Berlin-based autarc, an energy startup that claims to build Germany’s leading software provider for planning heat pump projects, has raised a single-digit million amount in a pre-seed funding round.
Investors include better ventures, PT1 – PropTech1 Ventures, and notable business angels like C1 founder Christian Vollmann, Lieferando founder Kai Hansen, GridX founders David Balensiefen and Andreas Booke, realxdata founder Titus Albrecht, zenhomes founder Jannes Fischer, and Reachbird founder Philipp Martin.
Tina Dreimann, founder and MD of better ventures says, “autarc has a key role to play in accelerating the rollout of heat pumps, especially given the German market’s 59 per cent growth in 2022 and its expected potential of €29B by 2030.”
“With an operating system that offers clear installation steps and fast data collection, is DIN-compliant and includes a customer portal to increase efficiency for all stakeholders, the autarc team combines technical expertise and market understanding to develop effective and user-friendly solutions. We are proud to support autarc in this growing market.”
What does autarc offer?
Founded in 2023, autarc is developing a SaaS solution, serving as an operating system for heating contractors to expedite the shift to fossil-free heating in Europe.
Autarc was founded by Etienne-Noel Krause, leveraging his expertise from extra-occupational studies in heating engineering, and Thies Hansen, who brings extensive experience from roles at Trade Republic, Partech, and Hamburg Süd.
Currently, installers require 3-4 times more time to prepare initial quotations for heat pump installations compared to gas or oil heating systems. Efficiently and legally planning a heat pump system demands 30 times more data, with almost half of the working time dedicated to administrative tasks.
autarc addresses these challenges by leveraging LiDAR scans and artificial intelligence, accelerating the necessary calculations for installations and enhancing overall efficiency in the process.
The company claims that its software streamlines the planning and installation of heat pumps, resulting in time savings of up to 50 per cent.
Capital utilisation
The funds will help Autarc accelerate building sector decarbonisation using its planning software, aiming to install one million heat pumps by 2030. The funding will also support team expansion and European market growth.
Autarc claims to address Europe’s heating challenges by developing software that helps heating engineers work more efficiently.
Focusing on transitioning from traditional oil and gas to modern heat pumps, the startup promotes sustainable energy and supports the growth of new businesses in the sector, offering a valuable solution for both environmental and workforce concerns.
Etienne-Noel Krause, co-founder and CEO of autarc says, “Our vision is ambitious, but clearly defined: We want to use our software to plan over one million systems by 2030 and thus become a key player in accelerated decarbonisation.”
“We are convinced that this path will not only significantly reduce environmental pollution, but also raise energy efficiency to a new level.”
Brief about the investors
PT1 – PropTech1 Ventures is an independent early-stage VC platform that invests in and supports “Futurebuilders”, innovative entrepreneurs tackling challenges in Europe related to resource scarcity, affordable housing, and skilled labor.
better ventures is an angel club for impact-driven startups, founded by Tina Dreimann, Cedric Duvinage, and Christoph Behn. With over 70 entrepreneurs as members, the club aims to support ambitious founders with capital, a network, and expertise to create sustainable business models.