Clean-tech startup ViriCiti raises €700,000 to accelerate international expansion
Mainport Innovation Fund II (KLM, Schiphol Group, Delft University of Technology, Port of Amsterdam, NS Dutch Railways) and Breesaap Green Link invest in ViriCiti, an online platform to increase the performance of commercial electric vehicles.
This morning, ViriCiti announced an investment of €700,000 by Mainport Innovation Fund II and Breesaap Green Link. ViriCiti offers a cloud-based monitoring system that allows electric buses and trucks to drive further, increase uptime and run more reliable at lower costs. The investment follows the expansion of ViriCiti across Europe and the US, equipping electric fleets for global customers such as BYD, Proterra and Optare. The ViriCiti platform is already in use by operators in 12 different countries. The purpose of the investment is to accelerate international expansion to keep up with the increasing demand in a fast growing market.
In public transport and logistics, accuracy and availability is key. The ViriCiti platform collects huge amounts of data from electric vehicles, such as buses and trucks, and translates this data into actionable insights for bus operators, OEMs and public transport authorities. The data can be used to increase vehicle performance, make scheduling more accurate and perform preventive maintenance. This ensures a more reliable operation of electric vehicles, which leads to a larger deployment of EVs and eventually more sustainability in transport and logistics.
"We joined ViriCiti and bus manufacturer BYD for the operation of 35 e-buses on the Schiphol platform. This fits the ambition of Schiphol Group to become the best digital airport in 2018, as well as our continuous search for innovative solutions that enable us to increase sustainability. We are proud to contribute to the future success of ViriCiti through Mainport Innovation Fund II."
"We are very happy to close this deal with MIF II and Breesaap GL. With their knowledge, network and business experience, we will be able to accelerate our development and grow our salesforce faster than before. We are already market leader in Europe and North-America and with this investment we will expand our international presence even more."
"ViriCiti perfectly matches the ambition of our fund; to accelerate innovation in transport, logistics and aviation. As of our first meeting with the team, they have impressed us with their understanding of the business and ability to close deals with leading international players in the early days of a market that is growing rapidly. We are proud to support ViriCiti on its global journey."
About Mainport Innovation Fund II
MIF II was founded in 2015 by KLM, Schiphol, TU Delft, NS and Port of Amsterdam, together with NBI Investors − the manager of the fund. MIF II helps entrepreneurs accelerate by combining VC funding with the expertise and global network of its partners. See www.mainportinnovationfund.nl and nbi-investors.nl for additional information.
About Breesaap Green Link
Breesaap is an investor in cleantech companies, with a focus on clean energy and mobility.
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Note for editors
For more information about ViriCiti visit www.viriciti.com, or check out our pressroom for more articles.
Media contacts:
Mainport Innovation Fund II:
Thijs Gitmans
thijs.gitmans@mainportinnovationfund.nl
+31 (0)6 341 88 413
ViriCiti:
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Download PDFAbout ViriCiti
ViriCiti, founded in 2012, offers a cloud-based monitoring system to improve electric vehicle operations. ViriCiti believes that online energy management is the missing link to full adoption of electric city buses and trucks. By monitoring and analyzing data from electric vehicles up to millisecond level, real-time information on the use, condition and performance of the vehicle can be provided. With these insights, electric city buses and trucks run further, more reliable and at lower cost.