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Large and underserved market
Most energy-saving technologies target new real estate but 50 million buildings in Europe are low-tech and need to be energetically renovated (corresponds to 72% of the building stock). However, energetic renovation fails to cope with the demand due to lack of workforce and rising prices. With its scalable, modular plug & play solutions specifically designed for this enormous, insufficiently served market, metr offers a low-cost alternative - representing a one stop shop for energy-efficient buildings.
Proven technology with real traction
metr’s proprietary technology makes legacy heating systems 20% to 35% more energy-efficient. The system fulfils international regulations and has already been contracted by almost 70 leading property and industrial companies for 3,600 buildings with more than 100,000 rental units in total.
Stable, growing business model
With €2.2 million in booked ARR and multi-year contracts of up to 10 years, metr generates stable, low-risk recurring revenue. Its system fee - up to 50% of energy saving - creates a financial win-win situation for tenants and landlords. The modular platform drives growth through upselling and portfolio expansion.
Robust ESG and regulatory alignment
metr helps clients comply with tightening EU energy regulations while reducing CO₂-emissions. Its great impact focus aligns directly with SDG 7 (Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action) - increasing its relevance for impact-driven investors.
Strong investors believe in the long-term growth of metr
metr is backed by renowned investors like the Investment Bank of Berlin (IBB Capital), the BRAWO Capital Group, Next Big Thing AG (a Berlin-based investment company), and Kachel (the investment company of the manufacturer WIKA). They have already invested €1.28 million in this round, with an additional €4 million converted into equity - underscoring confidence in metr’s long-term strategy.
“Most buildings still waste energy because they lack smart, affordable solutions. This stands in sharp contrast to the EU's ambitious climate targets. At metr, we’re changing that. With our proprietary plug & play technology, we bring cost-effective real-time energy insights and heating optimization to low-tech buildings - cutting costs, emissions, and complexity in short time.
Almost 70 customers have signed our solutions for 3,600 buildings already, and thanks to strong recurring revenues, a growing customer base, and backing from leading investors, we’re currently scaling fast.
This is your chance to invest in a proven technology that drives real impact - building by building.”
Dr. Franka Birke, CEO, metr
Investment information
Days to invest:
25
Investing round ends:
01/10/2025
Type:
Equity offering
Invested so far:
€808,224.23
Equity offered:
1.67 – 8.01 %
Price per share:
€278.41
min investment 1 share
Transaction costs:
1.50 %
Number of existing shares:
82,499
Pre-money valuation:
€15,000,000.00
Maximum issue size:
€2,700,020.18
Offered units:
9,698
Broker:
Oneplanetcrowd International B.V
License:
ECSPR
*The share price is calculated on a non-diluted pre-money valuation of €15 million. Before the equity round the number of shares was 53,877.
Overview
Company profile
metr, a pioneer with first-mover footprint for buildings energy efficiency, started in 2016 by delivering R&D services to major housing associations before switching the business model to commercialization of its own software and hardware in 2021. The company is led by an experienced team, including three experienced company founders and backed by German investors. As a result, metr built up an outstanding access to and knowledge of the real estate market.
The challenge:
Due to growing regulations, rising interest rates and increasing energy prices, landlords struggle to profitably manage real estate. Indeed, the real estate sector accounts for around 40% of all energy consumption in the EU, whereby 80% of the energy is used in the operating phase of buildings for heating & cooling. At the same time, most buildings are “low-tech” and still not energy-efficient. This leads to high energy bills, putting increasing financial pressure on tenants. Moreover, high interest rates, stricter regulations and increasing pressure to comply with environmental regulations and costly renovations reduce real estate yields for landlords.
metr’s solution:
By combining AI-powered software with an easy-to-install multi-functional gateway (m-gate) that reads out all kind of controllers of heating systems and connects them to the cloud, metr brings transparency and control to energy consumption. The platform detects inefficiencies across all kinds of heating manufacturers, recommends actions, and automates key processes like heating optimization and hydraulic balancing.
