Depotcharge raises US$2.9M (~€2.7M) in pre‑seed funding round
xdeckCompany
Kopa VenturesInvestor
Munich‑based Depotcharge secured US$2.9M (~€2.7M) in a pre‑seed round led by High‑Tech Gründerfonds, with participation from xdeck Ventures, Kopa Ventures, Prequel Ventures and several business angels. The capital will fund the rollout of its shared electric‑truck charging network across Europe. The raise underscores growing investor interest in SaaS platforms that unlock idle depot infrastructure for the e‑freight market.
Depotcharge raised US$2.9M (~€2.7M) in a pre‑seed funding round on September 15, 2026, led by High‑Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) and joined by xdeck Ventures, Kopa Ventures, Prequel Ventures and a group of logistics‑focused angels. The infusion will be used to accelerate international expansion and deepen product development for the company’s shared electric‑truck charging platform.
Deal Terms
The round, classified as a pre‑seed venture round, totals US$2.9M. HTGF acted as the lead investor, while the other venture firms contributed undisclosed amounts. No valuation or revenue multiples were disclosed in the announcement. In addition to the capital, Depotcharge announced a strategic partnership with the Bundesverband Güterkraftverkehr Logistik und Entsorgung (BGL e.V.) to launch BGL Charge, a shared charging network for Germany’s road‑freight sector.
Platform Overview
Depotcharge’s SaaS solution aggregates unused charging capacity at logistics depots and makes it available to other fleets through a marketplace‑style interface. Operators retain control over pricing, access rules and availability, while Depotcharge handles access control, invoicing and payment processing. The platform is hardware‑agnostic and integrates with existing transport management systems via open APIs, enabling seamless reservation of charging slots alongside dispatch planning.
The BGL Charge initiative extends this model to an industry association, allowing member companies to open idle depot chargers to a broader network while retaining pricing autonomy. Early adopters such as E.L.V.I.S. AG are already pooling demand through the cooperative, creating a two‑sided market that could reduce reliance on expensive public fast‑charging stations.
Depotcharge plans to use the new funding to add reservation capabilities, expand open‑interface integrations, and push into adjacent European markets where electric truck adoption is accelerating. The company’s approach positions it as a SaaS‑first layer that monetizes existing infrastructure, a model that could be replicated across other heavy‑duty vehicle segments.
Why It Matters
The capital raise gives Depotcharge the runway to scale its network beyond Germany, directly challenging incumbent hardware‑centric charging providers that have limited SaaS capabilities. By offering a marketplace that lets depot owners set their own terms, Depotcharge can capture margin on otherwise idle assets, forcing traditional charging operators to reconsider pricing and access models.
For logistics firms, the expanded BGL Charge network reduces total cost of ownership for electric trucks by providing lower‑priced, on‑site charging options. Competitors that rely solely on public fast‑charging stations may see reduced utilization, prompting them to develop similar SaaS layers or partner with platform providers. Investors see the round as validation that a pure‑software approach to e‑freight infrastructure can attract both capital and industry partnership, potentially accelerating consolidation in the niche.
Key Points
- Depotcharge closed a US$2.9M (~€2.7M) pre‑seed round led by High‑Tech Gründerfonds.
- Participating investors include xdeck Ventures, Kopa Ventures, Prequel Ventures and logistics‑focused angels.
- The funding will support international expansion and product enhancements such as reservation APIs.
- Depotcharge partnered with BGL e.V. to launch BGL Charge, a shared charging network for German road freight.
- The platform enables depot owners to monetize idle charger capacity while remaining hardware‑agnostic.
Analysis
The pre‑seed raise places Depotcharge at the forefront of a nascent SaaS niche that decouples charging infrastructure from hardware ownership. While the post‑money valuation was not disclosed, a US$2.9M seed round typically implies a valuation in the low‑double‑digit millions, aligning with other early‑stage logistics SaaS deals. The capital injection arrives as European freight operators accelerate electric‑truck rollouts, creating a supply‑side gap where depot chargers sit idle for large portions of the day. By layering a marketplace and billing engine on top of existing hardware, Depotcharge offers a repeatable revenue model based on transaction fees and subscription tiers, a structure that appeals to investors seeking recurring‑revenue businesses.
The partnership with BGL e.V. also signals a broader industry shift toward association‑driven platforms that aggregate demand and supply, reducing friction for members and creating network effects. For SaaS operators, the deal underscores the appetite for vertical solutions that address specific pain points—here, the economics of depot charging. Investors may look to replicate this model in other heavy‑duty segments such as rail or maritime, where underutilized assets can be monetized through software. Overall, the round validates the market hypothesis that a pure‑software layer can unlock hidden value in the e‑freight ecosystem and may catalyze further consolidation among charging‑hardware firms seeking SaaS capabilities.