diff --git a/api/proto/pb/victron.pb.go b/api/proto/pb/victron.pb.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..fa4d17af6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/api/proto/pb/victron.pb.go
@@ -0,0 +1,249 @@
+// Code generated by protoc-gen-go. DO NOT EDIT.
+// versions:
+// 	protoc-gen-go v1.34.1
+// 	protoc        v5.26.1
+// source: proto/victron.proto
+
+package pb
+
+import (
+	protoreflect "google.golang.org/protobuf/reflect/protoreflect"
+	protoimpl "google.golang.org/protobuf/runtime/protoimpl"
+	reflect "reflect"
+	sync "sync"
+)
+
+const (
+	// Verify that this generated code is sufficiently up-to-date.
+	_ = protoimpl.EnforceVersion(20 - protoimpl.MinVersion)
+	// Verify that runtime/protoimpl is sufficiently up-to-date.
+	_ = protoimpl.EnforceVersion(protoimpl.MaxVersion - 20)
+)
+
+type VictronRequest struct {
+	state         protoimpl.MessageState
+	sizeCache     protoimpl.SizeCache
+	unknownFields protoimpl.UnknownFields
+
+	ProductId string `protobuf:"bytes,1,opt,name=productId,proto3" json:"productId,omitempty"`
+	VrmId     string `protobuf:"bytes,2,opt,name=vrmId,proto3" json:"vrmId,omitempty"`
+	Serial    string `protobuf:"bytes,3,opt,name=serial,proto3" json:"serial,omitempty"`
+	Board     string `protobuf:"bytes,4,opt,name=board,proto3" json:"board,omitempty"`
+}
+
+func (x *VictronRequest) Reset() {
+	*x = VictronRequest{}
+	if protoimpl.UnsafeEnabled {
+		mi := &file_proto_victron_proto_msgTypes[0]
+		ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
+		ms.StoreMessageInfo(mi)
+	}
+}
+
+func (x *VictronRequest) String() string {
+	return protoimpl.X.MessageStringOf(x)
+}
+
+func (*VictronRequest) ProtoMessage() {}
+
+func (x *VictronRequest) ProtoReflect() protoreflect.Message {
+	mi := &file_proto_victron_proto_msgTypes[0]
+	if protoimpl.UnsafeEnabled && x != nil {
+		ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
+		if ms.LoadMessageInfo() == nil {
+			ms.StoreMessageInfo(mi)
+		}
+		return ms
+	}
+	return mi.MessageOf(x)
+}
+
+// Deprecated: Use VictronRequest.ProtoReflect.Descriptor instead.
+func (*VictronRequest) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
+	return file_proto_victron_proto_rawDescGZIP(), []int{0}
+}
+
+func (x *VictronRequest) GetProductId() string {
+	if x != nil {
+		return x.ProductId
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+func (x *VictronRequest) GetVrmId() string {
+	if x != nil {
+		return x.VrmId
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+func (x *VictronRequest) GetSerial() string {
+	if x != nil {
+		return x.Serial
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+func (x *VictronRequest) GetBoard() string {
+	if x != nil {
+		return x.Board
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+type VictronReply struct {
+	state         protoimpl.MessageState
+	sizeCache     protoimpl.SizeCache
+	unknownFields protoimpl.UnknownFields
+
+	Authorized bool   `protobuf:"varint,1,opt,name=authorized,proto3" json:"authorized,omitempty"`
+	Subject    string `protobuf:"bytes,2,opt,name=subject,proto3" json:"subject,omitempty"`
+}
+
+func (x *VictronReply) Reset() {
+	*x = VictronReply{}
+	if protoimpl.UnsafeEnabled {
+		mi := &file_proto_victron_proto_msgTypes[1]
+		ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
+		ms.StoreMessageInfo(mi)
+	}
+}
+
+func (x *VictronReply) String() string {
+	return protoimpl.X.MessageStringOf(x)
+}
+
+func (*VictronReply) ProtoMessage() {}
+
+func (x *VictronReply) ProtoReflect() protoreflect.Message {
+	mi := &file_proto_victron_proto_msgTypes[1]
+	if protoimpl.UnsafeEnabled && x != nil {
+		ms := protoimpl.X.MessageStateOf(protoimpl.Pointer(x))
+		if ms.LoadMessageInfo() == nil {
+			ms.StoreMessageInfo(mi)
+		}
+		return ms
+	}
+	return mi.MessageOf(x)
+}
+
+// Deprecated: Use VictronReply.ProtoReflect.Descriptor instead.
