InstaHeat

About InstaHeat

Zurich-based InstaHeat, founded in 2019, is commercializing an industrial flow heater based on Ohmic heating principles. The company's core technology circulates electric current directly through a liquid via two electrodes, using the liquid's own electrical resistance to generate heat instantaneously and uniformly. This method eliminates the need for traditional metal heating elements, which are prone to energy loss, scaling, corrosion, and require significant maintenance. InstaHeat's approach allows for precise temperature control, making it suitable for applications like pasteurization and sterilization where product quality is critical. The technology is designed for any conductive liquid and promises significant energy efficiency, with minimal resource wastage.

The company's journey began when co-founders Fabian Dietschi and Alexey Gromov met during an electronics technician apprenticeship at ETH. Their shared ambition to create their own technology company eventually led them to focus on the challenges of liquid heating. While working for a coffee machine manufacturer, Dietschi identified the issues with conventional methods and began researching Ohmic heating. The idea gained momentum when Gromov, during his studies abroad, discovered the MassChallenge competition for startups, prompting the duo to develop a formal business case. They incorporated InstaHeat AG in 2019 after years of experimentation. Dietschi now serves as CEO, with Gromov as COO, leading the company's mission to establish their technology as a new standard for liquid heating.

InstaHeat markets its technology to various sectors, including food processing, water and wastewater management, and other industries requiring efficient liquid heating. The primary value proposition is a reduction in operational costs through lower energy consumption and decreased maintenance, as the absence of a heating element prevents common issues like calcification. By generating heat directly within the fluid, the system avoids the 20-40% energy loss typical of conventional systems and prevents issues like scalding in sensitive liquids such as milk. The company holds a global patent for its application of Ohmic heating technology in a miniaturized industrial flow heater. The business focuses on the development, production, and sale of these electrical components and systems, alongside providing consulting and development services.