La Solive, a French energy renovation training provider, has raised €4 million in a Series A funding round, led by Partech and joined by Brighteye Ventures. Founded in 2021 by Ariane Komorn and Côme de Cossé Brissac, La Solive aims to address both the climate crisis and the labor shortage in the energy renovation sector.
The building industry is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing nearly a quarter of France’s emissions. As a result, energy-efficient renovations are essential to achieving environmental targets, but there is a shortage of trained professionals to meet this demand.
Just a while back, we also reported about a new platform called Platformatic that raised $4.3M seed round to address Node.js challenges. It’s an interesting read too.
Over the past three years, La Solive has emerged as a key player in the field, training over 1,000 students across its three campuses in Paris, Lyon, and Nantes. The school offers four training programs in areas such as heat pump installation, solar panel installation, and energy renovation project management. With its new funding, La Solive plans to expand its geographic presence and introduce new certifications and courses to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals.
What problem is the startup solving
The need for energy renovation technicians has never been more pressing. By 2030, an estimated 600,000 jobs in this sector will need to be filled in France alone, according to industry forecasts. As the European Union tightens its climate goals, the pressure is mounting on both governments and private companies to accelerate energy renovation efforts. However, finding skilled professionals has been a persistent challenge. Construction companies are struggling to hire enough technicians, and many lack the specialized training required to implement energy-efficient solutions effectively.
La Solive was created to address this gap. Its intensive, hands-on courses are designed for individuals seeking to retrain in energy renovation, whether as craftsmen or project managers. The school’s network of over 600 partners across France—including engineering firms, construction companies, and public services—helps students find employment quickly after completing their programs. According to La Solive, 91% of graduates are employed within six months, and the school has been particularly successful in attracting women to the construction sector, where one in four of its students is female.
Plans for growth: New campuses and certifications
With the new €4 million investment, La Solive plans to accelerate its expansion. The funds will be used to open eight to ten additional campuses by 2026, with new locations planned in Toulouse, Marseille, Lille, and Montpellier. The company also intends to introduce new training courses, such as a certification for Rehabilitation Works Supervisors and the RGE QualiPAC & QualiPV certifications, which are crucial for professionals working in energy renovation.
CEO and co-founder Ariane Komorn emphasized the importance of speeding up the school’s growth to meet the increasing demand for energy-efficient renovations. “The climate emergency and the labor shortage in France mean that we need to speed up our response to the challenge of energy-efficient home renovation,” Komorn stated. She also highlighted the company’s success in training nearly 1,000 students and building a strong partner network across various industries.
The participation of Partech and Brighteye Ventures in this latest funding round reflects strong investor confidence in La Solive’s business model. Alison Imbert, Principal at Partech, commented on the company’s approach: “La Solive has developed the most relevant model to address the talent shortage in energy renovation, with high-quality training and high operational efficiency that maximizes value for students and partnering companies.” Imbert added that the school’s focus on practical, hands-on training aligns well with the needs of both the industry and individuals looking to retrain.
David Guérin, Principal at Brighteye Ventures, echoed these sentiments, pointing out that La Solive is well-positioned to continue its growth. He noted that the company has established itself as a market leader in just 36 months, addressing critical challenges in the climate and labor sectors.
What we think about the startup
La Solive’s latest funding round underscores the growing importance of energy-efficient renovation and the need for skilled professionals to carry out these projects. As European countries push for more ambitious climate targets, the demand for trained technicians in energy renovation is expected to rise sharply. La Solive’s expansion plans are a timely response to this demand, aiming to train 5,000 energy renovation professionals annually by 2028.
Through its focus on practical training and partnerships with industry leaders, La Solive is poised to play a key role in the energy transition, helping both businesses and governments meet their environmental goals while addressing the labor shortages that threaten to slow progress in this vital sector.