+func (*VictronReply) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
+	return file_proto_victron_proto_rawDescGZIP(), []int{1}
+}
+
+func (x *VictronReply) GetAuthorized() bool {
+	if x != nil {
+		return x.Authorized
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+func (x *VictronReply) GetSubject() string {
+	if x != nil {
+		return x.Subject
+	}
+	return ""
+}
+
+var File_proto_victron_proto protoreflect.FileDescriptor
+
+var file_proto_victron_proto_rawDesc = []byte{
+	0x0a, 0x13, 0x70, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x74, 0x6f, 0x2f, 0x76, 0x69, 0x63, 0x74, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x6e, 0x2e,
+	0x70, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x74, 0x6f, 0x22, 0x72, 0x0a, 0x0e, 0x56, 0x69, 0x63, 0x74, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x6e,
+	0x52, 0x65, 0x71, 0x75, 0x65, 0x73, 0x74, 0x12, 0x1c, 0x0a, 0x09, 0x70, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x64, 0x75,
+	0x63, 0x74, 0x49, 0x64, 0x18, 0x01, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x09, 0x52, 0x09, 0x70, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x64,
+	0x75, 0x63, 0x74, 0x49, 0x64, 0x12, 0x14, 0x0a, 0x05, 0x76, 0x72, 0x6d, 0x49, 0x64, 0x18, 0x02,
+	0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x09, 0x52, 0x05, 0x76, 0x72, 0x6d, 0x49, 0x64, 0x12, 0x16, 0x0a, 0x06, 0x73,
+	0x65, 0x72, 0x69, 0x61, 0x6c, 0x18, 0x03, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x09, 0x52, 0x06, 0x73, 0x65, 0x72,
+	0x69, 0x61, 0x6c, 0x12, 0x14, 0x0a, 0x05, 0x62, 0x6f, 0x61, 0x72, 0x64, 0x18, 0x04, 0x20, 0x01,
+	0x28, 0x09, 0x52, 0x05, 0x62, 0x6f, 0x61, 0x72, 0x64, 0x22, 0x48, 0x0a, 0x0c, 0x56, 0x69, 0x63,
+	0x74, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x6e, 0x52, 0x65, 0x70, 0x6c, 0x79, 0x12, 0x1e, 0x0a, 0x0a, 0x61, 0x75, 0x74,
+	0x68, 0x6f, 0x72, 0x69, 0x7a, 0x65, 0x64, 0x18, 0x01, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x08, 0x52, 0x0a, 0x61,
+	0x75, 0x74, 0x68, 0x6f, 0x72, 0x69, 0x7a, 0x65, 0x64, 0x12, 0x18, 0x0a, 0x07, 0x73, 0x75, 0x62,
+	0x6a, 0x65, 0x63, 0x74, 0x18, 0x02, 0x20, 0x01, 0x28, 0x09, 0x52, 0x07, 0x73, 0x75, 0x62, 0x6a,
+	0x65, 0x63, 0x74, 0x32, 0x3c, 0x0a, 0x07, 0x56, 0x69, 0x63, 0x74, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x6e, 0x12, 0x31,
+	0x0a, 0x0d, 0x49, 0x73, 0x56, 0x61, 0x6c, 0x69, 0x64, 0x44, 0x65, 0x76, 0x69, 0x63, 0x65, 0x12,
+	0x0f, 0x2e, 0x56, 0x69, 0x63, 0x74, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x6e, 0x52, 0x65, 0x71, 0x75, 0x65, 0x73, 0x74,
+	0x1a, 0x0d, 0x2e, 0x56, 0x69, 0x63, 0x74, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x6e, 0x52, 0x65, 0x70, 0x6c, 0x79, 0x22,
+	0x00, 0x42, 0x0a, 0x5a, 0x08, 0x70, 0x72, 0x6f, 0x74, 0x6f, 0x2f, 0x70, 0x62, 0x62, 0x06, 0x70,