The result:
Up to 35% energy savings, lower CO₂ emissions, and up to 50% operational cost reductions – advanced technology used by building operators in 3,600 buildings already. metr is trusted by major players like Deutsche Telekom, Heimstaden, Median hospitals and the German Red Cross, and is now ready to scale across Europe.
Company Info
Company name:
metr Building Management Systems GmbH
Managing director:
Dr. Franka Birke
Business ID number:
HRB 181442 B (Charlottenburg, Berlin)
Founding year:
2016
Address:
Erkelenzdamm 11 - 13
10999 Berlin
Germany
Industry:
PropTech / Building Energy Efficiency / IoT / SaaS
Number of employees:
35
Locations:
Operations are currently focused in Germany;
international expansion is planned as of 2026
metr offers a holistic platform of connected soft- and hardware designed to maximize energy efficiency of heating production and distribution systems in millions of buildings still operating without digital infrastructure. Its modular plug & play solutions are built for scale and designed to reduce energy costs, CO₂- emissions, and compliance risks - without the need for costly renovations or complex integrations.
metr's core solution relies on proprietary heating optimization technology as well as a proprietary data collector hardware (multi-functional gateway “m-gate”). metr engineers the software, firmware and the gateway in-house. Production of the gateway is performed by external partners.
This compact hardware device acts as the link between building systems and the cloud: it collects data from heating systems, meters, and sensors - even in older buildings with mixed technologies - and transmits it securely to metr’s software platform. There, the data is processed with proprietary AI algorithms to identify inefficiencies and automate improvements.
metr’s product portfolio includes remote heating monitoring, proprietary heating optimization based on weather forecasts, automated hydraulic balancing, and smart metering across electricity, gas, heat, and water.
How does it work?
metr combines connected hardware and AI-powered software to deliver energy savings and consumption transparency to any building - no matter how old or complex.
1. Plug & play installation
Installation of the gateway takes just as little as 15 minutes. The connection to the heating system is also quick to implement and only takes 1 to 2 hours.
2. Real-time energy data
The gateway automatically transmits consumption data (electricity, gas, heat, water) as well as operation data of the heating systems to the cloud. metr’s platform collects and visualizes all this data in one easy-to-use dashboard.
3. AI-driven optimization
The software optimizes heating systems directly, adjusting flow temperatures based on weather forecasts and indoor sensor data. Moreover, it detects anomalies, malfunctions, and energy waste - and provides automated recommendations.
4. Compliance & cost savings
metr enables landlords to meet legal requirements like the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and reduces the need for on-site inspections. The result: lower energy bills for tenants, fewer CO₂ emissions and more transparency and thus additional cost savings for building owners and tenants.
Business model
metr operates a subscription-based business model designed for financial stability, scalability, predictability, and long-term customer relationships. The products are offered to property owners or building operators over a contract lifetime of up to 10 years either as modular Software-as-a-Service or as Equipment-as-a-Service model (including on-site installation, software update over-the-air, maintenance and financing). The subscription fee makes up to maximal 50% of the energy cost savings, creating a financial win-win situation for both tenants and landlords.
metr covers different financial-stable customer segments:
housing associations,
industrial companies,
private building owners
Customers can choose between different products - such as heating monitoring, AI-powered heating optimization, smart metering, or automated hydraulic balancing. The model supports both upselling and cross-selling over time, as customers scale or want to add functionality.
metr markets its products via a direct sales team and through a network of selected B2B sales partners with a strong access to real estate owners.
The entry barriers in the real estate market are high: needs for credentials for outstanding service quality, full-service offering, access to asset financing. This makes it difficult for incumbents or new players to enter the market.
With its unique technology, proven track record of large-scale deployments and trusted partnerships with leading housing companies, metr has already secured a strong foothold, giving it a clear competitive edge in expanding further.
