Berlin-based EV charging marketplace Cariqa, which connects EV drivers directly with Charge Point Operators to enable dynamic pricing and eliminate reseller markups, has secured €1 million in a pre-seed funding round from Anthemis Group, Vento, Hatcher+, Techstars, Golden Egg Check, and Plug and Play Tech Center. The funding will be used to establish the world's first consumer-facing EV charging marketplace.
- Founded in 2023 by Mario La Pergola, Issam Tidjani, Stefano Bonetta, and Tamara Ciullo, Cariqa develops a platform that connects Charge Point Operators (CPOs) directly with EV drivers, facilitating transparent pricing and improving utilization for CPOs.
- The platform eliminates unclear pricing and enables CPOs to manage their pricing strategies dynamically, addressing low utilization rates that often compel them to sell energy at discounts to intermediaries.
Our mission is to contribute to the transition to sustainable mobility by creating a fairer and more efficient charging market. We aim to help charge point operators maximize their utilization rates and revenues while ensuring drivers pay a fair and transparent price," CEO of Cariqa, Issam Tidjani, commented.
- In September 2024, Cariqa launched its new marketplace, partnering with CPOs across Europe. The platform gives access to over 420,000 charging stations in 30 countries and includes features such as optimal charge point discovery, EV routing, and detailed consumption models with alerts.
Details of the deal
- The recent funding was secured from New York-based Anthemis Group, an asset management platform that invests in and supports pre-seed to growth-stage startups.
“The EV charging market has reached a point of maturity that friction can be reduced and the relevance of energy service providers has diminished in many markets as EV drivers are demanding more price transparency and charging optionality. We're excited that Cariqa is empowering the EV driver to directly transact with Charge Point Operators (CPOs) via its charging marketplace all the while helping CPOs to expand their margins and increase utilization all over Europe," Principal at Anthemis, Jeremy Brown, commented.
- Other investors include Torino-based VC Vento Ventures, Singapore-based Hatcher+, New York-based Techstars, Golden Egg Check, a venture capital firm that recently closed a €5 million fund to support early-stage startups and Plug and Play.
- The fresh capital will be used to create the world's first consumer-facing EV charging marketplace and to begin Cariqa's rollout throughout Europe.
