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Beamline Accelerator • APR 22 • 6 min read
What if buildings could breathe smarter? Meet the startups rethinking indoor climate
The built environment is one of the largest contributors to global emissions, and for years, the conversation has centered around insulation, energy-efficient windows, and smart thermostats. But two bold startups, Aerefy and EcothermiQ, are taking it much further, rethinking indoor climate from the inside out.
Both are part of the Energy Batch by Beamline, Sparkup and BIA.

Flo Minzat & Graeme Allen, Co-founders of EcothermiQ
At first glance, the problems they tackle seem different. But beneath the surface lies a shared goal: healthier buildings that consume drastically less energy.
Aerefy started with a simple yet frustrating problem. Even the most modern buildings - equipped with advanced HVAC systems and Building Information Models (BIM) - still suffer from over-ventilated or under-ventilated rooms, inconsistent airflow, and wasteful simultaneous heating and cooling. The root of the issue is often complexity itself. Aerefy’s answer is a presence-aware, cloud-connected device that installs in a single room, requires no configuration, and automatically adjusts ventilation in real time. Because it’s packed with sensors and intelligent controls, it delivers better indoor air quality while reducing energy consumption by up to 45%. No double ceilings, no extra space needed - just healthier air and lower bills, effortlessly.


Meanwhile, EcothermiQ is rewriting the rules of thermal comfort.

Their technology works passively, using advanced materials and airflow design to regulate temperature without drawing power from the grid. Their wall-mounted device stores solar energy as thermal mass using phase change materials (PCM), then smartly releases it when needed through a multi-channel convection system. The result is a 30%+ reduction in building energy demand, while maintaining comfort and wellbeing - all with zero grid energy.

Developed through the Carbon13 venture builder, EcothermiQ’s long-term mission is to help eliminate 10 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions and accelerate the net-zero transition in the built environment.
None of this innovation happens in isolation.

Aerefy’s journey has been strengthened by the support of their investors and mentors, including Hugues Flament, Peeter Mõtsküla, Taivo Tahk, and Jan Roos. EcothermiQ credits mentors like Anamaria Spulber for unlocking critical VC and real estate networks, Robert Codin for business development, and Carbon13’s Amrit Chandan for long-term support and strategy. Sparkup mentor Pille-Riin Meerits has helped the team navigate everything from incorporation in Estonia to scaling, while Dr. Chlump Chatkupt, their latest advisor, has already made an impact across business planning, fundraising, and technical direction.

What makes both companies stand out is how seamlessly their technologies blend performance with simplicity.


Aerefy’s one-device-per-room approach eliminates the need for multiple components and central units, making installation and servicing straightforward. EcothermiQ, by contrast, proves that passive heating and cooling don’t have to be slow or clunky - their system is elegant, responsive, and smart, with IoT integration that brings new life to the concept of energy-efficient buildings.

Being part of the Energy Batch program has helped both startups move faster. From technical milestones to new partnerships, network growth, and visibility at events like sTARTUp Day and Latitude59, the accelerator has been a launchpad for both progress and perspective.

As EcothermiQ puts it: "What if indoor thermal comfort doesn’t have to cost the Earth?” That question isn’t just rhetorical anymore. With startups like these, it’s becoming a blueprint for how we build better, for people and for the planet.
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