Sustainable Energy Systems Masters+ alumni Laura Laringe and Krishna Kumar Rathinam have been named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe 2025 list in the Manufacturing & Industry category for their work with reLi Energy. Their innovative approach to battery operation through advanced software is gaining recognition for its potential to improve both the profitability and sustainability of energy storage systems. This blog takes a closer look at their journey from the early stages of reLi to their recent milestones and what lies ahead.
How It All Began
reLi Energy began by refurbishing second-life batteries from electric vehicles, giving them a sustainable second chance. But as we worked in the space, we realized the bigger issue wasn’t the hardware itself; it was how the batteries were being operated. Poor usage was accelerating degradation and reducing profitability.
That insight led us to shift focus. What if more innovative software could optimize battery performance, extend lifespan, and improve returns?
Today, reLi develops advanced software that helps battery operators make real-time, data-driven decisions. Our core innovation is a cost function that quantifies battery degradation during operation, empowering users to dispatch energy in ways that balance performance and longevity.
We believe better software is key to unlocking cleaner, more efficient energy systems and that’s what drives us every day.
How InnoEnergy Shaped Us
InnoEnergy Masters+ gave us a rare mix of technical depth and business understanding. We studied energy systems at some of the best universities in Europe, while also learning how to build ventures at ESADE. That dual exposure gave us the tools to think big, but also to act with purpose.
There was a pivotal moment during the program where we realized we didn’t just want to work in the energy space, we wanted to build something for it. Even more importantly, InnoEnergy connected us as co-founders, and gave us access to the ecosystem that helped reLi take its first steps.
The Green Seed Journey Experience
Green Seed Journey was a great learning experience. It gave us a platform to pitch our earlier idea, get feedback, and see how others responded to our vision. The process helped us test assumptions, improve our pitch, and better understand what it takes to build a startup from the ground up. Finally, winning it and getting the prize money helped us with the first technical development of our idea.
Momentum and What Comes Next
Since launching reLi, we’ve hit several milestones that have shaped our journey. Being named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe 2025 list in the Manufacturing & Industry category was a proud moment. We’ve also partnered with major industry players like EDP, validating both the relevance and potential of our solution.
From concept to real-world deployment, our software has been tested across multiple projects. Even before an official product launch, we generated six-figure revenue through pilot partnerships clear proof of the value we’re bringing to the market. Most recently, we were honored to be named Startup of the Year by a consortium of seven leading energy utilities.
Looking ahead, we’re preparing to launch the full version of our product in the coming months. We’ll also begin expanding our team, focusing on sales and engineering, while converting pilot projects into long-term partnerships. With every step, we’re committed to refining our product through real-world insights and we’re only just getting started.