IONATE, a London-based DeepTech startup offering the hardware-software backbone for smart electricity grids, has raised €16.3 million in a Series A funding round
The round was led by AlbionVC and joined by a strong syndicate of new strategic investors including “In-Q-Tel (IQT)”, JGC MIRAI Innovation Fund, and institutional investors Santander InnoEnergy Climate Fund and Antares Ventures. Existing shareholders, IQ Capital, Zero Carbon Capital, and Cycle Group also participated in the round.
Matthew Williams IONATE’s Founder & CEO said: “The IONATE team builds extraordinary tech with extraordinary timing. Just as national networks, industrial players and data centers realised how much of their progress depended on modernising their electrical infrastructure, we are ready to help them do exactly that. Resiliency, flexibility, and efficiency are key for our energy systems, and IONATE is uniquely positioned to strengthen all three. We are so excited to have some of the strongest VCs and strategic partners in our corner to realise this impact and begin transforming power globally.”
Founded in 2019 by Luca Mezossy-Dona, Matthew Williams, and Roberto Ricci, IONATE has built a full stack solution that consolidates multiple power system functions into a single, cost-effective device, addressing the shortcomings of traditional offerings. Coordinated by IONATE’s AI-enabled software, they aim to turn passive, old grid into a smart decentralised energy platform needed for the 21st century.
According to IONATE, a grid with IONATE’s tech can on average:
• Handle 33% more distributed energy resources (DERs like solar, EVs, heat pumps, etc.)
• Carry 25% more power without upgrading poles and wires
• Reduce wasted power by 6%
With electricity consumption across the globe expected to double by 2050 (IAEA) and much of the grid infrastructure nearing the end of its life, the market for grid modernisation is vast. The need for this is furthered with recent studies outlining that at least €20.6 trillion needed to be invested in the electricity grid by 2050 to support a net-zero trajectory for the world (BloombergNEF).
With its technical differentiation, IONATE believes it is well-positioned to capture this market; its hardware Hybrid Intelligent Transformer (HIT) replaces old transformers with a smart equivalent that detects, analyses, and resolves power disturbances in real time. The Aurora software platform unlocks network efficiency, renewables hosting capacity, and achieves true smart grid capabilities with AI-enabled control. This combination allows IONATE to offer real-time control and visibility at a lower cost, making it an all-in-one solution for utilities, manufacturers and data centers.
The company is collaborating with energy giant EDP, with Portugal and Spain networks being the first to benefit. It has also scaled its solution for data centers and continues to receive industry recognition including from the NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA).
David Grimm, Partner AlbionVC added: “IONATE is pioneering grid technology that supports the energy and environmental requirements of modern grid infrastructure. Matthew and the team have quickly gained traction with utilities and strategics, showcasing the potential of their innovative full stack hardware-software solution. Their patented technology and first-mover advantage position IONATE to deliver a transformative, long-term product that brings the promise of clean electricity alongside performance requirements.”
The investment will fuel IONATE’s growth across key markets and help launch its US operations.
Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2025/02/deeptech-ionate-raises-e16-3-million-to-modernise-global-power-systems/
