Published on / 06.08.2025
Contact / Anton Duisterwinkel
Smarter energy use, working more sustainably, lower costs—WorkyBe demonstrates the tangible benefits AI technology can deliver. Co-founder Emre Pehlivanlı shares how a venture launched by three young entrepreneurs in Turkey evolved into an international scaleup, and why collaboration in Zuid-Holland has been key to its success.
WorkyBe’s platform predicts how much energy a business will need, what it will cost and how much will be available from renewable sources. By linking these forecasts to real-time data, businesses not only gain insight into their energy consumption but also adjust their operations accordingly. Factories might use it to plan production more efficiently; data centres to avoid wasting energy. That’s how WorkyBe helps cut inefficiency, reduce costs and promote sustainability. “And with more than 97 per cent accuracy”, Emre adds.
From Turkey to Zuid-Holland
While WorkyBe was founded in Turkey in 2020, the idea had been in the works for some time. The three founders began developing the software from their student flat, keeping costs low and reinvesting their first earnings straight back into the platform. In 2024, after extensive research, the company chose to base its headquarters in Zuid-Holland. “The green transition is a real priority here, and the wider ecosystem is full of opportunities for innovation”, explains Emre. That decision is paying off: the platform now runs at 4,000+ facilities and manages 2 GW of renewable energy fields across 12 countries.
Flexible and scalable
WorkyBe’s rapid growth is largely due to its flexibility: a single solution that can tackle multiple complex energy challenges at once. Its modular structure and self-learning AI algorithms allow the software to adapt automatically; no manual intervention required. “We’ve developed algorithms that respond to sector-specific conditions, which vary from one environment to another”, says Emre. That makes the platform both scalable and widely applicable.
The company works closely with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)—producers of commonly used measurement, control and monitoring equipment. Because the software connects seamlessly with these existing systems, no additional hardware is needed. As a result, the platform can be rolled out quickly and efficiently, regardless of sector or setting, and be up and running within hours. This enables large-scale use with minimal effort for the customer.
Powered by collaboration
Collaboration is a core focus for WorkyBe and, according to Emre, the key to sustainable growth. In addition to OEMs, he is always on the lookout for co-innovation partners: “We bring the technology, they bring the industry experience. It’s a great way to learn from each other, benefit from the partnership and reduce risks.” WorkyBe is also seeking sales partners to help connect with the right customers. This helps the company to expand internationally without having to establish a team in every location.
“We bring the technology, they bring the industry experience. It’s a great way to learn from each other, benefit from the partnership and reduce risks.”
Emre Pehlivanlı, Co-Founder WorkyBe
Rooted in local partnerships
Emre emphasises that international growth is not possible without local partners: “They’re essential to our business because they help us genuinely understand the market. In the province of Zuid-Holland, WorkyBe is steadily building a network of customers and partners, supported by organisations such as InnovationQuarter and the NFIA. Thanks to these partnerships, the company was able to secure its first customers even before establishing a physical presence in the Netherlands. For Emre, having a strong local base is key to tailoring the technology to regional needs and building long-term relationships: “If you want to make real impact, you have to take the local context seriously.”
Ready for the next phase
WorkyBe is currently scaling up: the technology has proven itself, demand is rising and the team is expanding alongside it. To support this growth, the company has launched a second investment round with partners from different countries. The focus is on entering new markets, growing the team and building strategic partnerships. Emre believes the timing is spot on: “Companies are under growing pressure to become more efficient and sustainable. We’re building the technology that helps them use energy more intelligently, cut costs and lower their environmental impact. That’s what we’re here for.”
About this series
WorkyBe was part of the InnovationQuarter pavilion at ZIE 2025. For this interview series, we spoke with seven innovative companies about their journey, key partnerships and the growth opportunities they are looking to seize. Each company highlights how regional strength can help tackle global challenges.
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Anton Duisterwinkel
Senior Business Developer High Tech / Program Manager SMITZH
