1 The EIC Accelerator Project
EIC Accelerator Program Overview
The European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator program is a key initiative designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly in the DeepTech sector, across Europe. With a focus on high-risk, high-impact innovations, the EIC Accelerator aims to help startups and scale-ups transform their groundbreaking ideas into viable businesses. The program fosters the growth of companies that demonstrate significant potential to create jobs, enhance competitiveness, and drive economic growth within the European Union.
Funding Structure
The funding provided under the EIC Accelerator program is structured into two main components: grants and equity investments.
Purpose and Impact
The EIC Accelerator plays a pivotal role in the European DeepTech and startup ecosystem by not only providing financial resources but also offering mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to a broader community of innovators. By focusing on high-impact technologies, the program encourages the development of solutions that address pressing global challenges, including climate change, healthcare, and digital transformation.
The EIC Accelerator also helps companies attract additional funding from private investors. By demonstrating the credibility and potential of their innovations through EIC support, companies can leverage this backing to secure further investment, thus amplifying their growth trajectory and enhancing their market presence.
Envola GmbH and the Envola Storage Heat Pump
Company Overview
Envola GmbH, based in Germany, is an EIC Accelerator winner recognized for its innovative approach to energy efficiency in heating, cooling, and ventilation systems. The company submitted its Step 2 proposal on March 23, 2022, and successfully advanced through the program to secure funding for its groundbreaking project.
Project Acronym: Envola Storage Heat Pump
The Envola Storage Heat Pump represents a new category of energy-efficient systems that aim to significantly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. This innovative technology integrates multiple functionalities—heating, cooling, and ventilation—into a single, highly efficient unit.
Technology Basics and Background
The Envola Storage Heat Pump utilizes advanced thermodynamic principles and cutting-edge materials to achieve unprecedented levels of energy efficiency. Unlike traditional heating and cooling systems that operate independently, this system leverages a unique combination of thermal storage and heat pump technology.
The heat pump extracts ambient energy from the environment and uses it to provide heating or cooling, depending on the demand. The integration of thermal storage allows the system to store excess energy during off-peak hours, which can be utilized later when demand is higher, effectively balancing energy consumption and maximizing efficiency.
This innovative design not only reduces reliance on fossil fuels but also minimizes greenhouse gas emissions, making it a crucial solution in the fight against climate change. By optimizing energy use and enhancing indoor climate control, the Envola Storage Heat Pump stands to significantly impact energy consumption patterns in residential and commercial settings across Europe.
Conclusion
The EIC Accelerator program serves as a vital catalyst for innovation within the European startup landscape. By providing substantial funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities, it empowers companies like Envola GmbH to pioneer technologies that can transform industries and contribute to a sustainable future. The Envola Storage Heat Pump exemplifies the kind of high-impact innovation that the EIC Accelerator seeks to promote, underscoring the program's commitment to fostering a greener, more efficient economy.
2 The Funding Rounds
Envola GmbH: Financing and Funding Overview Since EIC Accelerator Award
Financing Raised
Envola GmbH, based in Ulm, Germany, received notable financial backing following its success in the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator program. In March 2022, the company secured a €2.2 million grant from the European Innovation Council as part of its EIC Accelerator win.
In November 2024, Envola completed its first equity financing round, raising a double-digit million euro amount as equity capital. This significant investment is earmarked for further technological development and expansion of business activities. The precise amount has not been publicly disclosed but is described as "double-digit million euros," implying an investment between €10 million and €99 million.
Funding Rounds: Timing and Amounts
- March 2022:
- Funding Type: Grant
- Source: European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator
- Amount: €2.2 million
- November 2024:
- Funding Type: Equity financing round (first of this kind for Envola)
- Amount: Double-digit millions of euros (exact figure undisclosed)
Prior to this major equity round, Envola had also utilized convertible loans for earlier-stage funding; however, specific amounts or dates related to these loans have not been detailed publicly.
Investor Information
The November 2024 financing round involved a consortium of well-known financial investors, angel investors, and strategic investors from Germany and Switzerland. Investors named in public sources include Plug and Play Accelerator—an established venture investor with interests across energy technology sectors. A full list of all participating individual or institutional investors remains undisclosed.
KPMG Law provided legal advice to Envola throughout these funding processes—including due diligence and handling the legal structuring for both previous convertible loans and the recent equity raise.
Company Valuations
No explicit company valuation figures have been published for any stage post-EIC grant or after the latest equity funding round.
Exit Events (IPO/Buyouts/Acquisitions)
There are no reported exit events such as an initial public offering (IPO), buyout, or acquisition involving Envola GmbH since receiving its EIC Accelerator award through to April 2025. The company's focus remains on accelerating growth via continued product development in building climate control systems.
