Belgium has some of Europe’s most prominent financial and political institutions and is a hub of multiculturalism and variety. The small country has three national languages, making it a multilingual asset for multinational entrepreneurs. With French, Dutch, German, and a strong level of English, Belgium-based GreenTech startups are working at a global level despite hindrances “imposed by the inter-regional coordination, a lack of eco-innovation and circular economy related skills in SMEs, a limited control over product design for most products entering the market and the very low environmental taxation.” Source
REstore
Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium-based REstore was founded by Jan-Willem Rombouts and Pieter-Jan Mermans. REstore is an award-winning energy technology company. REstore specializes in Demand Side Management. REstore operates in all ancillary services and capacity markets in France, the UK, Germany, and Benelux. REstore’s FlexPond™ is a data-driven platform that enables utilities to interact with residential, commercial, and industrial (C&I) end-users. Founded in 2010, on November 3, 2017, the company was acquired by Centrica for €70M. Centrica (LON: CNA) is a multinational energy and services company based in Windsor, United Kingdom. Centrica specializes in developing innovative solutions, offers, and products. These companies focus on distributed energy & power, connected homes, energy supply, energy marketing & trading, exploration & production, and services. They supply energy and services to over 25 million customer accounts.
re.alto
Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, Belgium-based re.alto is a startup from the Elia Group, TSO in Belgium and Germany. In 2020, re.alto is the first European digital marketplace for energy data and services, offering value-added features to build “Energy as a Service” applications. re.alto is built to connect the energy world and remove complexities inherent in the energy sector for businesses and consumers. The brand’s initial focus is on the B2B players active in renewable energy generation and home energy management in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, The Netherlands, and Belgium. By connecting and facilitating the exchange of energy data and services, re.alto makes it easier for companies to create value, accelerate the transition to smarter grids, and ultimately make life better for all. Founded in 2019, on September 19, 2021, the company received €1.5M in a Seed round.
Sitemark
Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium-based Sitemark was founded by Maxime Bossens, Stanislas van der Vaeren, and Vishal Punamiya. Sitemark started its journey with drones and aerial data in the solar and construction industry to provide new insights that cannot be gathered from the ground. Now, Sitemark provides software and services to streamline and optimize solar site engineering, construction, and operation. Sitemark is used across more than 3000 sites in over 35 countries by the world’s leading renewable energy companies, including TotalEnergies, ENEL, EDF, Sonnedix, and Enerparc, to increase productivity and avoid risks. Sitemark’s mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to renewable energy. Founded in 2016, on September 23, 2019, the company received €5M in Series A funding from Korys and Chroma Impact Investment.
E&C Consultants
Kortrijk, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium-based E&C Consultants was founded by Benedict De Meulemeester in 2005. E&C is an energy consultancy with an international team of energy experts that offer a unique blend of global capabilities and local expertise. E&C helps industrial consumers buy energy and assists them with renewable energy transition. We advise industrial clients at the highest standard of independence on how to buy energy by applying tailor-made energy contracting, risk management, data management (ePoint), energy controlling, market information, and sustainable energy management. The focus is on the pricing aspect of consuming these energies. E&C’s offices in Europe, Asia Pacific, and the US serve more than 300 clients from South Africa to Norway and Peru to Australia, with annual spending of between 1.5 million and 1.5 billion dollars.
Ecorus Engineering
Of the 6 Belgium-based GreenTech startups, Diest, Vlaams-Brabant-based Ecorus Engineering is founded by Philippe Vanhoef and Raphael Janssens. Ecorus is involved in solar energy projects and handles the entire process for companies, housing, roofs, and solar parks. Ecorus wants to contribute to a better, more sustainable world, without fossil energy, without CO2. Ecorus believes that solar energy is the new oil and gas. Solar power has the greatest potential of all sustainable, renewable energy sources. It has a limited landscape impact and is not dependent on water. Ecorus has grown from pioneer to solar specialist. Ecorus devises, builds, manages, and finances the best-performing solar power plants. Ecorus wants to close a coal-fired power station by 2030. Ecorus’ mission is to make an impact with solar energy. Founded in 2010, on December 4, 2015, the company received seed funding from PDENH.
Tapio
Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, Belgium-based Tapio, was founded by Louis Collinet and Nathan Clarke. Tapio is an all-in-one carbon management software allowing companies to contribute to carbon neutrality. Tapio’s mission is to provide the software through which companies can act and commit to global carbon neutrality. Combining technology with purpose, Tapio’s Carbon Strategy Platform allows businesses to calculate, analyze, and reduce their environmental impact easily. By providing the toolbox they need, Tapio supports companies in taking control of their carbon footprint, offering the opportunity to make a difference, transition to a low-carbon economy, and contribute to a global decarbonized future. Solar Impulse Foundation certifies Tapio for its clean and profitable solutions positively impacting the environment and quality of life. Founded in 2019, among all Belgium-based GreenTech startups, on September 1, 2020, Tapio received €500K seed funding.
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