Novo

What Novo does

Novo is a Berlin-based digital platform that accelerates residential energy renovation in Germany by replacing weeks-long waits for certified energy consultants with a self-service workflow. Homeowners use the free Schnellcheck online calculator to input building data themselves, after which Novo's certified energy consultants produce an individual Sanierungsfahrplan (iSFP) — a German regulatory renovation roadmap priced from €995 — and handle applications for KfW and BAFA government subsidies (starting at €250 per application). The platform monetizes through these fee-based professional services on top of a freemium funnel, with subsidies potentially covering up to 40% of renovation costs for the end customer.

The underlying technology is a digital self-capture and assessment platform rather than a hardware product; it structures building data input, accelerates expert consultation, and embeds German subsidy-program logic (KfW/BAFA) directly into the user journey. Distribution runs through a direct-to-consumer website (novo.eco) with a product-led growth motion, complemented by a B2B partner program ('Mein Cockpit') serving property managers and housing companies for portfolio-scale assessments.

The company was founded in 2022 by two women founders, operates remotely across Germany and Europe with a team spanning 7 nationalities and 1–10 employees, and has raised approximately €1.15M to date across a 2022 Antler pre-seed, a €1M round from 2bX and Citizen Capital in September 2023, and 2024 support from the Joint Innovation Accelerator for Sustainable Finance. It has been recognized among the Top 50 startups in the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action's 'Digitale Innovationen' competition and is an Xathon Henkel Award recipient.

Name

Novo

Legal name

Novo

Website

https://novo.eco

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Novo is a German digital platform that helps homeowners plan and execute energy renovations faster by combining self-service building assessment, certified expert-produced Sanierungsfahrpläne (iSFP), and KfW/BAFA subsidy application handling.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Energy Consultation Services: Free initial quick-check calculator and fee-based professional renovation roadmap (Sanierungsfahrplan/iSFP) generation by certified energy consultants
2. Grant Application Services: Fee-based service for preparing and submitting KfW and BAFA subsidy applications on behalf of customers

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Novo operates a digital platform that lets homeowners and B2B partners self-capture building information, after which certified energy consultants deliver an individual renovation roadmap (Sanierungsfahrplan / iSFP) and handle applications for German state subsidies (KfW and BAFA). The core commercial offerings are the fee-based iSFP (starting at €995) and the subsidy-application service (starting at €250), with a free Schnellcheck online calculator used as a lead-generation entry point.

Product overview

Novo operates as a digital platform for energy-efficient building renovation in Germany. The offering consists of three integrated services: a free Schnellcheck online calculator for instant building energy assessment, a Sanierungsfahrplan (iSFP) at 995€ for certified renovation roadmaps created by energy consultants, and Förderanträge at 250€+ for government subsidy application assistance (KfW and BAFA). The platform follows a four-step process: self-assessment of building data, selection of renovation variants, creation of the iSFP by certified experts, and securing of funding.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Schnellcheck (Quick Check) Free online calculator that instantly estimates a building's current energy status and potential for improvement, providing an initial assessment without requiring personal data. Functions as the top-of-funnel lead generator for Novo's paid renovation services and is targeted at individual homeowners.
• Sanierungsfahrplan (iSFP) Individual renovation roadmap (iSFP) created by certified energy consultants starting at €995. Provides a comprehensive overview of which renovation measures are most cost-effective, enables users to start renovation, and qualifies them for the additional iSFP funding bonus. Targeted at homeowners of residential properties, particularly older buildings.
• Förderanträge (Subsidy Application Service) Service starting at €250 that navigates German government funding bureaucracy and submits applications for appropriate KfW and BAFA subsidies on behalf of customers. Can also process applications for customers who already have an existing renovation plan. Targeted at homeowners seeking to cover up to 40% of renovation costs via state subsidies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Energy savings of 20,900 kWh/year per household
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• KfW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau)coreOthersGerman state-owned development bank providing subsidized loans and grants for energy efficiency renovations. NOVO integrates KfW funding options into their platform and helps customers apply for these subsidies.
• BAFA (Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle)coreOthersGerman Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control providing subsidies for energy consulting and building renovations. NOVO handles BAFA subsidy applications for customers as part of their service.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• co2online: co2online is a German non-profit offering digital energy consulting tools for homeowners, including heating checks and modernization assessments. It is a direct peer to Novo in digital self-service energy consulting for residential customers, with similar product-led top-of-funnel tools and overlapping use cases.
• Verbraucherzentrale Energieberatung: The German consumer protection agency's energy consulting arm provides subsidized or free energy advice to homeowners across Germany. It directly competes with Novo for the same customer segment and service category (energy consultation and renovation roadmap generation), with strong institutional credibility.
• Energieheld: Energieheld is a German online platform connecting homeowners with certified energy consultants and craftsmen for renovation projects. It is a direct competitor in the digital energy consulting marketplace space, helping homeowners navigate renovation planning and execution.
• BuildingMinds: BuildingMinds is a building energy data and analytics platform serving commercial real estate portfolios. It is directly comparable to Novo's B2B partner program (Mein Cockpit) for property managers and housing companies seeking bulk energy renovation assessment and portfolio optimization.

Broad incumbents

• Thermondo: Thermondo is a German heat pump and heating installation specialist serving homeowners with end-to-end renovation services. It addresses the same homeowner pain point (energy renovation) with a broader offering that includes execution, whereas Novo focuses on the assessment and subsidy application stage.
• Enpal: Enpal is a German solar leasing and heat pump subscription provider for homeowners, offering fully integrated energy renovation solutions. It is a broad incumbent competing for the same German homeowner audience with a much wider service portfolio and stronger brand recognition.
• 1Komma5°: 1Komma5° is a German platform offering heat pump, solar, and EV charging solutions to homeowners with an integrated operating system ('heartbeat'). It competes with Novo for homeowner attention in the German energy renovation market with a broader execution-led offering.

Emerging players

• Kiwigrid: Kiwigrid is a German white-label energy management platform for utilities and energy companies, providing digital infrastructure for energy data and device orchestration. It shares Novo's digital platform DNA for energy applications but operates at a different layer (B2B platform infrastructure vs. B2C consulting).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Novo