WeDoSolar, a European startup that introduced innovative "vertical solar panels" for homes, has made a significant pivot to a B2B model after a strategic partnership with Chinese solar giant Genbyte Tech. The partnership comes after WeDoSolar faced challenges in the B2C market, where cheaper and less safe products flooded the market, making it difficult for customers to differentiate.

The publicly traded Genbyte Tech, with annual revenues of over $1.4 billion, has acquired a minority stake in WeDoSolar, providing the startup with infrastructure and technical expertise to scale up its operations and enter new markets. WeDoSolar's founders, Karolina Attspodina and Qian Qin, will retain a majority stake in the company, with Qin taking on the role of CEO.

WeDoSolar was founded in 2021 by Attspodina, a Ukrainian-born serial entrepreneur, and Qin, a hardware engineer and serial entrepreneur. The startup initially focused on providing compact, self-installable solar solutions for homes, designed for a plug-and-play experience. However, the B2C market proved challenging, leading to the pivot to a B2B model.

According to Attspodina, the decision to pivot represents a natural evolution for the company. "It became impossible for clients to see and understand the difference" between WeDoSolar's products and cheaper alternatives, she told TechCrunch. Attspodina will step down as CEO but remain involved with the company as a shareholder and board member.

Under the new B2B model, WeDoSolar will cater to resellers, property developers, and commercial enterprises, delivering solar panels that suit their projects. The partnership with Genbyte Tech will provide WeDoSolar with the necessary resources to scale up its operations and enter new markets.

Genbyte Tech, a leading manufacturer of microinverters, energy storage systems, and smart grid solutions, brings significant expertise and infrastructure to the partnership. The company's factories in China will provide WeDoSolar with the necessary capacity to meet growing demand.

The pivot to a B2B model marks a significant shift for WeDoSolar, which had previously received funding from New York's VentureOut and Germany's Leanox Impact Capital. The company's new focus on the B2B market is likely to have significant implications for the renewable energy sector, as it seeks to provide innovative solar solutions to businesses and organizations.

In a broader context, the partnership between WeDoSolar and Genbyte Tech highlights the growing trend of collaboration between European startups and Chinese companies in the renewable energy sector. As the EU continues to push for a transition to cleaner energy sources, partnerships like this are likely to play an increasingly important role in driving innovation and adoption.

Attspodina, who will remain involved with WeDoSolar as a shareholder and board member, is now looking to enter the Dual-Use/Defence sector in the near future. She is also helping other founders with fundraising and other projects, leveraging her experience as a serial entrepreneur.