257 raises $9.2M Seed round to bring AI-driven insights to the $500B residential energy market
The company’s predictive models help energy providers optimize customer engagement and efficiency.
257, a software and AI company aiming to transform the $500 billion residential energy sector, has secured a $9.2 million Seed funding round to advance its mission of reshaping how energy providers engage with consumers. The round was led by F2 Venture Capital, with participation from notable energy and AI investors, including Crius Energy founder Mike Fallquist, Open Athena co-CEO Jeff Hammerbacher, and former GM Ventures head Gil Golan.
At the core of 257’s technology is a proprietary AI-driven platform that constructs detailed digital energy twins for every U.S. home. By leveraging hundreds of public and private data sources, 257 offers energy providers predictive insights into household energy needs, enabling them to optimize customer engagement and improve efficiency in marketing and sales efforts.
“Despite billions spent annually, providers lack the data and tools to effectively connect with consumers—leading to higher costs, missed sales opportunities, and slower adoption,” said Scott Rosenberg, co-founder and CEO of 257. “We’re bridging this divide with data, analytics, and marketing tools that help providers deliver personalized, relevant interactions from the first consumer touchpoint.”
Rosenberg and co-founder and CTO Tal Chalozin both previously built billion-dollar media technology platforms at Roku and Innovid.
The company’s platform is designed to address a significant inefficiency in the energy sector. Over the next decade, U.S. households are projected to spend more than $5 trillion on energy products and services—an average of $40,000 per home. Yet, the tens of thousands of providers in the market collectively spend over $20 billion annually to reach potential customers, often with suboptimal results due to a lack of precise targeting tools.
257’s solution consists of three core products. 257 Insights: AI-powered analytics providing household-level data to help energy providers make informed engagement decisions. 257 Audiences: Machine learning-driven propensity scoring that identifies the most promising customers for solar, HVAC, and alternative energy plans. 257 Engage: Customizable lead capture and onboarding tools that use 257’s data to improve first interactions with potential customers.
The company’s early pilot programs have shown promising results, with some energy providers increasing customer acquisition efficiency by 300%. Unlike traditional data brokers or lead-generation firms, 257 operates on a performance-based model, allowing energy providers to access its platform for free and pay only when a sale is successfully generated.
“We’re at the early days of the energy transition, but also at a moment when software, data, and AI can play a transformative role in ensuring this shift is cost-effective and accessible for all consumers,” said Tal Chalozin, 257’s co-founder and CTO.
