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§ Private Profile · Renens, Switzerland
Zaphiro Technologies is a technology company.
Zaphiro Technologies develops smart grid solutions, specifically a real-time monitoring and automation system called SynchroGuard. This system leverages IEEE C37.118 compliant Distribution-Phasor Measurement Unit (D-PMU) technology to optimize power grid operations. Their software-defined approach enhances the efficiency and profitability of electricity distribution grids through advanced monitoring and control capabilities.
Zaphiro Technologies was founded in 2017 by Paolo Romano, Lorenzo Zanni, and Marco Pignati. The company emerged as an official spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) in Lausanne, where the co-founders, all former PhDs, developed the core technology. Their collective expertise and insights into the modernization of distribution grids, particularly regarding the integration of distributed energy resources, led to the formation of the company.
The company's products serve Distribution System Operators (DSOs) and various energy players, providing tools to manage the complexities of modern power grids. Zaphiro's long-term vision is to ensure resilient electrical grids by mitigating the destabilizing effects introduced by distributed energy resources. They aim to empower utilities to navigate the ongoing energy transition effectively and securely.
Zaphiro Technologies has raised $12.3M across 3 funding rounds.
Zaphiro Technologies has raised $12.3M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Zaphiro Technologies has raised $12.3M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $6.9M Series A in December 2022.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 19, 2022 | $6.9M Series A | — | ABB Technology Ventures, CDP Venture Capital, Club Degli Investitori, Excellis, Technology Fund | Announced |
| Apr 1, 2022 | $4M Seed | — | Excellis | Announced |
| Mar 11, 2019 | $1.5M Venture Round | Harry Sykes | — | Announced |
Zaphiro Technologies has raised $12.3M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Zaphiro Technologies's investors include ABB Technology Ventures, CDP Venture Capital, Club degli Investitori, Excellis, Technology Fund, Harry Sykes.
Zaphiro Technologies is a Swiss deep tech startup specializing in smart grid solutions that enable electrical utilities to integrate distributed energy resources (DERs) like renewables, electric vehicles, and batteries while ensuring grid resiliency.[1][2][3][4] Their flagship product, SynchroGuard, is a patented monitoring and automation system using fast, time-synchronized measurements from micro-Phasor Measurement Units (micro-PMUs or D-PMUs), compliant with IEEE C37.118 standards, allowing up to 300% more renewables integration without grid upgrades, automatic fault location to cut blackout impacts, and reduced CAPEX/OPEX.[1][2][4] Serving distribution system operators (DSOs), transmission system operators (TSOs), and microgrid operators worldwide—including Romande Energie, Netze BW, ComEd, and China Light and Power—Zaphiro has deployed over 180 D-PMU devices across Switzerland, EU, APAC, and the US, demonstrating strong growth momentum with pilots, partnerships, and recognitions like Venture Kick funding and Top 50 Swiss Startup nomination.[2][5]
Zaphiro Technologies was co-founded by three former PhD researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL): Paolo Romano (CEO), Marco Pignati (CTO), and Lorenzo Zanni (COO), who developed the core of SynchroGuard based on their PhD theses.[1][4] The idea emerged from their academic work on advanced grid monitoring using synchrophasor technology, addressing the challenges of DER destabilization in modernizing grids.[1][2] Early traction included Venture Kick Stage I funding, collecting three letters of intent from utilities, and pilot installations: a sub-transmission (125 kV) grid project in Lausanne with SiL, a medium-voltage pilot in the Netherlands with Alliander, and an SFOE-funded smart grid communication pilot.[5] Key milestones feature SynchroGuard v1 release, an industrial partnership with National Instruments for the NI Grid Automation System, and selection for global programs like SET100 and Free Electrons accelerator.[2][5]
Zaphiro stands out in the smart grid space through these key strengths:
Zaphiro rides the global energy transition wave, capitalizing on surging DER adoption—renewables, EVs, and batteries—that strain legacy grids amid net-zero goals and electrification mandates.[1][3] Timing is ideal as aging infrastructure faces blackout risks and regulatory pushes for resiliency (e.g., EU green deals, US grid modernization), where traditional SCADA systems fall short on speed and precision; Zaphiro's micro-PMU tech fills this gap with distribution-level visibility.[2][4] Market forces like falling sensor costs, 5G/LTE ubiquity, and AI-driven automation favor them, enabling 300% DER scaling without massive CAPEX.[1] They influence the ecosystem by partnering with incumbents (e.g., National Instruments, ABB) and pioneering pilots that validate synchrophasor standards, accelerating DSO/TSO digitalization and sustainable grid paradigms worldwide.[5][6]
Zaphiro is poised for accelerated expansion as DER penetration hits critical mass, with next steps likely including larger commercial rollouts, AI-enhanced features like predictive digital twins, and deeper US/APAC penetration via existing clients like ComEd.[2][4] Trends such as AI grid automation, microgrid proliferation, and stricter resiliency regs will propel them, potentially evolving from niche innovator to essential platform for 1,000+ global DSOs. Their EPFL-rooted tech edge and deployment proof position Zaphiro to redefine resilient grids, directly enabling the clean energy future that utilities must navigate.[1][3]