metr

Company profile

metr, a pioneer with first-mover footprint for buildings energy efficiency, started in 2016 by delivering R&D services to major housing associations before switching the business model to commercialization of its own software and hardware in 2021. The company is led by an experienced team, including three experienced company founders and backed by German investors. As a result, metr built up an outstanding access to and knowledge of the real estate market.

The challenge:
Due to growing regulations, rising interest rates and increasing energy prices, landlords struggle to profitably manage real estate. Indeed, the real estate sector accounts for around 40% of all energy consumption in the EU, whereby 80% of the energy is used in the operating phase of buildings for heating & cooling. At the same time, most buildings are “low-tech” and still not energy-efficient. This leads to high energy bills, putting increasing financial pressure on tenants. Moreover, high interest rates, stricter regulations and increasing pressure to comply with environmental regulations and costly renovations reduce real estate yields for landlords.

metr’s solution:
By combining AI-powered software with an easy-to-install multi-functional gateway (m-gate) that reads out all kind of controllers of heating systems and connects them to the cloud, metr brings transparency and control to energy consumption. The platform detects inefficiencies across all kinds of heating manufacturers, recommends actions, and automates key processes like heating optimization and hydraulic balancing.

The result:
Up to 35% energy savings, lower CO₂ emissions, and up to 50% operational cost reductions – advanced technology used by building operators in 3,600 buildings already. metr is trusted by major players like Deutsche Telekom, Heimstaden, Median hospitals and the German Red Cross, and is now ready to scale across Europe.

Company Info 

Products and services

How does it work?

metr combines connected hardware and AI-powered software to deliver energy savings and consumption transparency to any building - no matter how old or complex.

1. Plug & play installation
Installation of the gateway takes just as little as 15 minutes. The connection to the heating system is also quick to implement and only takes 1 to 2 hours.

2. Real-time energy data
The gateway automatically transmits consumption data (electricity, gas, heat, water) as well as operation data of the heating systems to the cloud. metr’s platform collects and visualizes all this data in one easy-to-use dashboard.

3. AI-driven optimization
The software optimizes heating systems directly, adjusting flow temperatures based on weather forecasts and indoor sensor data. Moreover, it detects anomalies, malfunctions, and energy waste - and provides automated recommendations.

4. Compliance & cost savings
metr enables landlords to meet legal requirements like the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and reduces the need for on-site inspections. The result: lower energy bills for tenants, fewer CO₂ emissions and more transparency and thus additional cost savings for building owners and tenants.
 

Business model

metr operates a subscription-based business model designed for financial stability, scalability, predictability, and long-term customer relationships. The products are offered to property owners or building operators over a contract lifetime of up to 10 years either as modular Software-as-a-Service or as Equipment-as-a-Service model (including on-site installation, software update over-the-air, maintenance and financing). The subscription fee makes up to maximal 50% of the energy cost savings, creating a financial win-win situation for both tenants and landlords.

metr covers different financial-stable customer segments:

• housing associations,
• industrial companies,
• private building owners

Customers can choose between different products - such as heating monitoring, AI-powered heating optimization, smart metering, or automated hydraulic balancing. The model supports both upselling and cross-selling over time, as customers scale or want to add functionality.

metr markets its products via a direct sales team and through a network of selected B2B sales partners with a strong access to real estate owners.

The entry barriers in the real estate market are high: needs for credentials for outstanding service quality, full-service offering, access to asset financing. This makes it difficult for incumbents or new players to enter the market.

With its unique technology, proven track record of large-scale deployments and trusted partnerships with leading housing companies, metr has already secured a strong foothold, giving it a clear competitive edge in expanding further.

Market

Energy efficiency is one of the most pressing challenges in the real estate sector - especially in Europe, where buildings are responsible for roughly 40% of total energy consumption*. Most of this energy is wasted in older, low-tech buildings without digital monitoring or control systems.

metr targets exactly this underserved segment: multi-tenant residential and commercial buildings that lack building management systems (BMS). In Germany alone, this includes:

• 3.2 million residential buildings
• 2 million commercial buildings

Together, these account for around 90% of the total building stock, according to metr’s internal analysis.

Based on metr’s market assessment, the total addressable market for building energy efficiency and transparency in Europe is estimated at more than €110 billion annually, including:

• ~€87 billion in energy efficiency services
• ~€31 billion in energy transparency and data solutions

metr competes in a fragmented market, but differentiates itself through:

1. The broadest product portfolio from smart metering to AI-based heating optimization and automated hydraulic balancing, which makes it possible to maximize energy efficiency without renovation.
2. It’s broad manufacturer-independent compatibility, which also includes proprietary protocols that still make out 80% of the market.
3. Its innovative technology for e.g. the AI-based heating optimization (patent pending) and the automated hydraulic balancing (patent pending).