+	0x72, 0x6f, 0x74, 0x6f, 0x33,
+}
+
+var (
+	file_proto_victron_proto_rawDescOnce sync.Once
+	file_proto_victron_proto_rawDescData = file_proto_victron_proto_rawDesc
+)
+
+func file_proto_victron_proto_rawDescGZIP() []byte {
+	file_proto_victron_proto_rawDescOnce.Do(func() {
+		file_proto_victron_proto_rawDescData = protoimpl.X.CompressGZIP(file_proto_victron_proto_rawDescData)
+	})
+	return file_proto_victron_proto_rawDescData
+}
+
+var file_proto_victron_proto_msgTypes = make([]protoimpl.MessageInfo, 2)
+var file_proto_victron_proto_goTypes = []interface{}{
+	(*VictronRequest)(nil), // 0: VictronRequest
+	(*VictronReply)(nil),   // 1: VictronReply
+}
+var file_proto_victron_proto_depIdxs = []int32{
+	0, // 0: Victron.IsValidDevice:input_type -> VictronRequest
+	1, // 1: Victron.IsValidDevice:output_type -> VictronReply
+	1, // [1:2] is the sub-list for method output_type
+	0, // [0:1] is the sub-list for method input_type
+	0, // [0:0] is the sub-list for extension type_name
+	0, // [0:0] is the sub-list for extension extendee
+	0, // [0:0] is the sub-list for field type_name
+}
+
+func init() { file_proto_victron_proto_init() }
+func file_proto_victron_proto_init() {
+	if File_proto_victron_proto != nil {
+		return
+	}
+	if !protoimpl.UnsafeEnabled {
+		file_proto_victron_proto_msgTypes[0].Exporter = func(v interface{}, i int) interface{} {
+			switch v := v.(*VictronRequest); i {
+			case 0:
+				return &v.state
+			case 1:
+				return &v.sizeCache
+			case 2:
+				return &v.unknownFields
+			default:
+				return nil
+			}
+		}
+		file_proto_victron_proto_msgTypes[1].Exporter = func(v interface{}, i int) interface{} {
+			switch v := v.(*VictronReply); i {
+			case 0:
+				return &v.state
+			case 1:
+				return &v.sizeCache
+			case 2:
+				return &v.unknownFields
+			default:
+				return nil
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	type x struct{}
+	out := protoimpl.TypeBuilder{
+		File: protoimpl.DescBuilder{
+			GoPackagePath: reflect.TypeOf(x{}).PkgPath(),
+			RawDescriptor: file_proto_victron_proto_rawDesc,
+			NumEnums:      0,
+			NumMessages:   2,
+			NumExtensions: 0,
+			NumServices:   1,
+		},
+		GoTypes:           file_proto_victron_proto_goTypes,
+		DependencyIndexes: file_proto_victron_proto_depIdxs,
+		MessageInfos:      file_proto_victron_proto_msgTypes,
+	}.Build()
+	File_proto_victron_proto = out.File
+	file_proto_victron_proto_rawDesc = nil
+	file_proto_victron_proto_goTypes = nil
+	file_proto_victron_proto_depIdxs = nil
+}
diff --git a/api/proto/pb/victron_grpc.pb.go b/api/proto/pb/victron_grpc.pb.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c93af9444
--- /dev/null
+++ b/api/proto/pb/victron_grpc.pb.go
@@ -0,0 +1,109 @@
+// Code generated by protoc-gen-go-grpc. DO NOT EDIT.
