Swell Energy’s $120 Million Raise Powers Expansion of Virtual Power Plants

THE COMPANY

Swell Energy was a VPP provider that united property owners, industry partners, and utilities to achieve reliable, cost-effective, clean and flexible energy.

THE CHALLENGE

In late 2022, Swell was preparing to announce its $120 million Series B raise, an investment set to scale the company’s VPP network significantly. While Swell had garnered attention within the renewable energy sector, the challenge was to elevate this announcement to a broader audience and secure high-profile media coverage across mainstream and industry-specific outlets to reach key stakeholders, including investors, industry experts, and consumers.

THE STRATEGY 

Technica Communications crafted a multi-layered strategy to secure mainstream and trade media coverage. The strategy focused on positioning Swell’s raise as a pivotal moment for VPPs by emphasizing the financial significance of the investment and highlighting Swell’s role in advancing clean energy technology.

To get the attention of top-tier renewable energy, technology, and finance journalists, Technica offered exclusive insights into Swell’s strategic partnerships and technological advancements with pre-release media briefings. To further maximize coverage, Technica utilized a comprehensive industry-exclusive outreach strategy.

Furthermore, Technica Communications synchronized the media campaign with key speaking opportunities, industry events, and post-news award submissions. This proactive approach aimed to transform the energy community from a passive audience to an active participant in the conversation, positioning Swell as a thought leader and driving deeper engagement.

THE RESULTS

Swell’s funding announcement was prominently featured in high-profile publications such as Axios, Bloomberg NEF, Crunchbase, Forbes, and Impact Alpha, as well as in renewable energy-focused outlets like Canary Media, Electrek, Energy Storage News, PV Magazine, Renewable Energy World, Solar Builder, and Solar Power World. This extensive coverage resulted in a potential reach of over 253 million, a testament to the campaign’s success.

In total, 132 articles were posted online, generating an advertising value of $2.34 million. Swell’s leadership participated in multiple press interviews, including Axios, Battery Industry News, Canary Media, Forbes, and Solar Builder, to underscore the company’s virtual power plant technology advancements. The announcement also sparked widespread interest across newsletters, blogs, and social media platforms, extending coverage to influential outlets like Climate Tech VC and Wall Street Journal Pro Venture Capital, further boosting Swell’s visibility in the energy and financial sectors.

Additionally, Swell was invited to speak at several industry events (Net Zero Conference, San Francisco Climate Week) and received several key awards (INC 5000, Fast Company Next Big Things in Tech), increasing its prominence as a leader in renewable energy and virtual power plant development.