Boldr raises $5M for residential grid capacity

UK energy management startup Boldr has raised $5 million in a pre-Series A round to expand its technology for connecting residential energy equipment and turning it into flexible capacity for the power grid. The round was led by Unconventional Ventures, with participation from Ada Ventures, Tetrad Ventures, Davidovs Venture Collective, Roxbury Asset Management, Inclimo Climate Tech Fund, Prosegur, Techstars, S20 Fund and strategic investors from the North American HVAC industry. This funding follows a $3.2 million oversubscribed seed round that the company raised last year.

Leveraging contractor networks

Boldr is developing an energy management platform that connects equipment inside homes, starting with heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Its technology is designed to enable devices such as heating and cooling systems, batteries, EV chargers and solar installations to collectively provide flexible energy capacity by adjusting demand when required by the grid. The company is initially focusing on HVAC, which is one of the largest sources of residential energy consumption in the US.

Rather than targeting homeowners directly, Boldr works with HVAC contractors that already install, maintain and replace heating and cooling equipment. This strategy positions them as the deployment and service network for the technology. Madi Ablyazov, CEO and co-founder of Boldr, stated that the next power plant will not be one building but millions of homes working together. Ablyazov noted that reaching this goal requires the contractors who already service and replace the equipment controlling energy inside the home, rather than a consumer app alone.

Software capabilities and grid flexibility

Boldr's smart thermostats and connected controls are designed to work across a range of heating and cooling systems. Its software platform provides contractors with visibility into installed equipment. This allows them to identify potential issues, manage servicing and maintenance, and maintain relationships with customers throughout the lifetime of the equipment. By connecting these systems, Boldr aims to enable homes to participate in distributed energy networks.

During periods of high electricity demand, connected equipment could be coordinated to reduce or shift consumption. This gives grid operators additional flexibility without relying solely on new centralised generation and transmission infrastructure. The company has secured nationwide distribution partnerships with HVAC brands and supply houses, including Bosch-owned Source 1 and Daikin, providing access to contractor networks across the US.

Future expansion plans

The funding will be used to expand Boldr's technology beyond ductless HVAC controls into residential and light commercial central HVAC systems. The company also intends to accelerate product development and grow its partnerships and distribution network across North America. Over time, Boldr plans to extend its platform beyond HVAC to other residential energy assets, including batteries, EV chargers and solar systems. The longer-term goal is to connect these distributed assets into a network that can collectively manage energy demand and provide flexible capacity to the grid.