Market
Energy efficiency is one of the most pressing challenges in the real estate sector - especially in Europe, where buildings are responsible for roughly 40% of total energy consumption*. Most of this energy is wasted in older, low-tech buildings without digital monitoring or control systems.
metr targets exactly this underserved segment: multi-tenant residential and commercial buildings that lack building management systems (BMS). In Germany alone, this includes:
3.2 million residential buildings
2 million commercial buildings
Together, these account for around 90% of the total building stock, according to metr’s internal analysis.
Based on metr’s market assessment, the total addressable market for building energy efficiency and transparency in Europe is estimated at more than €110 billion annually, including:
~€87 billion in energy efficiency services
~€31 billion in energy transparency and data solutions
metr competes in a fragmented market, but differentiates itself through:
The broadest product portfolio from smart metering to AI-based heating optimization and automated hydraulic balancing, which makes it possible to maximize energy efficiency without renovation.
It’s broad manufacturer-independent compatibility, which also includes proprietary protocols that still make out 80% of the market.
Its innovative technology for e.g. the AI-based heating optimization (patent pending) and the automated hydraulic balancing (patent pending).
While most competitors focus on individual features or require costly integrations, metr offers a fully integrated, plug & play solution that is easier to adopt and scale. As a result, metr offers the best energy saving to price ratio on the market.
With expansion into other EU markets planned from 2026, metr is well positioned to scale into a growing, regulation-driven market.
*Source: European Commission – Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)
Impact
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs or 'Global Goals') are part of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and constitute the international framework for sustainable development until 2030. These SDGs are intended to put an end to poverty, inequality, and climate change.
As a technology provider for energy-efficient buildings, metr contributes directly to several of these goals. By digitizing heating systems and reducing energy waste in existing building stocks, metr addresses both environmental and social challenges - from lowering emissions to improving living conditions and cutting utility costs.
metr’s impact grows as its solution is scaled across residential and commercial properties in Europe. The following SDGs are particularly relevant:
SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
metr improves the energy performance of buildings without requiring full renovation. Through real-time monitoring and AI-based optimization, it reduces energy demand and makes heating more affordable - especially in older buildings that previously lacked digital control systems.
SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
metr supports the sustainable transformation of the built environment by enabling data-driven retrofitting of existing buildings. This helps cities and housing providers reduce emissions, improve infrastructure resilience, and comply with evolving ESG standards.
SDG 13 - Climate Action
By reducing unnecessary energy use and CO₂ emissions, metr enables measurable climate impact at scale. Its plug & play technology accelerates the decarbonization of one of Europe’s most emission-intensive sectors: the built environment.
Other relevant SDGs include SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being and SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.
Management
Dr. Franka Birke
CEO & Founder
Franka Birke has over 20 years of experience in innovation, sustainability, and startup leadership. Before founding metr, she was a Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship at TU Berlin and Entrepreneurship Lead at Climate-KIC, Europe’s largest climate innovation initiative. With deep expertise at the intersection of technology, climate policy, and business building, she drives metr’s long-term vision: making buildings more energy-efficient at scale.
Samuel Billot
CPO
Samuel Billot has led digital product development across industries for more than 17 years. Prior to joining metr, he co-founded OA Digital, an IoT platform for real estate, and held leadership roles at Cisco, Accenture and Bosch, where he specialized in digital strategy and product development. At metr he is responsible for product management, partnership and projects delivery to ensure profitable business model, scalable products and customer satisfaction.
Maximilian Thumfart
CTO
Maximilian Thumfart has 15 years of deep experience in software architecture, building technology, and IoT systems. He previously held tech leadership roles at Thinkproject and co-founded Konstru, a BIM collaboration tool. With a background in architecture and applied computer science, Maximilian bridges the gap between complex building infrastructure and digital innovation - making him ideally suited to lead metr’s software and hardware technology development.
Company structure
metr Building Management Systems GmbH is an independent PropTech scale-up based in Berlin, Germany. The company is not part of a corporate group and operates as a standalone entity in the real estate technology sector.
Founded in 2016, metr has gradually expanded its operations, customer base, and team to become a leading player in the field of building energy efficiency. The company is registered as a limited liability company (GmbH) under German law.