Sources
- KPMG Law advises the startup Envola on its first equity financing round
- Envola company information – Dealroom.co
- ENVOLA – Products & Financials – CB Insights
- smart energy – Envola official site
3 The Press Releases
Envola GmbH: Post-EIC Accelerator Innovations in Smart Building TechnologySince securing EIC Accelerator funding (assumed around the March 2022 submission date referenced), Germany-based Envola GmbH has advanced its integrated smart energy systems for buildings, focusing on heating, cooling, ventilation, and hot water preparation. The company’s flagship Envola storage heat pump represents a breakthrough in HVAC efficiency, combining a heat pump with an integrated energy storage system to reduce energy consumption by over 30% for heating and 50% for cooling compared to conventional systems.
Key Developments
- Plug’n Play System: Prefabricated, modular components enable rapid installation and cost savings through standardized building technology.
- Integrated Energy Center: Combines ventilation recovery with heat pump processes to minimize investment costs while maximizing efficiency.
- Remote Maintenance & Support: The Envola customer center provides remote troubleshooting and onsite assistance within 24 hours if needed.
While specific press releases or blog posts directly from envola.eu are not publicly accessible (the website lacks detailed updates), third-party sources like BUILD UP highlight their storage heat pump as a new product category, emphasizing its role in reducing urban overheating and greenhouse gas emissions. Partnerships involve collaboration with certified installers and planners across Germany to deploy their systems at scale.
No explicit mentions of patents or team expansions were found in the available data. Social media accounts (Facebook, LinkedIn) appear active but lack detailed technical or financial updates.
Sources
4 The Technology Advancements
Current Capabilities of Envola GmbH
Envola GmbH, a German technology company, specializes in providing innovative and integrated energy solutions for buildings. The company's technology platform offers heating, cooling, ventilation, and domestic hot water preparation, all designed to be significantly more efficient than traditional systems. This efficiency is achieved through a highly integrated energy center and an all-in-one room air unit, complemented by advanced measurement, control, and regulation technology.
Advancements Since EIC Accelerator Funding
As of March 2022, Envola GmbH received EIC Accelerator funding. Since then, the company has continued to develop its technology, focusing on improving energy efficiency and reducing costs. Envola's system, including its storage heat pump, has been highlighted as a groundbreaking solution for reducing energy consumption in buildings, particularly in heating and cooling applications.
Technology Improvements
The company has emphasized the development of its Envola storage heat pump, which integrates heating, cooling, and ventilation systems to achieve high energy efficiency. This technology allows for significant reductions in energy consumption—more than 50% for cooling and over 30% for heating compared to existing state-of-the-art systems. The integration of an energy storage system enhances efficiency even under unfavorable conditions, making the technology more economical and environmentally friendly.
Market Demonstration
While specific details about market demonstrations, customer deployments, or pilot projects are not readily available, Envola's technology is positioned to impact the European building sector by offering a cost-effective and efficient solution for energy management.
Patents and Publications
Envola GmbH has filed patent applications related to systems for climate control and energy transfer, indicating ongoing innovation and development in their technology. However, there is no public information available on new scientific studies or whitepapers published by the company since receiving the EIC funding.
Conclusion
Envola GmbH continues to innovate in the field of building energy management with its integrated systems and storage heat pump technology. Despite limited public information on specific advancements since the EIC funding, the company's focus on efficiency and sustainability positions it as a key player in the European energy transition.
Sources:
- Envola GmbH
- Sustainability Report 2023/24 - Wieland (Unrelated)
- US Patent Application
- Envola Speicherwärmepumpe
- Envola Storage Heat Pump
- Enviva Reports First-Quarter 2022 Results (Unrelated)
- IPqwery
- Envola Website
- EIC Tech Report (Unrelated)
- U.S. Patent Application for Heat Exchanger Arrangement
5 The Partnerships and Customers
Envola GmbH: Strategic Partnerships and Market Position
Envola GmbH, a German company specializing in innovative energy solutions, received EIC Accelerator funding in March 2022. Since then, the company has focused on developing and integrating energy-efficient systems for heating, cooling, ventilation, and hot water preparation. However, specific details on new partnerships or customers for Envola GmbH are not readily available in the current data.
Overview of Envola GmbH's Technology
Envola GmbH is known for its modular and fully integrated technical solutions, which include a heat pump system with an integrated energy storage unit. This technology allows for efficient heating and cooling even under unfavorable conditions, such as cold outdoor temperatures. The system also facilitates energy recovery from building exhaust air, enhancing both economic and environmental sustainability.
