Karlsruhe-based firm Pionix, which builds software and hardware for EV charging, has secured over €8 million in a late seed round led by Ascend Capital Partners to scale its open-source-powered products for the global e-mobility industry, as Vestbee was told.
- Launched in 2021 by Marco Möller, Pionix develops software and hardware for electric vehicle charging.
- The company created the EVerest open-source platform, which provides a shared framework for charger manufacturers, operators, automakers, and fleets to improve interoperability and reduce system failures.
- Its ChargeBridge module integrates hardware with the platform, while Pionix Cloud manages and monitors charging infrastructure, allowing different systems to communicate and operate reliably across a fragmented EV charging network.
Details of the deal
- The round was led by Ascend Capital Partners, a cross-border VC firm that backs early-stage deep-tech and mobility startups, providing both funding and strategic support globally.
“We believe Pionix is laying the software rails for the future of EV charging. Their role as initiator and steward of EVerest gives them credibility and leverage to scale globally, and we are excited to support their international growth, particularly as demand rises across Europe and Asia," claims Jerry Hong, CEO of Ascend Capital Partners.
- The investment also saw support from Start-up BW Seed Fonds (managed by MBG Baden-Württemberg), Pale blue dot, Vireo Ventures, Axeleo Ventures, and other investors.
- Pionix will use the €8 million funding to expand its Pionix Cloud backend software for EV chargers and its ChargeBridge plug-and-play hardware module, accelerate the growth of the EVerest open-source ecosystem, and enable faster deployment of reliable, interoperable EV charging infrastructure globally.
