Gradyent makes heat networks smart and sustainable

The company Gradyent has been around since 2019. “Simply put, we're a kind of smart thermostat”, says Gradyent CEO Hervé Huisman. “But not for the central heating in your apartment, but rather for the very large heating and cooling systems that you see in district heating networks and large industrial sites. Our software ensures these networks run more efficiently and can become more sustainable.”

The idea emerged when Huisman, together with Robert Vrancken, now CTO of Gradyent, looked at the challenges in the energy sector. “More than half of the world's energy consumption goes to heat. And that heating sector is still a network of large installations and pipelines that have been operating the same way for decades. When it comes to innovation and digitalization, a lot of attention goes to electric cars, solar panels, and wind energy.” So, Huisman and Vrancken saw their opportunity in heat.

“More than half of the energy usage is related to heat, so the energy transition is for a large portion a heat transition”, Huisman explains. “Large heat sources like coal and gas plants are being shut down and replaced by a mix of smaller solutions, such as waste heat, geothermal, or solar thermal. This shift brings new challenges. You might get 5 or 10 smaller heat sources in return for 1 large plant. Each has its own manual and limitations.” Gradyent found a way to turn those limitations into opportunities: “Multiple factors, such as electricity prices and expected demand, come together in a kind of puzzle that we solve with our software.”

Michel Laterveer, Business Developer Energy Transition at Rabobank, confirms the importance of this development: “The transition will take decades. But the fact that heat demand plays an important role in this is a given. Companies like Gradyent make an important contribution to the optimal functioning of those networks. This achieves major CO2 savings and cost savings.”

According to Huisman, that's exactly where Gradyent makes a difference. “If you want to have an impact, you have to choose something that is big and that not everyone has already chosen. We have grabbed the biggest underexposed area of the energy transition. We are already the market leader in Europe in this particular area.”

Gradyent's innovation lies in the combination of modern IT and in-depth knowledge of heating systems. “We use all the modern technologies available in 2025”, Huisman explains. “Smart ways to collect data, cloud solutions, high computing power, and AI.”

The heart of their innovation is how they can understand complex systems even with limited data. “For us, it's about water flowing through pipes, steam going from A to B, and all kinds of processes like heating, cooling, and condensation. You need to be able to create a model of the physics that are involved.” The team therefore consists of people who can both develop software and understand technical subjects. “It's physics, improved and calibrated with data from the system.”

“In 2019, we applied for the Rabo Innovation Loan”, Huisman explains. “An important start for us, because we had absolutely nothing in terms of customers or growth.” But thanks to the Startup & Scale-up proposition and broad market knowledge, Rabobank saw Gradyent's potential. Laterveer: “That was decisive in being able to finance them in later stages of the company as well, while they weren't yet profitable. Quite unique for banking institutions.” Laterveer now sees more than just potential: “I see Gradyent as a cornerstone in the heat transition and an inspiration for other parties that come after. What they do is great for the Netherlands. It's a fantastic export product.”

Robbert Lut, who works with Rabobank's Startup & Scale-up team, came into contact with Gradyent already in the early phase. “They align perfectly with the transition we consider important to support. There's little innovation in this area. What makes Gradyent special is that they delivered on their promises from the very beginning. They consistently show they can take the next step.”

“They developed so quickly that they soon outgrew the Rabo Innovation Loan stage”, Lut continues. “Normally, a company remains in that phase longer, but Gradyent quickly gained customers and was able to generate cash flow to support scale-up financing. That speed, combined with their contribution to the energy transition, makes them relatively unique.”

In addition to the innovation loan, Gradyent also utilized other banking products such as pensions, insurance, financial logistics, and support with internationalization. The company has since secured two larger financings in the form of loans. “As a growing company, you're always looking for funding”, Huisman explains. “Preferably funding that doesn't dilute ownership. We looked at alternatives, but Rabobank offers a structure that works for us and continues to work.”

With a recent funding round of 28 million, a new phase begins for Gradyent. “We want to grow aggressively in the coming years”, says Huisman. “Initially in Europe, in the markets where we're already working with district heating networks. We're also looking at opportunities outside Europe, such as in North America.”

Additionally, the company wants to do more in the field of industrial heat. “Our digital solution provides higher efficiency and lower energy costs for companies in, for example, chemicals, the food & beverage sector, or other sectors where a lot of heat is consumed. And this at a time when energy costs are already under intense scrutiny. We have a number of clients in that area, but there's still a lot to be gained in industry.”

Gradyent's goal is to reach the break-even point in the coming years with this funding round. “So that we can stand on our own feet, become profitable, and accelerate the energy transition further with Gradyent.”

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