How a Rooftop Installation Helped Transaera Raise $8.2 Million in Funding

When Transaera’s co-founder and CEO Sorin Grama started the company, he hardly imagined their system would one day be installed on the roof of a warehouse. However, this step became essential for the company, leading to significant funding.

This summer, Transaera installed an outdoor air supply system, known as a dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS), on a warehouse rooftop. This setup dehumidifies incoming air, allowing the building’s main air conditioning system to function more efficiently. This installation served as the foundation for attracting $8.2 million in seed capital, Grama shared in an interview with TechCrunch.

"The success of this commercial project was a key factor in securing the funding," he noted.

Transaera spent seven years developing its air conditioning technology, exploring markets where it could deliver the most impact. The core function of the technology is air dehumidification, and while it can be applied in various settings, the first deployment on a commercial building’s rooftop is helping the company establish itself before expanding into other sectors.

The commercial HVAC sector actively seeks more efficient cooling systems, Grama pointed out. “Clients gain numerous benefits from efficient air conditioners — user comfort and reduced electricity costs.”

Initially, Transaera planned to launch consumer air conditioners for residential use, and Grama added that this plan remains relevant. The prototypes are sleek, wood-finished units reminiscent of a vintage radio with modern functionality. However, as Grama explained, the consumer air conditioning market demands substantial marketing investment and price competition, leading the company to pause this project temporarily while continuing research and development with the support of a $2.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Focusing on DOAS installations enables Transaera to demonstrate its technology in real-world conditions without heavy investment in marketing and mass production. The $8.2 million funding, led by Clean Energy Ventures with support from Energy Impact Partners and MassMutual Ventures, will allow the company to create more DOAS pilot units for commercial buildings.

"Our current goal is to build fully operational systems to clearly showcase their benefits," Grama emphasized.

In the long term, Transaera doesn’t plan to manufacture entire systems; instead, it will produce key components to supply major HVAC manufacturers like Carrier and Mitsubishi, who can then integrate this dehumidification technology into their devices under their own brands.

“Once the technology is proven and we have a few working installations, we aim to attract major players in the HVAC market to start using our dehumidification technology in their products,” Grama shared.

"Comfortable conditions are becoming increasingly important, especially with global warming," he added, explaining the company's focus on commercial and residential buildings rather than data centers. "These are the segments where our technology can have the greatest impact."