While most competitors focus on individual features or require costly integrations, metr offers a fully integrated, plug & play solution that is easier to adopt and scale. As a result, metr offers the best energy saving to price ratio on the market.

With expansion into other EU markets planned from 2026, metr is well positioned to scale into a growing, regulation-driven market.

*Source: European Commission – Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)

Management

Company structure

metr Building Management Systems GmbH is an independent PropTech scale-up based in Berlin, Germany. The company is not part of a corporate group and operates as a standalone entity in the real estate technology sector.

Founded in 2016, metr has gradually expanded its operations, customer base, and team to become a leading player in the field of building energy efficiency. The company is registered as a limited liability company (GmbH) under German law.

Distribution of company shares

metr is backed by a strong consortium of institutional and strategic investors who support metr’s long-term vision and contribute to expertise in technology, real estate, and growth financing.

The company’s shares are distributed across several experienced investors, all with a long-term interest in building scalable, impact-driven ventures. The following major shareholdings are presented on a fully-diluted base:

• Management Team incl. VSOP pools - 29.0 %
• NBT AG (Next Big Thing) - 16.6%
  A Berlin-based investment company focusing on building and investing into digital transformation business models and the transition toward the Machine Economy.
• IBB Capital GmbH - 16.5%
  The investment arm of the state of Berlin, focused on financing innovation and sustainability. IBB Capital supports metr not only with funding but also with deep local knowledge and public funding networks.
• Kachel GmbH (WIKA Alexander Wiegand SE & Co. KG) - 15.3%
  The investment arm of a German hidden champion in the field of industrial measurement technology who produces over 50 million sensors a year. WIKA brings measurement technology expertise to metr.
• BraWo Capital GmbH - 7.6%
  A private investment company supporting SME growth in Germany. BraWo Capital is part of the BraWo Group, one of Germany's largest cooperative bank with strategic real estate interests.

These investors, alongside early business angels and founders, continue to support metr’s growth, with several parties having already paid additional capital for the current funding round.

The benefit of this diversified and experienced shareholder base is clear: metr combines the agility of a scale-up with the strategic backing of institutional investors and secures excellent growth opportunities with this network of big shareholders. This ensures not only financial stability, but also operational credibility and support for future expansion - both in Germany and across Europe.

While Dr. Franka Birke currently holds 6.23% of shares directly and indirectly, a governance agreement with NBT ensures that she retains at least 10% of voting rights. This safeguards the founding team’s influence and strategic continuity in key decisions.

Use of funds

Depending on the amount raised in the current financing round, metr will prioritize different activities. The funds will be used to accelerate growth, and prepare for international expansion.

Note: All funding amounts are marked with “~” to indicate nearest-rounding. This approach is used to provide a transparent and accessible overview for investors, without implying precise or fixed budget allocations.

Actual and planned figures

Get an insight into metr's financial figures, such as turnover and earnings development. Learn more about the growth forecast.

metr currently generates an annual booked recurring revenue of €2.2 million. A continued expansion within Germany and the start of the preparations for an international rollout in 2026 will contribute to a steady month-over-month growth of revenue. The majority of customer contracts are multi-year and based on a recurring revenue model, creating predictable and scalable revenue streams.

In the European SaaS and PropTech landscape, valuation multiples typically range between 5x and 12x ARR, depending on growth, profitability, and market positioning. metr’s multiple is within this range and is further supported by anchor commitments from existing institutional investors.

metr operates in a sector undergoing rapid transformation, driven by rising energy costs, and the need to modernize Europe’s aging building stock. With a recurring revenue model, scalable technology, and a strong footprint in the real estate market, metr offers multiple potential exit scenarios over the next 4 to 7 years:

Investment related documents

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Note:

In this update section you will find new, project-relevant information that we receive.

Invesdor does not conduct a separate review of information received after the start of the financing phase.

Update from 18. September 2025:
metr KPI Overview – Growth, Impact and Outlook

The latest overview highlights metr’s strong growth in recent years – and the potential projected for the years ahead.

• Revenue growth: Since 2022, average annual revenue growth (CAGR) has been 57%. Recurring booked revenue already amounts to €2.2 million.
• Scaling: Around 3,600 buildings are currently under contract – clear evidence of market demand and the scalability of the business model.
• Energy efficiency: metr’s technology enables energy cost reductions of up to 35% in buildings.
• Climate impact: More than 41,000 tonnes of CO₂ have already been saved through the use of these solutions.

The financial plan foresees a transition to profitability (positive EBITDA) from 2027 onwards. By 2030, revenue is expected to reach around €80 million – accompanied by increasing margins.

The picture is clear: metr combines climate protection and energy efficiency with strong growth and a solid outlook for sustainable profitability.

Update from 12.09.2025: metr wins the PropTech Germany Award 2025

In the category Energy Efficiency, the award went to metr Building Management Systems GmbH. The Berlin-based company has developed an IoT platform that connects, monitors, and optimizes heating and building technology. This enables a significant reduction in energy consumption and CO₂ emissions in existing buildings - with pilot projects already demonstrating heating cost savings of up to 35%.

