SolidWatts raises CHF 1.8 million to scale its RF industrial heating platform

Vaud-based cleantech company SolidWatts has closed a CHF 1.8 million seed financing round to scale its proprietary solid-state Radio Frequency (RF) heating platform to higher power levels and conduct pilots with industrial partners. The round saw continued participation from existing investors Evercurious VC, Kickfund, and Axel Carbon Capital, alongside new backers Uni.Fund, Investing for Purpose, Loggerhead Ventures, Almanac Ventures, and a group of angel investors.

Founded in 2022 by Dr. Markus Aicheler, a former postdoctoral fellow at CERN who drew on the organization’s pioneering use of high-power solid-state RF technology for scientific applications, SolidWatts develops industrial heating systems based on dielectric heating, a process in which electromagnetic waves heat materials from the inside, much like a domestic microwave oven. The platform converts over 80% of electricity directly into RF heating power, with minimal losses to surrounding infrastructure, and requires low maintenance due to its solid-state architecture.

Industrial heating processes account for approximately 20% of global energy demand and 10% of worldwide CO₂ emissions, yet remain among the hardest sectors to decarbonize. SolidWatts’ platform targets energy-intensive industries including chemicals and pharmaceuticals, food processing, carbon capture, and advanced recycling, enabling them to electrify heating processes and reduce both energy consumption and emissions. Electrifying just 1% of global industrial heating processes using SolidWatts’ technology could eliminate 36 million tonnes of CO₂ annually, equivalent to removing 7.8 million cars from the road.

The seed funding follows a EUR 850,000 pre-seed round closed in January 2025 and will support the scaling of SolidWatts’ platform to megawatt power levels, expansion of its engineering team, and acceleration of industrial pilot programs with the support of the Swiss Climate Foundation.