Cologne-based Einklang has secured €2.2 million in funding to tackle high electricity prices for Germany’s mid-sized companies (SMEs). The round was led by Vireo Ventures, with participation from SI Ventures and Saxovent, as the startup scales its “Energy-as-a-Service” model.
The big picture: While heavy industry often receives regulatory relief, SMEs remain exposed to extreme price volatility and high grid fees. Einklang combines battery storage, intelligent control systems, and flexible tariffs into a single platform, allowing industrial sites to automatically consume power when renewable generation is high and prices are low.
How it works:
- Zero Upfront Cost: Provides integrated storage and software without requiring capital expenditure from the customer.
- Peak Shaving: Uses algorithmic energy trading to reduce consumption peaks and lower associated grid charges.
- Rapid Deployment: Implementation at manufacturing and industrial sites is typically completed within three months.
The catch: Einklang’s “Energy-as-a-Service” model puts the burden of hardware performance and market volatility entirely on the startup’s balance sheet. While similar to virtual power plants in its goal, Einklang must manage the physical degradation of battery assets across hundreds of disparate SME sites. If the algorithmic trading fail to accurately predict consumption peaks or price shifts, the narrow margins of the German energy market could quickly turn these long-term contracts into liabilities. Furthermore, as established utilities launch their own “smart” industrial packages, Einklang must prove its independent platform offers superior ROI without the safety net of a legacy utility infrastructure.
Key Details
- Funding: €2.2M (Seed)
- Lead: Vireo Ventures
- CEO: Lucas Jonas
- Sector: Energy / Sustainability
