GRYD: UK's Solar Tech Pioneer Secures £1m Pre-Seed Funding

London-based solar technology startup GRYD Energy has successfully raised £1 million in a pre-seed funding round, led by investors Black Seed VC and SFC Capital. The investment is intended to support GRYD's ambitious plans to deploy its innovative zero-cost solar and battery systems nationwide. GRYD has introduced the UK's first subscription model for solar energy, eliminating the need for the upfront hardware costs that have hindered widespread adoption. This model aims to provide a cost-saving solution for developers, with potential savings of up to £10,000 per home. The startup is positioning itself to capture the residential new-build market, with a vision to scale its services to 30,000 homes within three years. CEO Mohamed Gaafar views this funding as essential for growth, enabling further investment in key hires, partnerships, and expansion into new services like flexibility services. A successful pilot project in Cornwall demonstrates their progress, and GRYD's long-term plan includes addressing the UK's growing solar potential while contributing to the country's 2030 clean energy goals.