Smart green utility-in-a-box: Today Lumenaza announces the successful closing of their €6.5M Series B, led by First Imagine and the family office of Tom Wolf. The existing investors Future Energy Ventures and IBB Ventures made follow-on investments while EnBW New Ventures exited after a holding period of 5 years. The new capital enables the Berlin-based startup to accelerate its growth and international expansion and further develop its energy-as-a-service platform and services. Lumenaza is specialised in enabling new utilities and energy communities. Customers include E.ON, SMA and Envision Digital and partners include Greencom Networks. The software-as-a-service startup pitched at Ecosummit Berlin 2014 for the first time and, recently, at Ecosummit Zoom 3 November 2020 and Ecosummit Zoom 21 April 2021.

First Imagine is located in the UK and Cyprus and led by Managing Director Alexander Starchenko who participated in Ecosummit Berlin 2019 for the first time. Alexander told us that they manage $70M dry powder committed by one European family office. The portfolio of First Imagine includes the Ecosummit startups Moixa, Voltaware and Aurelia Turbines. First Imagine plans several new investments per year and is focused on making its first investments in the Series A or B of European technology startups that drive the energy transition and have product-market fit.

In 2016, IBB Ventures and EnBW New Ventures were the Seed investors of Lumenaza. 5 years later, EnBW New Ventures celebrates its first exit and plans to reinvest the proceeds in new startups due to the evergreen CVC fund structure. Crispin Leick and his team saw an opportunity for good financial returns and strong interest from late stage investors and decided to exit already in the Series B. At the same time, EnBW continues to be a customer of Lumenaza post-exit.

On 10 June 2021, Tom Wolf sold his remaining 8,4% shares of RIB Software to Schneider Electric and plans to hand over his CEO position in 2022. Schneider Electric acquired RIB Software in 2020. In the future, Tom plans to make more smart green startup investments with his family office.

We believe that Lumenaza has a bright future and is, definitely, a smart green startup you should know. Congratulations to Founder CEO Christian Chudoba and his co-founders and investors as well as our sponsors, it’s time to celebrate fundraising progress.

Tags: Alexander Starchenko, Berlin, Christian Chudoba, Cleantech VC, Crispin Leick, Ecosummit Berlin 2021, Ecosummit Zoom 21 April 2021, Ecosummit Zoom 3 November 2020, EnBW New Ventures, Energy as a service, Energy Communities, Family Office, First Imagine, Future Energy Ventures, Greencom Networks, IBB Ventures, Lumenaza, RIB Software, Schneider Electric, Series B, Smart Green Energy, Smart Green Mobility, Smart Green Startup, Smart Green Utility, Software as a service, Tom Wolf