ATLANTA, GA - Aug 07, 2025 - Wattch, an Atlanta, Georgia-based cleantech startup founded in 2023, announced on August 5, 2025, that it has secured $6 million in a seed funding round to advance its Grid Edge platform for renewable energy systems. Led by Spero Ventures, with participation from cybersecurity pioneer Christopher Klaus, former GE Power CEO Steve Bolze, and Helioscope founder Paul Grana, the round also welcomed Tesla co-founder Marc Tarpenning and Cherry Street Energy founder Michael Chanin to Wattch’s board of directors. The funding will accelerate Wattch’s mission to transform how developers, utilities, and independent power producers manage and optimize energy assets in solar, battery storage, and hydroelectric applications, capitalizing on the $2 trillion clean energy market.
The $6 million seed round, led by Spero Ventures, marks Wattch’s first major funding milestone. Spero Ventures, known for backing mission-driven startups, was joined by prominent energy and tech investors, including Christopher Klaus (founder of Internet Security Systems), Steve Bolze (former GE Power CEO), and Paul Grana (Helioscope founder). The funds will support:
- Market Expansion: Entry into the grid-scale battery storage market, projected to reach $15 billion by 2027.
- Product Development: Enhancement of Wattch’s Energy Management System (EMS) with advanced control features.
- Team Growth: Expansion of engineering and project implementation teams to drive customer acquisition.
Marc Tarpenning and Michael Chanin’s addition to the board strengthens Wattch’s strategic direction, leveraging their expertise in scaling innovative energy solutions.
| Funding Round | Amount | Year | Lead Investors | Supporting Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seed | $6M | 2025 | Spero Ventures | Christopher Klaus, Steve Bolze, Paul Grana |
Wattch’s Technology
Wattch’s platform integrates cloud-based software with connected hardware to deliver observability, intelligence, and control for renewable energy systems. Key features include:
- Real-Time Monitoring: Granular visibility into asset performance for proactive maintenance.
- Intelligent Controls: AI-driven analytics to optimize energy production and consumption, improving efficiency by up to 20%.
- Interoperability: Seamless integration across solar, battery storage, and hydroelectric systems.
- Grid Edge Capabilities: Enhances grid reliability by supporting distributed energy resources.
The platform targets commercial and distribution-scale projects, with applications in solar, battery storage, and hydroelectric systems. Wattch’s focus on transparency and interoperability aims to unify energy device ecosystems, addressing inefficiencies in fragmented systems. Early customers report reduced downtime and improved performance.
Leadership and Expertise
Led by CEO Alex Nussey, Wattch’s team combines expertise in renewable energy, software engineering, and grid operations. Nussey’s vision is to “make every energy device transparent and controllable.” The board additions of Marc Tarpenning, with experience scaling Tesla, and Michael Chanin, founder of Cherry Street Energy, enhance Wattch’s ability to navigate the cleantech landscape.
Industry Impact and Challenges
The clean energy market is growing rapidly, with global solar capacity expected to reach 1.3 terawatts by 2027. Wattch’s platform addresses inefficiencies in managing distributed energy resources, reducing costs and improving grid reliability. However, competition from players like Enphase Energy and Schneider Electric, as well as integration complexities, pose challenges. Wattch mitigates these through its interoperable platform and partnerships with utilities.
Stakeholder Perspectives
Alex Nussey stated, “This funding accelerates our mission to bring transparency and intelligence to renewable energy systems.” Marc Tarpenning added, “Wattch’s platform is uniquely positioned to meet the growing complexity of grid-edge energy management.” These statements highlight Wattch’s potential to drive cleantech innovation.
Future Outlook
Wattch plans to launch enhanced EMS features in Q2 2026, targeting grid-scale battery storage and hydroelectric applications. Strategic partnerships with utilities will drive adoption. As the cleantech sector navigates policy uncertainties, Wattch’s focus on efficiency positions it for growth.
