Smart Grids and a Smarter Future for Europe?

Withthegrid raises €3.5M to expand its real-time grid tech, helping Europe scale renewables and meet tough new energy rules

26 May 2025

Dutch energy technology company Withthegrid has raised €3.5mn to expand its real-time grid management platform across Europe, as utilities struggle to adapt networks to growing volumes of renewable power.

The Utrecht-based start-up said the funding would support the wider rollout of its Teleport Gateway software, which allows grid operators to monitor and control decentralised assets such as solar panels, wind turbines, battery storage systems and electric vehicle chargers.

The round includes €2mn in equity from venture capital group Move Energy and €1.5mn in loans from Rabobank and the Nationaal Groenfonds, a Dutch green investment fund. Withthegrid said the capital would be used to add compliance features and enter additional European markets.

Teleport Gateway connects to more than 450 types of energy systems and provides operators with real-time data to manage congestion, outages and fluctuating supply from renewable sources. Such tools are increasingly in demand as electrification rises and traditional grids face pressure from intermittent power generation.

The investment comes as EU regulators introduce stricter requirements on grid flexibility, interoperability and cybersecurity, forcing utilities to upgrade digital infrastructure. Companies that manage distributed energy resources are expected to play a larger role in meeting climate targets while maintaining system stability.

“Operators don’t just need better data, they need immediate, intelligent action,” a Withthegrid spokesperson said. “Teleport Gateway is designed for exactly that challenge.”

Move Energy described the platform as a key enabler of a decentralised electricity system, while Rabobank said improved grid management could help reduce emissions by allowing more renewable power to be integrated efficiently.

Analysts say demand for smart grid technology is likely to increase as cities and network operators modernise ageing infrastructure and accommodate electric vehicles and heat pumps. However, scaling across Europe remains complex, given fragmented national regulations and technical standards.

Withthegrid said it was focusing on regulatory compliance to ease expansion. The company already works with utilities in several European countries, though it did not disclose customer numbers.

The funding highlights growing investor interest in digital energy systems as Europe seeks to balance security of supply with rapid decarbonisation.