Nanolope Raises €800k for Building Energy Storage Tech

Berlin's Nanolope has successfully closed a €800,000 pre-Seed funding round, signaling a significant step forward in its mission to revolutionize building energy efficiency. The capital injection, led by IBB Ventures through its B# (“be sharp”) fund, alongside a cohort of seasoned business angels and industry specialists from the energy, real estate, and materials technology sectors, will fuel the company's expansion.

The startup is pioneering a novel approach to thermal energy storage, developing patent-protected materials designed to transform existing building surfaces into passive heat and cold reservoirs. This innovation targets the substantial energy consumption within Europe's building sector, which accounts for a significant portion of overall energy use and associated emissions. Nanolope's technology aims to address the challenges posed by outdated heating systems and poor thermal performance in older structures, offering a retrofit solution that avoids costly and disruptive renovations.

“The key to decarbonizing heating lies within our existing building stock,” stated Dr. Felix Marske, CEO and co-founder of Nanolope. “Many properties require solutions that are both rapid and economical to implement, without necessitating major structural changes. Our thermal storage panels are engineered precisely for this purpose, offering a practical pathway to enhanced energy efficiency.” The company's solutions are particularly suited for housing associations and operators of commercial properties, including hotels and offices, promising improved thermal comfort and reduced operational expenses.

Nanolope's innovative ceiling panels are engineered to integrate seamlessly, converting walls, ceilings, and floors into effective thermal storage units. This passive system contributes to a more stable indoor climate, mitigating extreme temperature fluctuations and consequently lowering demand for both heating and cooling. The anticipated benefits include a reduction in CO₂ emissions, decreased peak energy loads, and enhanced overall building performance. The materials themselves are developed under green chemistry principles, utilizing renewable, plant-based raw materials sourced within the EU, free from rare earths, and designed for recyclability at end-of-life.

The strategic importance of such solutions is underscored by the European Union's ambitious climate targets and the increasing regulatory pressure on building energy performance. The building sector's energy efficiency improvements are critical for achieving these goals, and technologies like Nanolope's offer a tangible means to accelerate this transition. The market for building retrofitting solutions is substantial, driven by the need to upgrade millions of existing structures across the continent.

Sabine Wolff, Principal at IBB Ventures, commented on the investment, noting, “The Nanolope team impressed us with their deep expertise, extensive experience, and a clear ambition to redefine industry standards in construction. Their patented energy storage materials represent a vital innovation in the fight against climate change.” The newly secured funding will be instrumental in scaling up production capabilities, initiating crucial pilot projects to demonstrate the technology's efficacy in real-world settings, and expanding the company's dedicated team.