High-Tech Grunderfonds

High-Tech Gründerfonds Management GmbH, established in 2005 and based in Bonn, Germany, is a venture capital firm that specializes in early-stage investments in high-tech startups across various sectors, including information and communication technology, software, healthcare, and life sciences. The firm focuses on companies that are less than one year old and have a turnover of less than €10 million. High-Tech Gründerfonds typically invests between €0.5 million and €3 million, acquiring a minority stake of up to 25% in its portfolio companies. The firm often acts as the lead investor and provides follow-on financing, having facilitated over €2 billion in additional funding from external investors. With a commitment to nurturing innovation, it has supported the development of more than 500 startups and has successfully exited over 100 investments. The firm’s backing includes participation from various public and private entities, reflecting its role as a key player in the German startup ecosystem.

Marie Asano

Investment Manager

Michael Brandkamp Ph.D

Managing Director

Tobias Faupel

Principal

Bernd Georgen

Partner

Gregor Haidl

Investor

Ansgar Kirchheim

Partner

Kristin Müller

Investment Manager

Claudia Raber

Partner Relationship Management

Michael Strzyz

Investment Manager

Past deals in Electric Grid

Sunvigo

Venture Round in 2022
Sunvigo provides you with cheap solar power from your roof and real green power from the grid.

Instagrid

Series B in 2022
Instagrid GmbH, founded in 2018 and based in Stuttgart, Germany, specializes in the manufacture of portable battery storage solutions. The company develops software-defined battery systems designed to provide advanced portable power supplies. Its products cater to various sectors, including construction, event technology, professional landscaping, garden and tree care, and public services, addressing the need for reliable and efficient power sources in diverse applications.

Sunvigo

Venture Round in 2021
Sunvigo provides you with cheap solar power from your roof and real green power from the grid.

Sunvigo

Seed Round in 2021
Sunvigo provides you with cheap solar power from your roof and real green power from the grid.

Gilytics

Seed Round in 2020
Gilytics AG specializes in advanced computing and 3D visualization technology for the complex planning of transportation and energy infrastructures. Founded in 2017 and based in Zurich, Switzerland, the company offers an interactive software package that aids in the management and planning of distributed energy and linear infrastructures. Its solutions cater to various sectors, including transportation networks, oil and gas pipelines, wind and solar energy projects, and utilities. Gilytics' software enhances the planning process by providing automated services for identifying optimal routes for new transmission lines, while also facilitating improved interactions with authorities and communities through its visualization capabilities.

ZE Energy

Seed Round in 2020
ZE Energy is provides a hybrid solar plant solution featuring energy storage capabilities and photovoltaics. Equipped with a battery that stores the solar energy generated throughout the day, its power plants boast the advantages of solar power in terms of production costs, integration to the environment and power grid, as well as the generation of zero CO2 emissions.

Instagrid

Series A in 2020
Instagrid GmbH, founded in 2018 and based in Stuttgart, Germany, specializes in the manufacture of portable battery storage solutions. The company develops software-defined battery systems designed to provide advanced portable power supplies. Its products cater to various sectors, including construction, event technology, professional landscaping, garden and tree care, and public services, addressing the need for reliable and efficient power sources in diverse applications.

envelio

Series A in 2019
Envelio GmbH, founded in 2017 and based in Cologne, Germany, specializes in developing software and algorithms for energy networks. Its primary offering is the Intelligent Grid Platform (IGP), a modular software system designed to assist distribution grid operators in digitizing and automating grid planning and operation processes. The IGP includes applications for data quality, which connects isolated data systems to identify and correct errors, as well as planning applications that automate grid planning tasks. Additionally, IGP operation applications provide recommendations for managing congestion in the grid during potential bottlenecks. By leveraging artificial intelligence and mathematical optimization, Envelio supports the integration of numerous distributed energy resources and smart meter data, addressing the challenges posed by the evolving energy landscape.

gridscale

Series A in 2019
gridscale GmbH is a cloud computing provider based in Bedburg, Germany, specializing in Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) solutions for both businesses and individual developers. Founded in 2014, the company offers a highly automated platform that allows users to manage cloud servers and customize infrastructure resources according to their specific needs. Their services include virtual cloud servers, storage, network resources, and complementary Platform as a Service (PaaS) components such as load balancers and firewalls. gridscale’s architecture is designed to integrate seamlessly into existing corporate systems, enabling clients to focus on their core business activities without the complexities of managing cloud infrastructure. This approach is particularly valuable in an era of increasing data complexity and volume.

