SolidWatts, a Switzerland-based designer and supplier of solid-state radio frequency generators for dielectric heating in industrial processes, has raised CHF 1.8 million ($2.3 million) in seed funding backed by Evercurious VC, Kickfund, and others. The generators deliver over 85% efficiency, scalable power from 10 kW to megawatts, full digital control, and long service life exceeding 100,000 hours. The capital will scale development to higher power levels and launch pilots with customers in chemicals, pharma, food, and carbon capture.
Industrial Heat Electrification Accelerates
The round closes amid surging investor interest in industrial decarbonization, where process heating consumes 20% of global energy demand per IEA data cited in coverage. Recent funding in the space exceeds €180 million across similar startups. SolidWatts targets electrification of fossil fuel-dependent processes like drying and curing, outperforming legacy vacuum tube systems with 40% efficiency.
Fossil Fuels Dominate Process Heating
Industrial process heating accounts for 20% of global energy use and 10% of CO2 emissions, totaling 3.6 billion tonnes annually according to company messaging. Traditional gas burners and inefficient RF tubes lock in high emissions and costs. Electrifying just 1% of these processes could cut 36 million tonnes of CO2 yearly, equivalent to removing 7.8 million cars from roads per SolidWatts analysis.
Solid-State RF Replaces Vacuum Tubes
SolidWatts' generators use CERN-inspired solid-state technology for precise, volumetric heating in food processing, plastics, and chemicals. Unlike vacuum tubes prone to failure, they offer >85% efficiency and modular scaling to megawatts. Digital impedance matching ensures optimal power delivery, enabling new sustainable processes like green steel production.
CERN Expertise Drives Differentiation
As Dr. Markus Aicheler, co-founder and interim CTO, explained:
“Industrial process heating accounts for around 20% of global energy demand… improving efficiency becomes essential.”
This shift from tubes to transistors unlocks high-power applications previously unfeasible, positioning SolidWatts ahead of incumbents like Crescend Technologies.
Deep Tech VCs Signal Conviction
Evercurious VC and Kickfund led the syndicate, with follow-ons from Axel Carbon Capital and new backers like Uni.Fund and Loggerhead Ventures. These European deep tech specialists back hardware innovations at the climate intersection, as seen in Kickfund's energy portfolio including Cowa Thermal Solutions. The mix validates SolidWatts' path from pre-seed (€850,000 in January 2025) to seed.
Dielectric Heating Market Scales Up
The dielectric heating equipment market stands at $1.5 billion in 2022, projected to reach $2.8 billion by 2030 at 8.5% CAGR per market analysis. Broader industrial electrification hits $43 billion TAM by 2026 according to Coherent Market Insights. Competitors like Found Energy raised $12 million seed for microwave reactors in metals recycling.
CERN Alumni Lead Technical Edge
Co-founder Markus Aicheler brings 15 years in RF accelerators from CERN postdoc and University of Helsinki leadership. Head of Production Matthew Capstick served as CERN Senior Fellow on the CLIC project. This accelerator expertise directly transfers to reliable, high-power RF generation, with Head of Business Development Andrés Cano specializing in deep tech commercialization.
Pilots Target Key Sectors
Funds enable megawatt-scale prototypes and customer pilots in food drying, adhesives, and carbon capture. Recent hiring includes RF engineers and a mechanical role in Greece, signaling European expansion. Baker Hughes selected SolidWatts for its energy transition program, hinting at strategic partnerships.