Berlin-based climate fintech company Bees & Bears said it has secured €500 million in financing commitments “to support the installation of sustainable energy solutions in private homes across Germany.”
This funding will enable nearly 25,000 photovoltaic systems, heat pumps, energy storage systems, and home electric vehicle chargers to be fitted.
Bees & Bears offers private customers payment plans for these items when installed by independent, predominantly small and medium-sized contractors.
Credit checks are completed within minutes. This financing pledge follows the company’s successful venture capital funding round last year.
“Previously, customers looking to finance their photovoltaic (PV) systems with credit were almost always limited to the major industry players, as they were the only ones offering flexible payment,” said Marius Schondelmaier, co-founder and CEO of Bees & Bears.
“Our solution changes the game by combining deferred payment options with the freedom to work with the contractor of your choice. This levels the playing field for small and medium-sized installers, putting them on equal footing with the industry giants.”
Bees & Bears said it also fills a critical gap for financing banks.
“Simple financing options for climate-friendly home retrofits are a key driver for the success of the energy transition,” said Jakob von Egidy, the other co-founder and CEO of Bees & Bears.
“Traditional banks recognize the size of this market but face challenges with the relatively small loan amounts and customers’ desire for fast approval. We’ve made buying a home solar power system as easy as buying a car.”
Bees & Bears said the latest financing commitments come from “a publicly listed bank based in German-speaking Europe.”
The firm said: “This bank, which is supervised by the European Central Bank, already supports similar business models across Europe and the United States. The financing deal was finalized with the assistance of the renowned law firm Linklaters.”
Jördis Heckt-Harbeck, financing expert at Linklaters, said: “Injecting additional capital on this scale will add significant momentum to the renewable energy sector.
“Moreover, it enables financial institutions to shift toward more sustainable investment profiles. This commitment marks a major milestone in achieving a sustainably financed energy transition.”
Bees & Bears was founded in 2023 by von Egidy and Schondelmaier.