With the world’s leading education technology investor, Owl Ventures, leading the way, Smalt has raised $4.39 million (€4.1 million) in pre-seed funding to bridge the gap between the shortage of skilled workers in Europe’s green energy sector and the untapped potential of immigrant labour. Smalt is a Berlin-based talent development and services platform that is dedicated to accelerating Europe’s green energy transition.
La Famiglia, Europe’s leading B2B technology investor, led the round alongside Owl Ventures. Other investors included Axel Springer, Porsche Ventures, and a group of reputable angel investors.
Smalt was founded in 2023 with the mission to be the labour supply and productivity engine driving the global energy transition through education, technology, and operational excellence. The platform offers intensive two- to six-week academies that train participants to become certified solar and heat pump installation specialists. The first cohort of graduates has already been put to work installing solar systems across Germany.
To meet the challenge of Europe’s ambitious climate goals, Smalt provides a suite of services that are designed to help large B2B customers such as solar and heat pump OEMs, energy companies, and large green energy asset retailers access high-quality installation services at scale. This includes digitizing the predominantly pen-and-paper process of procuring, installing, and maintaining renewable energy solutions which, in turn, can empower workers to become the engine Europe needs to secure its environmental future.
For teachers, Smalt provides a unique opportunity to leverage the untapped potential of immigrants in their schools and districts. The platform can be used to facilitate the training and development of workers who are looking for better opportunities and to provide the skilled labour needed to accelerate the green energy transition. Teachers can also benefit from the platform’s digital learning technologies that can help them to better understand the installation process and stay up-to-date with the latest trends in renewable energy.