+// versions:
+// - protoc-gen-go-grpc v1.3.0
+// - protoc             v5.26.1
+// source: proto/victron.proto
+
+package pb
+
+import (
+	context "context"
+	grpc "google.golang.org/grpc"
+	codes "google.golang.org/grpc/codes"
+	status "google.golang.org/grpc/status"
+)
+
+// This is a compile-time assertion to ensure that this generated file
+// is compatible with the grpc package it is being compiled against.
+// Requires gRPC-Go v1.32.0 or later.
+const _ = grpc.SupportPackageIsVersion7
+
+const (
+	Victron_IsValidDevice_FullMethodName = "/Victron/IsValidDevice"
+)
+
+// VictronClient is the client API for Victron service.
+//
+// For semantics around ctx use and closing/ending streaming RPCs, please refer to https://pkg.go.dev/google.golang.org/grpc/?tab=doc#ClientConn.NewStream.
+type VictronClient interface {
+	IsValidDevice(ctx context.Context, in *VictronRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*VictronReply, error)
+}
+
+type victronClient struct {
+	cc grpc.ClientConnInterface
+}
+
+func NewVictronClient(cc grpc.ClientConnInterface) VictronClient {
+	return &victronClient{cc}
+}
+
+func (c *victronClient) IsValidDevice(ctx context.Context, in *VictronRequest, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (*VictronReply, error) {
+	out := new(VictronReply)
+	err := c.cc.Invoke(ctx, Victron_IsValidDevice_FullMethodName, in, out, opts...)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return out, nil
+}
+
+// VictronServer is the server API for Victron service.
+// All implementations must embed UnimplementedVictronServer
+// for forward compatibility
+type VictronServer interface {
+	IsValidDevice(context.Context, *VictronRequest) (*VictronReply, error)
+	mustEmbedUnimplementedVictronServer()
+}
+
+// UnimplementedVictronServer must be embedded to have forward compatible implementations.
+type UnimplementedVictronServer struct {
+}
+
+func (UnimplementedVictronServer) IsValidDevice(context.Context, *VictronRequest) (*VictronReply, error) {
+	return nil, status.Errorf(codes.Unimplemented, "method IsValidDevice not implemented")
+}
+func (UnimplementedVictronServer) mustEmbedUnimplementedVictronServer() {}
+
+// UnsafeVictronServer may be embedded to opt out of forward compatibility for this service.
+// Use of this interface is not recommended, as added methods to VictronServer will
+// result in compilation errors.
+type UnsafeVictronServer interface {
+	mustEmbedUnimplementedVictronServer()
+}
+
+func RegisterVictronServer(s grpc.ServiceRegistrar, srv VictronServer) {
+	s.RegisterService(&Victron_ServiceDesc, srv)
+}
+
+func _Victron_IsValidDevice_Handler(srv interface{}, ctx context.Context, dec func(interface{}) error, interceptor grpc.UnaryServerInterceptor) (interface{}, error) {
+	in := new(VictronRequest)
+	if err := dec(in); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if interceptor == nil {
+		return srv.(VictronServer).IsValidDevice(ctx, in)
+	}
+	info := &grpc.UnaryServerInfo{
+		Server:     srv,
+		FullMethod: Victron_IsValidDevice_FullMethodName,
+	}
+	handler := func(ctx context.Context, req interface{}) (interface{}, error) {
+		return srv.(VictronServer).IsValidDevice(ctx, req.(*VictronRequest))
+	}
+	return interceptor(ctx, in, info, handler)
+}
+
+// Victron_ServiceDesc is the grpc.ServiceDesc for Victron service.