Instagrid

Seed Round in 2019
Instagrid GmbH, founded in 2018 and based in Stuttgart, Germany, specializes in the manufacture of portable battery storage solutions. The company develops software-defined battery systems designed to provide advanced portable power supplies. Its products cater to various sectors, including construction, event technology, professional landscaping, garden and tree care, and public services, addressing the need for reliable and efficient power sources in diverse applications.

Wirelane

Series A in 2018
Wirelane is a full service provider in the field of electric mobility. The company is currently active in 5 countries (D, F, S, NL, CH) and has experience with large industrial customers (VW, Vattenfall, Bouygues and others). In addition to their software solutions, they also offer specially developed charging stations that set standards through the use of advanced technology such as radar sensors and tap payment. The company works with customers from all industry sectors to develop solutions for tomorrow’s mobility needs. Wirelane is one of Europe’s leading specialist providers of hardware, software and app solutions.

envelio

Seed Round in 2018
Envelio GmbH, founded in 2017 and based in Cologne, Germany, specializes in developing software and algorithms for energy networks. Its primary offering is the Intelligent Grid Platform (IGP), a modular software system designed to assist distribution grid operators in digitizing and automating grid planning and operation processes. The IGP includes applications for data quality, which connects isolated data systems to identify and correct errors, as well as planning applications that automate grid planning tasks. Additionally, IGP operation applications provide recommendations for managing congestion in the grid during potential bottlenecks. By leveraging artificial intelligence and mathematical optimization, Envelio supports the integration of numerous distributed energy resources and smart meter data, addressing the challenges posed by the evolving energy landscape.

node.energy

Venture Round in 2017
node.energy GmbH is a software-as-a-service company that specializes in the optimization of local energy micro grids for commercial and industrial real estate. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, node.energy provides the opti.node application, which enables businesses with on-site power generation to effectively reduce energy costs and minimize their carbon dioxide emissions. The company's solutions support energy managers and metering service providers by significantly reducing administrative burdens and ensuring compliance with current regulations. Additionally, node.energy offers features such as electricity tax relief analysis and automated reporting, alongside planning and advisory services, to facilitate companies' energy transitions and enhance their operational efficiency.

gridscale

Seed Round in 2016
gridscale GmbH is a cloud computing provider based in Bedburg, Germany, specializing in Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) solutions for both businesses and individual developers. Founded in 2014, the company offers a highly automated platform that allows users to manage cloud servers and customize infrastructure resources according to their specific needs. Their services include virtual cloud servers, storage, network resources, and complementary Platform as a Service (PaaS) components such as load balancers and firewalls. gridscale’s architecture is designed to integrate seamlessly into existing corporate systems, enabling clients to focus on their core business activities without the complexities of managing cloud infrastructure. This approach is particularly valuable in an era of increasing data complexity and volume.

Solandeo

Seed Round in 2015
Solandeo GmbH, founded in 2011 and based in Berlin, Germany, specializes in manufacturing and marketing metering and power management solutions tailored for renewable energy plants. The company offers cost-effective and innovative services to green electricity traders and plant operators, focusing on energy management, measurement data provision in real time, data logging, and oversight of measured installations. Solandeo's solutions encompass smart metering, remote control technology, and technical upgrades for wind, solar, and biomethane heating plants, facilitating efficient operation and integration into the green electric power market.

