Belgian software startup Powernaut has secured €2.4 million in pre-seed funding from Revent and Seedcamp, with participation from Belgian funds Pitchdrive and Syndicate One.
The company will use the funding to accelerate its shift from fossil fuels, build next-generation power plants, and lower consumer costs. The capital will also support product development, device onboarding, team expansion, and growth beyond Belgium.
How does Powenaut address the problem of inefficient energy grids?
Founded by Florentijn Degroote and Serge Morel, Powernaut aims to create a sustainable energy ecosystem through digitalisation. The company’s primary focus is developing solutions like the Virtual Power Plant, which connects renewable energy resources, predicts their behaviour, and corrects portfolio imbalances.
Speaking to TFN, Degroote explains: “I started Powernaut after building a deep understanding of the energy space during my previous career. I realised we don’t need to mine more scarce materials for industrial batteries to keep our grids stable — instead, we can better use what’s already installed, like home batteries, heat pumps, and car chargers.”
Traditionally, large centralised power plants generated electricity for everyone. Millions of decentralised devices—solar panels, batteries, electric vehicles, and heat pumps — generate and consume power locally. The European Commission will need 10 million electric vehicle charging stations by 2030, more than double the current solar panel installations.
Powernaut meets the market need for smart technology solutions that optimise energy management. As the world embraces electrification and renewable energy, systems that enhance grid flexibility, reduce fossil fuel dependence and ensure economic sustainability are becoming essential.
Serge Morel, co-founder and CTO of Powernaut, adds: “Our new decentralised system could save European consumers and businesses over €300 billion annually while cutting millions of tons of CO₂ emissions. Having our investors on board is crucial—they share our mission, provide capital, and bring valuable expertise from backing Europe’s leading unicorns. Their support will help us scale quickly, attract new talent, and achieve our climate goals.”
Behind Powernaut: decentralisation of devices in the energy sector
Powernaut’s software helps energy suppliers manage this transition by optimising millions of decentralised devices. Beyond local energy generation, it ensures these devices integrate effectively with the wider grid, balancing local production with grid demands. This coordination enables energy suppliers to offer cost-effective solutions while eliminating fossil fuel dependence.
Degroote highlights the energy transition challenges: “Navigating this transition is tough, especially with renewables being installed without proper coordination. Unlike traditional power plants, solar panels and wind turbines depend on fluctuating natural conditions, making energy production unpredictable. To add more renewables while keeping costs low, these smart connected devices need efficient management through tailored software and AI technology.”
Powernaut reduces costs from supply-demand mismatches within its portfolio while enabling more competitive supplier contracts.
Decarbonisation takes central stage in 2025
“This investment comes at a perfect time,” says Henrik Grosse Hokamp, partner at Revent. “Powernaut provides the technology needed to support decarbonisation, renewable energy rollout, and decentralisation, ultimately phasing out polluting power sources like gas plants.”
“In 2025, we’ll see innovative customer products entering the market, making capable energy suppliers more competitive,” concludes Degroote. “Additionally, the continued deployment of renewables and battery parks will support society’s electrification and help reach climate goals, but this must be coordinated harmoniously with the grid.”
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