The award highlights metr’s innovative strength and relevance: energy efficiency is considered a key factor in decarbonizing the building stock, and metr provides a scalable solution that benefits both the real estate industry and tenants.

For investors, this recognition is a further confirmation of metr’s business model and market potential. Through the ongoing financing round on Invesdor, there is an opportunity to participate in an award-winning technology company in the growing PropTech sector.

Dr. Franka Birke: PropTech for climate-neutral cities

metr CEO Dr. Franka Birke was a guest on the German podcast So techt Deutschland, where she explained how digital solutions can cut energy waste in buildings and why PropTech is a key driver for the cities of tomorrow.

🎧 Listen to the full episode (in German)

Read the full transcript excerpt below:

Frauke Holzmeier:
"You studied and worked in Berlin, helped build a Cleantech accelerator at Euref Campus, and have been in the startup scene for over 18 years, focusing on PropTech. What exactly is PropTech?"

Franka Birke:
"PropTech means using technology to digitally transform real estate. It covers the full building lifecycle, at metr we focus on operational efficiency - optimizing energy use, costs, and overall building management, especially in residential buildings."

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Andreas Laukat:
"And your company, metr - does the name relate to Smart Meters?"

Franka Birke:
"Partly, yes. It’s about energy data collection. We pronounce it like the German word “Mieter” (tenant) because we focus to a large scale on rental housing and benefits for tenants."

---

Andreas Laukat:
"How does sustainability tie into PropTech?"

Franka Birke:
"Demolition and rebuilding emit more CO₂ than modernizing. Some startups focus on reusing materials. Our focus is on the operating phase of buildings - making heating systems and energy use more efficient, which enables us to reduce CO₂ emissions."

---

Frauke Holzmeier:
"What problem did you see when founding metr?"

Franka Birke:
"A huge amount of energy is wasted in multi-family buildings. Many heating systems are outdated and up to 80% still run on factory settings and waste energy, something no one can afford these days. We monitor and optimize them remotely, regardless of the manufacturer. This saves energy, CO₂ emissions and reduces costs for tenants."

---

Andreas Laukat:
"How do you convince large housing companies to adopt your technology?"

Franka Birke:
"In the beginning we set up research partnerships with housing companies. Housing companies had the challenges, we had the tech to solve them. Digital monitoring gives them transparency across their portfolio without sending a technician to each building, which saves them high operating costs. Recent energy crises and EU regulations make this even more urgent."

---

Frauke Holzmeier:
"As a tenant, would I notice the difference?"

Franka Birke:
"Yes, you’d see lower heating costs. Our system adjusts heating based on weather forecasts. We ensure that the heating curve does not rise as sharply as in the factory settings when we know that the sun will be shining in a few hours. Tenants do not experience any loss of comfort, as we make use of the storage capacities of the building façade."

---

Andreas Laukat:
"How do you handle installation at scale?"

Franka Birke:
"For pilot projects, our small operations team installs the devices. For rollouts in hundreds of buildings, we train service partners or the housing company’s own technicians. Our IoT gateway is simple to install - just plug in, connect, and it works across all common heating systems."

---

Frauke Holzmeier:
"How advanced are smart buildings in Germany right now?"

Franka Birke:
"What we see are mostly individual applications - smart doors, locks, elevators, heating, and digital communication between tenants and landlords. Smart meters are improving, but full smart buildings that autonomously optimize energy across systems and proactively communicate their operating conditions aren’t common yet. The first step is collecting reliable data from existing buildings, then comes the optimization, then the communication with other buildings to form a smart city."

---

Andreas Laukat:
"And the future of rental buildings?"

Franka Birke:
"Think of them like the development of smartphones. Buildings once served only as shelter, a place to work and live. In the future, they’ll offer energy efficiency, solar energy, charging stations, car sharing, and more smart use cases. The conversion of existing buildings are the priority - 90% of the housing stock is old, and 80% of them will exist in 50 years, so optimizing them offers the biggest impact to reach climate neutral cities. New buildings are easier to design for efficiency, but most CO₂ savings come from modernizing existing ones."

---

Frauke Holzmeier:
"Can Germany realistically meet its CO₂ targets?"

Franka Birke:
"It’s challenging, but possible. With EU regulations, CO₂ pricing, and technology adoption, major milestones can be reached by 2030. Buildings are a huge lever, and solutions already exist."

---

Andreas Laukat:
"So metr is a key part of that?"

Franka Birke:
"Yes. We provide transparency, remote optimization, and data-driven energy management. Tenants save costs, CO₂ emissions are reduced, and housing companies can plan for the future efficiently."

This podcast underscores metr’s role as a central player in Europe’s energy transition - addressing outdated heating systems, reducing emissions, and creating scalable impact across millions of existing buildings.