Potential Market Impact
While there is no specific information on new partnerships or customers, Envola's innovative technology positions it well in the market for energy-efficient building solutions. The company's focus on reducing investment and operational costs, combined with its commitment to environmental sustainability, could attract interest from environmentally conscious investors, builders, and property developers.
Technology Advancements and Scaling
The EIC Accelerator funding likely supports Envola GmbH in advancing its technology and scaling its operations. The funding could help the company refine its integrated systems, further reduce costs, and expand its market reach, particularly in Europe. However, without specific partnership details, it is challenging to pinpoint how these relationships would enhance Envola's technological capabilities or market presence.
Future Prospects
As Envola continues to develop its integrated energy systems, potential partnerships could emerge with companies specializing in sustainable construction, renewable energy solutions, or smart building technologies. Such collaborations would not only enhance Envola's technological offerings but also position it as a leader in sustainable building services, potentially driving market expansion and adoption of its systems.
Conclusion
Envola GmbH's innovative approach to energy-efficient building solutions aligns well with the growing demand for sustainable technologies. While specific new partnerships are not detailed, the company's existing technology and potential for collaboration position it favorably for future growth and market influence.
Sources: - Envola Website Envola Website
- Envola GmbH Description Envola Description
- Export and Import Information Export Data and Contact
6 The Hiring and Company Growth
Envola GmbH: Growth and Team Dynamics Post-EIC Accelerator Funding Envola GmbH, a German innovator in integrated building technology systems, won EIC Accelerator funding in March 2022. While specific hiring numbers or team growth metrics are not publicly disclosed since their award period, the company emphasizes its plug-and-play technology platform, which streamlines heating, cooling, ventilation, and hot water systems for buildings.Key Insights on Team and Hiring
- Current headcount: Not explicitly stated on their website or available reports. Envola’s operational model involves collaboration with certified planners and installation teams, suggesting a lean core team augmented by external partners.
- Hiring activity: No direct job postings were found via search results, though Envola’s focus on scaling its "fully digital" system implies ongoing technical recruitment to support product development and deployment.
- Growth trajectory: The EIC Accelerator funding likely accelerated R&D for their standardized prefabricated components (reducing construction costs) and remote maintenance solutions. Such innovations demand expertise in IoT integration, energy efficiency engineering, and project management.
- Management stability: Co-founders Alexander Schechner and Jürgen Häckel remain listed as managing directors without indication of recent leadership changes.
Strategic Implications of Scaling
Expanding technical roles would align with Envola’s aim to simplify building services through digitization. New hires in software development (for control systems) or sustainable HVAC design could further optimize their energy-saving solutions—critical for meeting EU climate goals cited in their EIC partnership.Sources
- Envola official website
- Europa.eu Innovation Council references (Indirect reference; no direct link to Envola provided)
7 The Media Features and Publications
Overview of Envola GmbH
Envola GmbH, based in Germany, is a company specializing in innovative, integrated systems for heating, cooling, ventilation, and domestic hot water preparation. Since winning the EIC Accelerator funding in March 2022, Envola has continued to develop its technology and expand its business activities.
Media Features and Publications
While specific media coverage directly naming Envola GmbH is limited, the company has been involved in significant developments and investments in the energy sector. For instance, Envola is planning to build a heat pump plant in Bulgaria's city of Burgas with an investment of 50 million euros. This indicates the company's growing presence in the international energy market.
Content from Publications
Publications highlight Envola's focus on providing a fully integrated and networked system for buildings, which is more efficient than current standards. This system includes a high-integration energy center and an innovative all-in-one room air unit for heating, cooling, and ventilation. Envola also emphasizes reduced investment and operational costs, contributing to a more economic transition to green energy.
Podcasts or Interviews
There is no available information on specific podcasts or interviews featuring the team of Envola GmbH. However, the company's innovative approach to energy solutions positions it well for future media appearances.
Conference and Fair Visits, Presentations, or Participations
Envola GmbH's participation in conferences and fairs is not well-documented in available sources. However, with its expanding presence in the energy sector, it is likely that the company will engage in industry events to showcase its innovative technologies.
Event Involvement
Envola's involvement in events is primarily through its business expansion and technology development. The company's investment in a new plant in Bulgaria and its equity financing round suggest active participation in strategic business events and partnerships.
Conclusion
Since receiving the EIC Accelerator funding in 2022, Envola GmbH has been focused on advancing its technology and expanding its operations, particularly with significant investments in new manufacturing facilities. The company's emphasis on efficient energy solutions positions it as a key player in the transition to sustainable energy systems.
Sources: - Envola GmbH
- Envola to build heat pump plant in Bulgaria's Burgas
- KPMG Law advises Envola GmbH on its first equity financing round
- Envola
- Envola
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