Distribution of company shares
metr is backed by a strong consortium of institutional and strategic investors who support metr’s long-term vision and contribute to expertise in technology, real estate, and growth financing.
The company’s shares are distributed across several experienced investors, all with a long-term interest in building scalable, impact-driven ventures. The following major shareholdings are presented on a fully-diluted base:
Management Team incl. VSOP pools - 29.0 %
NBT AG (Next Big Thing) - 16.6%
A Berlin-based investment company focusing on building and investing into digital transformation business models and the transition toward the Machine Economy.
IBB Capital GmbH - 16.5%
The investment arm of the state of Berlin, focused on financing innovation and sustainability. IBB Capital supports metr not only with funding but also with deep local knowledge and public funding networks.
Kachel GmbH (WIKA Alexander Wiegand SE & Co. KG) - 15.3%
The investment arm of a German hidden champion in the field of industrial measurement technology who produces over 50 million sensors a year. WIKA brings measurement technology expertise to metr.
BraWo Capital GmbH - 7.6%
A private investment company supporting SME growth in Germany. BraWo Capital is part of the BraWo Group, one of Germany's largest cooperative bank with strategic real estate interests.
These investors, alongside early business angels and founders, continue to support metr’s growth, with several parties having already paid additional capital for the current funding round.
The benefit of this diversified and experienced shareholder base is clear: metr combines the agility of a scale-up with the strategic backing of institutional investors and secures excellent growth opportunities with this network of big shareholders. This ensures not only financial stability, but also operational credibility and support for future expansion - both in Germany and across Europe.
While Dr. Franka Birke currently holds 6.23% of shares directly and indirectly, a governance agreement with NBT ensures that she retains at least 10% of voting rights. This safeguards the founding team’s influence and strategic continuity in key decisions.
Use of funds
Depending on the amount raised in the current financing round, metr will prioritize different activities. The funds will be used to accelerate growth, and prepare for international expansion.
Note: All funding amounts are marked with “~” to indicate nearest-rounding. This approach is used to provide a transparent and accessible overview for investors, without implying precise or fixed budget allocations.
In the first closing of its current Series B round, metr secured €1.28 million in new capital, with an additional €4 million converted into equity.
The company is now preparing for a second closing, targeting an additional €980,000. Of this amount, Invesdor has committed a minimum contribution of €400,000 (up to a maximal volume of € 2,000,000). As outlined in the fundraising plan section, any remaining portion of the €980,000, may be provided by a federal state bank (Landesbank) and/or other traditional growth capital investors, depending on the success of the campaign.
metr enters this financing round at a pre-money valuation of €15 million, which corresponds to a 7x multiple on current annual booked recurring revenue (ARR). This valuation reflects the company’s strong foundation in the German real estate market, its growing base of long-term contracts, and its position as a first mover in digitizing energy systems for low-tech buildings.
metr currently generates an annual booked recurring revenue of €2.2 million. A continued expansion within Germany and the start of the preparations for an international rollout in 2026 will contribute to a steady month-over-month growth of revenue. The majority of customer contracts are multi-year and based on a recurring revenue model, creating predictable and scalable revenue streams.
In the European SaaS and PropTech landscape, valuation multiples typically range between 5x and 12x ARR, depending on growth, profitability, and market positioning. metr’s multiple is within this range and is further supported by anchor commitments from existing institutional investors.
metr expects to reach break-even by early 2027. Until then, the company is following a targeted fundraising strategy that combines dilutive equity capital with selective non-dilutive instruments.
Current funding round
€7.28million Series B in total
of which up to €2 million is being raised via Invesdor.
€1.03 million of fresh money already provided primarily by existing investors (IBB Capital, NBT AG) in the first closing.
€250,000 in new convertible loans have already been provided in the first closing and will convert as part of this round.
€2 million convertible loans have already been converted as part of this round.
€2 million in silent participations ("Stille Beteiligungen") have already been converted as part of this round.
metr raises its Series B funding round in two tranches.
