Zaphiro secures CHF 6.4 million to accelerate the deployment of its smart grid solution

19.12.2022

This Series A funding allows Zaphiro to commercialize and grow its solution in new geographies and markets as well as continue to innovate. With SynchroGuard, its smart grid IoT software platform, Zaphiro helps grid operators to tackle the energy transition by mitigating the impact of renewables and electric vehicles on the stability of power distribution grids. The startup participated in Venture Kick in 2017.

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Zaphiro's SynchroGuard provides grid operator with a real-time view of the grid state
So far, Zaphiro Technologies has attracted several well-known power utility customers in Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia. Joining this Series A financing round and contributing a total of CHF 6.4 million are ABB Technology Ventures, a private investor introduced by UBS Growth Advisory, CDP Venture Capital SGR (Corporate Partners I fund – Energy Tech sub-fund), Club degli Investitori, and Excellis. In addition, Zaphiro obtained financial support from the Technology Fund.

Zaphiro's SynchroGuard is the first distribution grid monitoring and automation system leveraging high-speed and time-synchronized measurements from Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) devices, specifically adapted to distribution grids. SynchroGuard uses advanced data analytics to provide full visibility of energy flows and asset status using a minimal number of measurement points, significantly reducing grid operation costs. Using SynchroGuard, faults in the distribution grid can be precisely located in a matter of seconds, helping grid operators to reduce or even prevent blackouts, thus guaranteeing a reliable energy supply. In 2019, the company obtained CHF 1.5 million from AtmosClear to develop and market its power-grid management software.

Paolo Romano, co-founder and CEO of Zaphiro, says: "Modernization of distribution grids is a core aspect of the energy transition. The integration of clean energy sources is massively changing the energy flows and dynamics of distribution grids, generating a strong need for accurate grid monitoring, real-time management of blackouts, and failure prediction."

Lorenzo Zanni, co-founder and COO of Zaphiro, adds: "This is a great recognition for our team and the value our innovative technology provides to our customers. This fundraise [sic] will accelerate the deployment of SynchroGuard, enabling the digitalization and decarbonization of power grids worldwide."


Zaphiro was a participant in the Venture Kick program, winning CHF 10,000 to develop its product in 2017.


Zaphiro Technology's co-founders: Dr. Marco Pignati (CTO), Dr. Paolo Romano (CEO), and Dr. Lorenzo Zanni (COO)
 

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