Meet Exnaton co-founder Liliane Ableitner and learn how the Venture Leader Technology develops software that supports renewable-energy communities

20.10.2021 07:00, Isabelle Mitchell

Exnaton develops a software that creates local peer-to-peer energy communities for trading renewable energy in neighborhoods. The startup’s flagship service connects households and businesses with each other and introduces smart prices for locally available electricity. With this approach, the transition to renewable energy becomes easier, financially more attractive, and more fun—for energy providers and consumers. Get to know Exnazon co-founder and CEO Liliane Ableitner, learn more about her expectations for the Venture Leaders Technology experience, and discover who inspired her startup’s name.

Earlier this year, 10 technology startups—covering a range of topics such as computer vision, cloud solutions, cybersecurity, logistics, and sustainability—joined the Swiss National Startup Team. To advance their global growth, the Venture Leaders Technology 2021 will travel to Silicon Valley to showcase Switzerland’s innovative power and network with investors and industry leaders. To ensure you know which startups transform the technology industry, we will introduce you to the startups selected by the expert jury. We asked each entrepreneur to complete a short profile and choose at least six questions from a questionnaire about their personal and professional life. 

Name: Liliane Ableitner    
Location: Zurich 
Nationality: German 
Graduated from: ETH Zurich, PhD in information systems, 2019 
Your job title: Co-founder and CEO of Exnaton
Number of employees: 9 
First touchpoint with Venturelab: In 2019, at a Venture Kick Kick-off Camp 
 
“In a B2B2C model, we provide a billing software for the decentralized renewable energy sources to utility companies and create local energy communities that engage households in the energy transition.” 
 
How and where did you come up with the idea for your startup? 
Before founding Exnaton, my two co-founders and I collaborated on a large research project in which we built Switzerland’s first energy community while doing our PhDs at ETH Zurich and the University of St. Gallen. The user feedback and the public reception of the project were overwhelming, and we decided to continue with the idea by founding Exnaton. 
 
What do you expect from the Venture Leaders roadshow, and how will it help you achieve your vision? 
By participating in the Venture Leaders roadshow, we hope to be able to make first contact with US investors and US customers. On top of that, we look forward to representing Switzerland as an innovation hub in Europe, meeting other great founders and exchanging experience with them, and getting to experience the Silicon Valley vibes. 
 
What is one thing not many people know about you?  
I relax when I cook. 
 
What is your favorite book?  
Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World--and Why Things Are Better Than You Think by Hans Rosling because it brilliantly teaches us to be optimistic about the developments on planet Earth and how to better judge whether we are going in the right direction. 
 
What advice would you give your teenage self? 
To listen more carefully and to ask more questions. It is ok to not know everything right away, but you will always benefit from expanding your horizon by asking and listening.  
 
How did you come up with the name of your startup?  
Startup names are always tricky. I once learned you want to have a name that starts with an early letter of the alphabet in order to be listed among the first participants in exhibition lists and so on. In our case, we wanted something to be connected with energy and exchange on top of that. In the end, we opted for Exnaton adapted from the Egyptian pharaoh “Akhenaten” (in German: Echnaton), who raised the status of the sun above that of gods, which is a nice analogy to sun-powered electricity. Exnaton also contains “ex” for exchange. 
 
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a founder?  
The fact that you get direct feedback on your own work and in many cases this feedback is even fast. I like the endless opportunities for startups and founders and that you know that your hard work pays off whenever you win a new customer, get accepted at some amazing programs, or attract funding. You have all the options available, and it is up to you to make the most out of it.  
 
What is the best advice you have ever received?  
To be open to feedback but also to be brave enough to not ingest every bit of negative feedback. Sometimes you have to believe in what you are doing, and not everyone needs to share your vision.
 

For more information and updates on Exnaton and the Venture Leaders Technology, follow the Venture Leaders Technology 2021 team with #VLeadersTech on social media or subscribe to our newsletter. 
 
The Venture Leaders Technology 2021 program is organized by Venturelab and supported by dpd Switzerland, EPF Lausanne, ETH Zurich, Intel, Kellerhals Carrard, Rothschild & Co, and the Canton of Vaud.