The first closing of €1.28 million (fresh money + new convertible) has already been notarized and paid out. Of this amount, €700,000 remain available and will be counted as an anchor investment in the current round. An additional €4 million in convertible loans and silent participations have been converted into equity.
For the second closing, in which Invesdor is participating, a total amount of €980,000 is needed to cover metrs liquidity for at least twelve months. The volume of the Invesdor funding round is €400,000 - €2 million. The potential difference to €980,000 (in case less money is raised via the platform) will be covered from institutional investors as part of the payout condition.
In this context, renowned federal state banks (Landesbanken) may double the investment sum of the Invesdor campaign. Several banks are exploring a participation in metr for an investment of up to €2 million. Other VC funds & Familiy Offices are also considering participating in the round based on the completed campaign.
Dilutive funding (until break-even)
Series B (2025): €7.28 million in total (ongoing)
Series C (2026, if needed): Focused on international scale-up and product expansion
→ May involve new VC or growth-stage impact investors
Non-dilutive funding
Public innovation grants (e.g. from IBB or German innovation programs) have supported product development to date
Loans or leasing structures may be considered to finance hardware in the future
→ Especially relevant if metr begins keeping components on its own balance sheet as requested by some customers
With a monthly burn rate of ~€300,000 the current cash runway is extending into late 2025. With a successful close of the Series B end of 2025, metr is in a stable position to execute on its roadmap.
Investor
Type of funding
Year
Amount
Pre-money valuation
1
Private Business Angels
Seed A
2017
€125,000
€1.0 million
2
NBT AG / private BA
Seed B
2018
€735,000
€3.0 million
3
GBG Mannheim/private BA
Seed C
2019
€900,000
€6.8 million
4
Existing Shareholders
Seed D
2020
€1.180 million
€12.0 million
5
IBB Capital/Mujinzo Labs / WIKA
Series A
2023
€6.0 million
€13.745 million
6
NBT AG (top-up)
Convertible Loan
2023
€300,000
€12.0 million (cap)
7
IBB Capital (top-up)
Convertible Loan
2023
€700,000
€12.0 million (cap)
8
Kachel GmbH
Silent Participation
2023
€1.0 million(1)
-
9
BraWo Capital
Silent Participation
2023
€2.0 million(2)
-
10
IBB
Public loans
2018/2019
€460,000(3)
-
11
IBB
Public grants
2019/2020
€300,000
-
12
IBB
Public loans
2021-2023
€290,000(4)
-
13
IBB
Public grants
2022-2024
€260,000
-
14
IBB
Public grants
2021-2024
€523,000
-
(1) Has already been fully converted into equity as part of the current financing round.
(2) €1.0 million has already been converted into equity as part of the current financing round.
(3) Thereof €60,000 still to be paid off.
(4) Thereof €290,000 still to be paid off.
metr operates in a sector undergoing rapid transformation, driven by rising energy costs, and the need to modernize Europe’s aging building stock. With a recurring revenue model, scalable technology, and a strong footprint in the real estate market, metr offers multiple potential exit scenarios over the next 4 to 7 years:
Trade sale to strategic buyers
Large energy utilities, telecom providers, or facility management companies are actively acquiring tech-enabled platforms to expand their service offerings. metr’s plug & play solution, strong customer base, and regulatory alignment make it a strategic fit for players aiming to digitalize building infrastructure. Existing investor networks (e.g. Kachel) also represent potential exit partners.
Acquisition by real estate or metering specialists
CCompanies focused on smart metering, building automation, or real estate portfolio management may see value in metr’s data platform and installed base.
Private equity buyout
metr’s ARR-based model, long-term contracts, and path to profitability make it attractive to mid-market private equity funds with a focus on ESG, climate tech, or real estate innovation.
Initial Public Offering (IPO)
A long-term scenario could include a public listing, especially if metr continues to grow its ARR base, expands internationally, and positions itself as a category leader in PropTech energy efficiency.
This section will be regularly updated with new, project-relevant information as the financing progresses. To be informed about new updates in a timely manner, subscribe to our newsletter..
