Author: Manu Espinosa

What is WENERU?
Weneru is an energy manager to little customers. Big companies use to hire energy consultants to reduce their energy bills, we try to use the technology to offer this service to smaller customers (both business and householders).

How does the business work?
It is simple:
1- We analyze the energy consumption of the customer.
2- We suggest new contract conditions (hourly and power capacity)
3- We compare and suggest the best offer to the new contract conditions.
4- We assume all the bureaucracy, paperwork and inform the customer.
5- The customers save money in their energy bills
In Spain this is a very difficult market, the law changes every month, the utility companies change the offers too and we the costumers change the way we consume.
We think WENERU will turn easy to participate in electric market.

What is the business model?
It is very easy, in the B2B model; we earn a part (33%) of the savings that the customer gets in the energy bill. On the domestic customer model, we are thinking in a freemium model, but at this moment we have not this service yet.

What kinds of investors does the company have?
At this moment we have two very important investors, we the partners and our customers.

What is the stage of project now?
We have now a B2B business model, being the Energy consultants to almost 50 customers.We have commercial relationship with several energy suppliers. At the same time we develop our technology and review every day the regulations affaires trying to take our service to domestic users as soon as possible.

What role do the members play in the company?
Manu Espinosa is the CEO. Miguel Carabús is the head of Commercial actions.. Adela Conchado is the Product Manager., Nacho García-Valdecasas is the COO.

What have you learned from your experience as entrepreneurs?
The most important… deal with uncertainty. I think it is almost a psychological issue, but it is very difficult to do it well. The second is maybe, to learn to appreciate every little job that somebody can do. Entrepreneurs have to perform a lot of roles; we are the boss, the commercial, the controller, the programmer… the same day, even the same couple of hours. And the last but not least, enjoy every “little victory” like if it was the last one.

What are you most excited about the project at the moment?
Maybe the day we saw our bank account and we received our first payment. That was the main proof that many people really could need our service.

What are the most difficult parts of entrepreneurship?
Being able to avoid the temptation of “usual” well paid jobs, ensuring the commitment with the project.

In your opinion, what are the most important personality traits to be a successful entrepreneur?

Confidence, commitment and open mind.

Is there anything you would go back and do differently if you had the chance?

Each new step is based on previous mistakes or wise moves; we have a vision but not a path. If I knew the right way to succeed maybe I would skip some steps, but it is not the case at all.

What new understanding since you started has had the most impact on your original plan?
Maybe the importance of the offline commercial roles this is a strongly regulated market, oligopolistic, and the commercial role is very important to gain confidence and commitment of both, suppliers and customers.

What advice would you like to give to potential entrepreneurs?
I read a few weeks ago that there are two ways of doing something… the good one and again.