Chargepartner GmbH

Seed Round in 2014
Chargepartner GmbH is a company based in Walldorf, Germany, specializing in e-mobility solutions. It operates electric vehicle charging installations across German-speaking countries, offering comprehensive services that include planning, rollout, operation, and billing of charging infrastructure. The company provides a Software-as-a-Service platform that allows clients, such as affiliates and fleet operators, to manage their own charging stations. Key products include the ChargeMaster-Module, which controls charging sessions, and the ElectroMobility-Module, a web-based interface for users. Additionally, Chargepartner offers ChargeCall, a phone access service to activate charging stations without RFID technology. The company also provides manufacturer-independent consulting, project support, and various infrastructure services to enhance the operation of electric vehicle charging stations.

ICE Gateway GmbH

Seed Round in 2014
ICE Gateway GmbH, based in Berlin, Germany, specializes in the development of LED systems, sensors, and cloud-based services tailored for lighting applications. The company focuses on optimizing outdoor lighting through its wireless infrastructure, which enhances the functionality of smart cities by offering services for both pedestrians and connected devices. Its cloud-based platform allows for the remote control and maintenance of lighting systems, providing capabilities such as environmental data measurement, object counting, and traffic flow analysis. Additionally, ICE Gateway offers consulting services and develops both hardware and software for its wireless outdoor infrastructure. The company's solutions encompass various sectors, including traffic, marketing, security, logistics, parking, and tourism, alongside providing LED retrofits and advanced data analytics. Founded in 2013, ICE Gateway GmbH integrates efficient LED lamps with proprietary communication technology to support a broad range of applications.

Kiwigrid

Venture Round in 2013
Wir verbinden Erzeuger, Verbraucher, Speicher, Mobilität und das Netz in Microgrids: Kiwigrid-Lösungen unterstützen alle gängigen Energieanlagen. Wir machen Energie transparent: Kiwigrid-Produkte sind schnell zu installieren, zeigen sofort sämtliche Energieströme in verschiedenen zeitlichen Dimensionen (Tag, Monat, Jahr) an und errechnen Kilowattstunden und Euro-Umsatz. Wir monitoren Ihre Geräte und Anlagen: Mit Kiwigrid haben Sie alle Anlagen, deren Zustand sowie vorgefallene Ereignisse stets im Blick. Wir automatisieren und optimieren Stromerzeugung und Verbrauch: Unsere nachladbaren Energy-Apps optimieren Ihren Energiehaushalt. 
Mit Kiwigrid sparen Sie bares Geld.

Clean Mobile

Series A in 2011
Clean Mobile AG was founded in 2006 by the innovative minds of Bernhard Gutmann, Werner Gruber and Rudi Höbel in Munich, Germany. In a few short years the company has evolved into the dynamic leader of electrical drive train technologies for LEVs. Their team of more than 20 highly skilled employees has developed a highly innovative patented electrical drive train system that revolutionizes the Light Electric Vehicle Industry (LEV) worldwide.

Entelios AG

Series A in 2011
Entelios provides its clients with demand response and virtual power plant solutions. It was founded in 2010 and was acquired by EnerNOC in 2014.

enexion GmbH

Seed Round in 2009
Enexion GmbH, founded in 2008 and based in Kronberg, Germany, specializes in assisting enterprises with energy procurement in the European market. The company focuses on minimizing costs and risks associated with energy purchases and offers comprehensive energy cost management services. Its offerings include energy efficiency and management, grid cost regulation, risk management, and procurement strategies. Enexion employs a holistic approach known as Enexion 360°, which encompasses energy markets, direct wholesale procurement, regulatory frameworks, and tailored efficiency technologies. The company serves various sectors, including liberalization, electricity, gas, and carbon markets, positioning itself as a full-service provider for industrial clients seeking optimized energy solutions.

enymotion

Venture Round in 2008
enymotion develops and produces ultra-quiet and zero-emission energy sources for the unrestricted mobile deployment of electrical consumer devices for caravans and boats.

Clean Mobile

Series A in 2008
Clean Mobile AG was founded in 2006 by the innovative minds of Bernhard Gutmann, Werner Gruber and Rudi Höbel in Munich, Germany. In a few short years the company has evolved into the dynamic leader of electrical drive train technologies for LEVs. Their team of more than 20 highly skilled employees has developed a highly innovative patented electrical drive train system that revolutionizes the Light Electric Vehicle Industry (LEV) worldwide.