Photo: Ecco2’s intelligent technology makes it possible to optimize the heating systems in buildings thanks to numerous parameters such as hourly analysis of local weather forecasts.

Ecco2 is the brains behind an innovative electronic control unit that allows servers to interact with both modern and older heating systems, which in turn makes buildings more energy efficient. This former start-up, which previously operated under the name Pronoó, was set up in 2013 and has recently reached an important development milestone.

With the foundational idea and early versions of the algorithms already in the bag, Urs Grossenbacher, one of the two co-founders, approached the Fribourg School of Engineering and Architecture (HEIA-FR) for help. The partnership was so successful that they worked together on three more projects. “They developed the electronic part of the module, while we focused on the data processing side”, explains Beat Ackermann, the other co-founder and managing director of Ecco2. “Their expertise coupled with support from the New Regional Policy instrument accelerated our progress. It was the best way to organize the resources at our disposal.”

Since then, the engineers at Ecco2 have scaled up their activities. “Our customers are owners of substantial properties and have real estate portfolios”, notes Beat Ackermann. Although the final product has substantially changed, and continues to change, the original idea behind it remains the same. Buoyed by its success in Switzerland, the company is now looking to expand, first into France, then into the larger European market.