Munich-based cleantech startup Zählerfreunde has successfully raised a seven-figure investment during its latest seed funding round. The company, known for its digital energy management solutions, plans to use this investment to expand its market presence and enhance its product offerings. The funding round saw the participation of new investors Salzburg AG and Stadtwerke Herne, alongside existing backers such as Enpulse, Erich Wex, and capacura. This marks a significant step forward for Zählerfreunde, which aims to revolutionize the energy sector by providing advanced solutions for energy efficiency and CO2 emission reduction.
Previously, Zählerfreunde conducted a pre-seed round in 2022, attracting interest from early investors. The company’s focus on digital energy management has been consistent, drawing in more energy suppliers who are keen on leveraging smart meter technology. During its growth period, Zählerfreunde introduced a white-label software solution now used by over 20 energy companies. In comparison, the new seed funding aims to further extend its services across Europe, particularly in Austria, where the market for smart meters is rapidly developing. This expansion strategy aligns with the company’s goal to address the technological gaps faced by energy suppliers in utilizing smart meters effectively.
Energy and building sectors contribute to around 46% of CO2 emissions in Germany. A new law mandates the use of smart meters for larger households and businesses to improve grid efficiency. However, consumers often perceive little value for the added cost. Zählerfreunde aims to change this by offering digital energy management solutions. Their software enables users to visualize, analyze, and optimize their energy consumption, thereby reducing energy costs and emissions.
New Investment and Strategic Goals
Michael Baminger, CEO of Salzburg AG, stated, “Decarbonisation, customer focus and constant innovation are three core values of Salzburg AG.” He added, “The investment in Zählerfreunde helps us to push our innovation strategy, strengthen our position as a provider of digital energy management systems and create added energy efficiency value for our customers – together with Zählerfreunde.”
The seed funding will allow Zählerfreunde to strengthen its position in the digital energy management market. The company plans to expand its operations to Austria, Switzerland, and other EU countries by next year.
Innovative Solutions and Market Expansion
Tobias Keussen, CEO of Zählerfreunde, said, “This capital injection enables us to achieve further important milestones because for this, we need new developers and sales staff.”
The company will use the new funds to hire additional developers and sales personnel to enhance its white-label solutions further. This will allow seamless integration with energy suppliers, tenant electricity companies, and metering point operators. Zählerfreunde also plans to improve its dashboards for better transparency and introduce AI solutions to optimize electricity usage based on cost.
Germany anticipates around 16 million mandatory smart meters by 2032, with over one million units added annually. Many energy suppliers struggle with leveraging these meters effectively due to technological challenges. Zählerfreunde’s B2B and white-label SaaS solutions aim to bridge this gap. By integrating existing customers and attracting new ones, Zählerfreunde aims to support around 1,000 energy suppliers in Germany. Additionally, the company sees significant potential in the Austrian market, where the smart meter rollout is advanced but lacks adequate software solutions.
Florian Fichter, MD of Enpulse, noted, “The development of Zählerfreunde since the pre-seed financing at the end of 2022 has convinced us to continue investing in the startup. The market potential in Germany and Europe is promising and there is a lot of catching up to do among energy suppliers.”
The new investment will enable Zählerfreunde to enhance its product offerings and expand its market reach. The company’s innovative solutions are expected to address significant gaps in the energy sector, particularly in optimizing smart meter usage. This expansion is timely as the EU pushes for more sustainable energy solutions, providing Zählerfreunde with ample opportunities to grow and contribute to the sector’s evolution.
