Investing in Wohnio

Energy efficiency in buildings has never been more urgent. While climate-neutral new buildings are already market standard, the big challenge remains: How can we retrofit the majority of existing building stock to keep up with regulatory standards and climate goals? Across Europe, outdated central heating systems in older buildings are a massive problem leading to excessive energy consumption, increased carbon emissions, and rising costs for tenants and property owners. Poor hydraulic balancing alone can cause buildings to use 15-30% more energy than necessary. With tightening EU regulations and increasing demand for ESG transparency, real estate owners are under pressure to optimize their energy usage.

Enter Wohnio, an Austrian PropTech tackling this challenge head-on. Wohnio monitors and optimizes central heating systems in old buildings, making them more efficient and sustainable. Their technology offers two key improvements:

1. Wohnio improves energy efficiency through automated hydraulic balancing, which optimizes the heating flow in real time, reduces energy waste, and lowers costs.
2. Smart heating control enables remote monitoring and automation, minimizing the need for costly manual interventions by installers.

By leveraging IoT sensors, AI-driven data analysis, and seamless automation, the Viennese startup reduces energy consumption, improves tenant comfort, and simplifies ESG reporting. All while making sustainability a profitable choice for property owners, particularly Austria’s large housing associations.

Why Now? The Market Opportunity

The demand for energy-efficient building solutions is surging, driven by:

• Regulatory Pressure – The EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) mandates higher efficiency standards and penalizes non-compliance.
• Rising Energy Costs – Property owners and real estate investors are urgently seeking ways to cut operational expenses.
• ESG and Transparency – Institutional investors increasingly prioritize sustainability metrics, creating a strong business case for automated energy efficiency solutions.

When we met Kevin Bauer and Gabriel Brandstetter, the two entrepreneurs behind Wohnio, we were impressed by their ability to turn their customer’s problems into a sticky product, their deep technical expertise, and their hands-on approach to execution. With experience at BCG, McKinsey, and Siemens, they bring the right mix of strategic vision and operational know-how. At STYX, we believe in backing entrepreneurs who don’t just follow trends but shape industries. Wohnio’s innovative retrofitting approach aligns with our vision for sustainable urban development. We are excited to support Kevin, Gabriel, and their team as they scale their impact and drive energy efficiency across Europe.

Since our investment, Wohnio has continued to build strong momentum. They have closed major customers in Austria and have built a strong track record of energy saving over the last heating season all while scaling incredibly cash-efficient. The team has grown, bringing in both technical and operational reinforcements to meet increasing demand. Looking ahead, Wohnio is on track to implement their solution with the first clients from Germany over the coming weeks.