Zählerfreunde specializes in digital solutions for optimizing energy management. The software they developed enables households and businesses to analyze their energy consumption in real time, thus reducing energy costs and CO2 emissions. This offering is particularly relevant in a market where around 16 million smart meters will need to be installed in Germany alone by 2032. Since many energy suppliers don't yet have the technical infrastructure to exploit the full potential of these meters, the Munich-based startup aims to remedy this situation with its white-label solution.
New markets in focus
Following pre-seed financing in 2022, Zählerfreunde has once again won over investors. The now completed seed financing brought the startup an undisclosed seven-figure sum. In addition to existing investors Enpulse and Capacura, Salzburg AG and Stadtwerke Herne are also contributing to the investment. Various business angels are also participating in the round. The fresh capital is intended to the company help further develop its energy management solution and open up new markets in Europe. Particular attention will be paid to the Austrian market.
Tobias Keussen, CEO of Zählerfreunde, explains:
"This capital injection will enable us to achieve further important milestones, as we need new developers and sales staff for this. Our white-label solution will receive even more new features so that it can be seamlessly integrated with the systems of energy suppliers, tenant electricity companies, and metering point operators. Dashboards for private households and businesses will be even clearer and more transparent than they already are. We are also expanding the intelligent controls with an AI solution so that our customers only use electricity when it is cheapest."
The development of Zählerfreunde so far has made investors optimistic. Florian Fichter, Managing Director of Enpulse:
"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 the need for energy suppliers to catch up is great. Austria alone will install six million smart meters by the end of 2024. Some EU countries have already achieved 100 percent coverage – and experience has shown that they always require additional software and services to achieve this."
“The development of Zählerfreunde convinces us”
And business angels Erich Wex added:
"Over the past two years, Zählerfreunde has proven that they are fully capable of securing ever-increasing market share. The white-label software solution is now used by more than 20 energy companies. A new product has also been developed specifically for SMEs. The startup is now expanding into Austria and Switzerland—and into other EU countries next year. I want to be a reliable pioneer in all these promising steps."
With Salzbug AG and Stadtwerke Herne, Zählerfreunde has not only found new investors, but also customers and partners. Both are looking forward to the upcoming collaboration, as Michael Baminger, CEO of Salzburg AG, suggests:
"Decarbonization, customer focus, and continuous innovation are three core values of Salzburg AG. The investment in Zählerfreunde GmbH helps us accelerate 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. It is therefore a particular pleasure for us to support them in their entry into the Austrian market."
And Ulrich Koch, Board Member of Stadtwerke Herne, says:
"We are convinced that the energy transition will only work if it is implemented locally. The innovative software solution of the Zählerfreunde makes every household and every local business an active part of the energy transition. And thanks to the startup dynamic, together we ensure the necessary pace."
