green technology.

Silicon Valley experience (2014)

Bessey participated in an internship program placing UK computer science graduates at Silicon Valley startups.

It's a 20-plus mile highway featuring major tech campuses rather than concentrated urban clusters like London's Silicon Roundabout.

Transition to UK and green tech

After returning to the UK for personal reasons, Bessey worked at Immersive Labs in cybersecurity training. He pursued a career break to focus on net zero technology, eventually discovering Carbon13's startup incubator program before joining Payaca.

Personal sustainability actions

Bessey references data-driven sources for behavioral change, citing "Food Without the Hot Air" and Hannah Ritchie's research.

Key insights on food choices

Local food myth — Transportation impact often less significant than assumed
Protein choices — Beef and dairy carry highest carbon footprint; chicken represents efficient alternative
Concentrated products — Cheese multiplies milk's impact; dark chocolate and coffee surprisingly high-impact per gram

ENA API integration

Payaca recently integrated with the Energy Networks Association's API, automating grid connection compliance applications for low-carbon technology installations.

Before

• Manual paper applications
• Extended approval timelines
• No progress visibility
• Manual data entry

After

• Pre-populated customer data
• Automatic progress saving
• Live status updates
• Automated image validation

2 weeks

ENA integration development time

Compared to quarter-long projects at larger organisations

Scheduling optimisation opportunities

Future development includes machine learning-driven routing optimisation using:

Pipeline project information
Customer location data
Historical project duration analytics
Variable factors (material delivery, skill requirements, availability)

Team culture and values

Payaca's three core values

Taking Action — Empowered decision-making on reversible choices
Transparency — Clear documentation enabling seamless work continuation
Simplicity — Challenging unnecessarily complex solutions across UX, code, and business logic

Working in cybersecurity training, you're pretty far removed from actual impact feedback. Here, you see the results directly.

— Matt Bessey

Growth and scale impact

The small six-person team achieves rapid iteration. The team prioritises customer feedback loops, working directly with installers like Vito Energy rather than through intermediary roles.

Industry focus

Payaca targets businesses installing heat pumps, solar panels, battery storage, and EV chargers — technologies identified in the International Energy Agency's Net Zero by 2050 roadmap.

Resources referenced

IEA Net Zero by 2050 Report
VitoEnergy
Energy Networks Association (ENA)
David MacKay's "Sustainable Energy – Without the Hot Air"
Hannah Ritchie's research and publications
Carbon13 Venture Builder Programme