Bees & Bears Debt Funding Round, January 2025

German climate fintech Bees & Bears has successfully raised €500 million in its latest funding round, a significant milestone that underscores the growing importance of sustainable energy solutions in Germany. The funding was provided by an unlisted bank based in the DACH region, which operates under the supervision of the European Central Bank.

Founded in 2023 by Jakob von Egidy and Marius Schondelmaier, Bees & Bears focuses on enabling private households in Germany to install sustainable energy solutions. The company’s software facilitates financial transactions for the installation of photovoltaic systems, heat pumps, energy storage systems, and wall boxes. The platform specializes in providing installment payment options, which are offered in collaboration with small and medium-sized tradespeople. The process includes a credit check similar to car financing, allowing customers to adopt these technologies more affordably.

The infusion of capital is expected to drive the installation of over 24,000 energy systems, contributing significantly to Germany’s energy transition efforts. Bees & Bears aims to bridge the gap between private customers seeking financing options and independent installers, empowering smaller tradespeople to compete with larger industry players.

"Until now, private households who wanted to finance their solar system with credit almost inevitably had to choose one of the few large online installers in the industry—because only they could offer payment in installments," explained co-founder and managing director Marius Schondelmaier. He highlighted the uniqueness of Bees & Bears’ solution, which allows customers to combine installment payment options with the installer of their choice. This approach levels the playing field for small and medium-sized installation companies, making them competitive with larger entities.

Co-founder and managing director Jakob von Egidy elaborated on the mutual benefits of the company’s financing model. "Uncomplicated financing options for the climate-friendly conversion of private households are an important key to the success of the energy transition," von Egidy said. He noted that traditional banks often face challenges in addressing this market due to the relatively low loan amounts and the need for rapid approvals. Bees & Bears’ software simplifies this process, enabling banks to participate effectively in the market while making sustainable energy solutions more accessible to consumers.

Von Egidy compared the purchasing process facilitated by Bees & Bears to that of acquiring a car, emphasizing the ease and efficiency it brings to financing solar systems. By streamlining the credit approval process and partnering with local tradespeople, Bees & Bears enhances both customer convenience and the viability of small and medium-sized installers.

The success of this funding round positions Bees & Bears to play a pivotal role in Germany’s energy transition. By providing a seamless, customer-friendly financing solution, the company is not only addressing a critical market need but also contributing to broader efforts to adopt sustainable energy technologies. With the new capital, Bees & Bears is set to expand its impact, making renewable energy installations more accessible and affordable for households across Germany.