Squid

Problem and Solution Report

Squid positions itself as “AI‑powered grid planning in your browser” and a “browser‑native workspace for real network models, projects and policy – built so everyone can understand the grid.” The core thesis is that better decisions come from a single, unified, trusted network model used across teams. In today’s grid‑planning environment, assumptions and results are often fragmented across spreadsheets and static reports, slowing electrification projects and complicating transparency and collaboration between planning and operations teams.

Squid’s approach is to let users model the network, test the stress, and unlock progress. Practically, this means building and maintaining a single network model that can power consistent planning studies, scenario analysis, and collaboration. The “AI‑powered” aspect suggests leveraging data integration and modern ML to keep models current and surface insights quickly. Squid highlights credibility by noting prior experience across National Grid, Octopus Energy, and AWS, and cites being “Trusted by” National Grid and Octopus Energy, signaling early traction with major utility and energy players.

In sum, Squid aims to streamline grid planning by replacing fragmented tooling with a collaborative, browser‑native system that maintains a unified model and makes assumptions and results visible across stakeholders. This should accelerate interconnection studies, grid upgrades, and broader electrification project planning by improving speed, consistency, and transparency.

Market and Competitors Report

The grid‑planning/analysis market is anchored by long‑standing incumbents offering deep simulation engines and extensive module libraries:

• Siemens PSS® suite (PSS®E for transmission and PSS®SINCAL for distribution/industrial) supports end‑to‑end workflows for planning, operations studies, and protection coordination, with modules for power flow, short‑circuit, harmonics, stability, contingency analyses, hosting capacity, and multi‑user model management.
• DIgSILENT PowerFactory similarly covers generation, transmission, distribution, and industrial grids with a broad library of models and strong data‑management/versioning capabilities.
• PowerWorld Simulator is a widely used interactive simulator focused on high‑voltage power‑systems operations analysis.

Open‑source and newer cloud/SaaS entrants include:

• OpenDSS (EPRI) – an open‑source distribution system simulator oriented around DER integration and grid modernization, featuring quasi‑static time‑series (QSTS) analysis.
• Camus Energy – a cloud‑native grid orchestration and analytics platform for utilities and developers, emphasizing data integration, AI‑driven dynamic grid models, and applications such as flexible interconnections, DERMS, and proactive planning.

Competitive positioning: Squid’s advantages likely revolve around its browser‑native architecture, unified network model for collaboration, and AI‑enhanced usability and speed, contrasted with the heavier, often desktop‑centric incumbents and fragmented workflows. Potential disadvantages include incumbents’ deep legacy model libraries, established procurement footprints, and extensive validation histories.

Market trends favor solutions that bridge planning and operations, support rapid interconnection studies, and provide accessible, collaborative interfaces—areas aligned with Squid’s positioning. Early trust signals from National Grid and Octopus Energy suggest fit with both utility and modern energy players.

Overall, the market is sizable and growing, with legacy vendors holding large installed bases while newer SaaS players begin to capture utility interest for faster, more flexible planning workflows.

Founders and Background Report

Squid was founded by Conor Jones (CEO) and George Kolokotronis (CTO). According to Y Combinator’s company profile, Jones previously worked at Octopus Energy, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and National Grid, while Kolokotronis worked at Octopus Energy and Amazon Web Services (AWS) and studied at Cambridge; YC also notes he is a second‑time founder.

Additional public material fills out the picture. Kolokotronis’s personal site lists prior roles as Head of Technology and Senior Software Engineer at Octopus Energy, AI/Data GTM roles at AWS, and co‑founder/CTO of a prior startup, Voltquant. He holds an MPhil in Engineering from the University of Cambridge and a BEng in Engineering from Loughborough University.

Public posts linked from Conor Jones’s LinkedIn indicate he began his career at National Grid on the Engineering Training Programme as a Power System Engineer, aligning with YC’s summary of his National Grid, BCG, and Octopus Energy background.

Taken together, Jones brings utility‑side power‑systems grounding, strategy experience, and energy‑tech operating experience, while Kolokotronis brings engineering leadership at a leading energy‑tech company (Octopus), cloud/AI commercialization (AWS), and prior founder experience. The team is based between London and San Francisco, and Squid is a YC W26 company.