AI startup Encentive receives 6.3 million euros

16.09.2025

Source: E & M powernews

The Hamburg-based start-up Encentive has received 6.3 million euros from General Catalyst. Its AI platform Flexon controls industrial energy processes automatically.

According to the German government, German industry consumes around 44 percent of all electricity in Germany. Rising energy prices, volatile markets and ambitious climate targets are increasing the pressure on companies to manage their consumption flexibly. Particularly in energy-intensive industries such as paper, food, logistics and materials, optimizing energy flows is the key to competitiveness and security of supply.

The software company Encentive from Neumünster and Hamburg develops solutions for this. With its 'flexOn' platform, industrial companies can control energy processes automatically, avoid peak loads and use storage efficiently. The AI analyzes consumption, in-house generation and market prices in real time and adjusts the systems accordingly. According to the company, this can reduce energy costs by up to 20 percent and CO2 emissions by 30 percent.

According to the company, previous users include Metro Logistics, Dachser and Klingele. The software is used by companies with an annual consumption of at least two million kWh.

Investment in expansion

Encentive has raised 6.3 million euros in a recently completed seed financing round. The round was led by US investor General Catalyst, which has already invested in technology companies such as Parloa, Mistral and Helsing. Other investors include Summiteer, SIVentures, Vireo Ventures, HelloWorld and the entrepreneurs Stefan Müller and Bernhard Niesner.

Encentive intends to use the new capital to strengthen its team with experts from the fields of artificial intelligence and engineering, connect additional systems to its platform and tap into new markets. The aim is to consolidate its own market position and establish Flexon as the standard solution for industrial energy flexibilization, the company announced.

Strategic importance for the industry

"Companies that are not able to control their energy flows automatically and intelligently are jeopardizing their competitiveness," said Encentive COO Torge Lahrsen. The platform makes it possible to react flexibly to the fluctuating availability of renewable energies without significantly changing existing processes.

CEO Nicolas Juhl announced that the software would be made more accessible to major customers in future. An onboarding suite is planned that will allow companies to integrate Flexon independently. Encentive already has a seven-figure order volume from the core industries.

Investor sees industrial change

General Catalyst Partner Robin Dechant explained that energy has become a key competitive factor for European industrial companies. Encentive's platform turns this risk factor into an opportunity by reducing costs and using renewable energy. The team's ability to combine modern AI with industrial requirements is crucial.

Author: Susanne Harmsen