Led · Equity · Nov 2021

zolar operates an online platform that provides homeowners and regional tradespeople access to individual residential solar solutions and related energy-management products. The company recently launched zolar Easypay, a flexible, individual instalment loan that lets customers choose between a one-time upfront payment or a monthly fee to own systems. This financing product expands zolar’s consumer offering and aims to make solar adoption more accessible and affordable. zolar states its mission is to enable people to benefit from self-generated green energy while contributing to climate protection. The company aims to supply more than ten million European households with renewable energy by 2030. Since being founded in 2016, zolar has raised close to €300 million to support its growth. Zolar offers an online configurator that simplifies buying or leasing customized rooftop solar systems for homeowners and coordinates installations through a network of local craft businesses. The company says enquiries about installing solar systems have more than quadrupled this year amid rising energy prices, and it currently works with 500 local installers. Zolar plans to expand that Craftship Partner Network to 3,000 installers by 2025 and will open a training centre this year to address the renewable sector skills gap. The product roadmap includes new digital energy features such as an energy management system, a dynamic electricity tariff and a smart control to auto-charge electric cars at optimal times. Zolar has previously raised €59 million and its installer network recently benefited from $23 million in support from Ecosia. CEO Alex Melzer has set a goal to supply 10 million European households with either a solar system or renewable energy by 2030. Zolar provides residential customers with photovoltaic systems using an all-in rental/lease model designed to lower upfront costs and bureaucratic barriers. Customers can rent systems for as little as €54/month, with monthly pricing tied to individual electricity consumption and system size. Leases run for 20 years, after which homeowners can purchase the system for a symbolic €1 and typically continue to use it for another ~10 years. The company aims to expand into new markets and will deploy fresh capital to accelerate that growth. Zolar positions its offering similarly to competitor Enpal and emphasizes making solar energy accessible, affordable, and effective for a broad consumer base. The company is led by founder and CEO Alex Melzer. Zolar provides fixed-priced photovoltaic systems through an in-house Zolar Online Configurator that lets homeowners plan, compare and commission PV systems online. The company pairs its digital sales platform with a network of local partner installers to deliver end-to-end rooftop solar deployments. Zolar is expanding its product portfolio to integrate energy storage and electric mobility, and aims to enable electrified, smart households. Management says revenue grew significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic and the company is targeting to triple installations across Germany in 2021. Zolar positions itself as a customer-centric next-generation energy company focused on decentralised renewable systems and carbon footprint reduction. The Berlin startup employs around 150 people across Germany and emphasizes climate protection as a primary business priority. Zolar develops photovoltaic systems and energy-management solutions for homes, producing solar panel systems that provide power when needed and store the rest. Its core products include the Zolar Online Configurator for customers and the Zolar Project Center portal for partnered installation technicians to digitise their work. The company aims to become a key data provider for the accelerated energy transition by optimising its digital platforms and expanding internationally. According to a press release, revenues this year have doubled compared to 2019. Zolar will use the new funding to expand abroad and to establish itself as a go-to company for clean energy and individual solar systems, CEO Alex Melzer said. Founded in 2016 and based in Berlin, the startup previously raised a €4 million Series A three years earlier.

Participated · Series B · Jul 2021

TP24 offers flexible revolving business credit to SMEs that is secured against outstanding invoices while leaving the debtor base with the client. The company provides loans from £250,000 to £5,000,000 to eligible UK SMEs that have been operational for at least three years and maintain a debtor base above £350,000. TP24 was launched in Switzerland in 2018 and has since opened branches in Australia (2019), the UK (2021) and the Netherlands (2022); it is London-based and privately owned. Its main shareholders include Credit Suisse, SIX Group and Berliner Volksbank Ventures. The firm intends to use new funding to expand operations and increase lending to SMEs in the UK and the Netherlands, and to support its Australian lending capacity. The product differentiates from factoring by not taking over outstanding invoices. TP24 is a Zurich, Switzerland-based, data-driven business lender that provides receivables-backed working capital facilities to mid-sized companies. Its financing solution offers over-collateralized security and an insurance wrapper to increase protection for debt investors relative to alternative lenders. The company aims to reduce SMEs' dependence on banks by supplying needed liquidity. TP24 received a mezzanine funding facility from Channel Capital Advisors; the amount was not disclosed. It intends to use the funds to free up equity capital to accelerate business growth and pursue global expansion plans. No revenue or user metrics were disclosed in the article. Tradeplus24 offers a tech-enabled line of credit solution aimed at addressing SME working capital needs, especially loans between $500k and $10 million. The product leverages data to manage risk more effectively and to create bespoke solutions for priority segments. The company has been investing in technology and growing its teams, with its Australian team doubling in four months and the global team also doubling this year. Tradeplus24 reported strong customer growth, trebling customer numbers in Q2 2021. The firm is using new capital to expand Australian and European operations and to launch into the UK and the Netherlands later in the year. It has secured more than $200 million in total debt facilities across the group and plans to increase that to $400 million by the end of 2021. Tradeplus24 offers worldwide receivables-backed lending solutions that make raising working capital simpler and more cost effective for SMEs and mid-market companies. Launched in late 2016 and based in Zurich, the company is exclusively partnered with Credit Suisse and insurance advisor Kessler & Co AG (Marsh Network). Its solution is integrated into Credit Suisse’s product portfolio for SME clients and client feedback has been reported as very positive. Tradeplus24 announced plans to double down on the Swiss market and begin global expansion. Financially, the company reported that its Series A plus credit facilities sum to CHF120m in total, though it did not disclose the split between equity and debt. The firm previously secured a credit facility of more than CHF100m in 2017; industry estimates place the Series A equity tranche between CHF4–8m. Tradeplus24 offers an automated lending product that enables SMEs and mid-market firms to increase working capital by lending against global accounts receivable. The company positions its product to address lengthening payment terms and the growing share of turnover in emerging markets. Tradeplus24 plans to use recent proceeds to scale up support and delivery of its automated lending solution and further product development. The firm is Zurich-based and targets SME and mid-market segments across Europe and beyond. Credit Suisse, via its SVC-Ltd vehicle, will also offer Tradeplus24’s product to Credit Suisse customers in Switzerland, expanding distribution reach. The company emphasized the solution’s simplicity and automation as core differentiators for stressed working capital environments.