+// It's only intended for direct use with grpc.RegisterService,
+// and not to be introspected or modified (even as a copy)
+var Victron_ServiceDesc = grpc.ServiceDesc{
+	ServiceName: "Victron",
+	HandlerType: (*VictronServer)(nil),
+	Methods: []grpc.MethodDesc{
+		{
+			MethodName: "IsValidDevice",
+			Handler:    _Victron_IsValidDevice_Handler,
+		},
+	},
+	Streams:  []grpc.StreamDesc{},
+	Metadata: "proto/victron.proto",
+}
diff --git a/api/proto/victron.proto b/api/proto/victron.proto
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9c6614c67
--- /dev/null
+++ b/api/proto/victron.proto
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+syntax = "proto3";
+
+// protoc proto/victron.proto --go_out=. --go-grpc_out=.
+
+option go_package = "proto/pb";
+
+service Victron {
+	rpc IsValidDevice (VictronRequest) returns (VictronReply) {}
+}
+
+message VictronRequest {
+	string productId = 1;
+	string vrmId = 2;
+	string serial = 3;
+	string board = 4;
+}
+
+message VictronReply {
+	bool authorized = 1;
+	string subject = 2;
+}
diff --git a/util/sponsor/auth.go b/util/sponsor/auth.go
index a2f4b14f5..56243153e 100644
--- a/util/sponsor/auth.go
+++ b/util/sponsor/auth.go
@@ -16,19 +16,27 @@ var (
 	ExpiresAt      time.Time
 )
 
-const unavailable = "sponsorship unavailable"
+const (
+	unavailable = "sponsorship unavailable"
+	victron     = "victron-device"
+)
 
 func IsAuthorized() bool {
 	return len(Subject) > 0
 }
 
 func IsAuthorizedForApi() bool {
-	return IsAuthorized() && Subject != unavailable
+	return IsAuthorized() && Token != ""
 }
 
 // check and set sponsorship token
 func ConfigureSponsorship(token string) error {
 	if token == "" {
+		if sub := checkVictron(); sub != "" {
+			Subject = sub
+			return nil
+		}
+
 		var err error
 		if token, err = readSerial(); token == "" || err != nil {
 			return err
diff --git a/util/sponsor/victron.go b/util/sponsor/victron.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c6a774780
--- /dev/null
+++ b/util/sponsor/victron.go
@@ -0,0 +1,114 @@
+package sponsor
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"os/exec"
+	"runtime"
+	"strings"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/evcc-io/evcc/api/proto/pb"
+	"github.com/evcc-io/evcc/util/cloud"
+	"github.com/evcc-io/evcc/util/request"
+	"google.golang.org/grpc/codes"
+	"google.golang.org/grpc/status"
+)
+
+// checkVictron checks if the hardware is a supported victron device and returns sponsor subject
+func checkVictron() string {
+	vd, err := victronDeviceInfo()
+	if err != nil {
+		// unable to retrieve all device info
+		return ""
+	}
+
+	conn, err := cloud.Connection()
+	if err != nil {
+		// unable to connect to cloud
+		return unavailable
+	}
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), request.Timeout)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	client := pb.NewVictronClient(conn)
+	res, err := client.IsValidDevice(ctx, &pb.VictronRequest{
+		ProductId: vd.ProductId,
+		VrmId:     vd.VrmId,
+		Serial:    vd.Serial,
+		Board:     vd.Board,
+	})
+
+	if err == nil && res.Authorized {
+		// cloud check successful
+		return victron
+	}
+
+	if s, ok := status.FromError(err); ok && s.Code() != codes.Unknown {
+		// technical error during validation
+		return unavailable
+	}
+
+	return ""
+}
+
+type victronDevice struct {
+	ProductId string
+	VrmId     string
+	Serial    string
+	Board     string
+}
+
+func commandExists(cmd string) error {
+	_, err := exec.LookPath(cmd)
+	return err
+}
+
+func executeCommand(ctx context.Context, cmd string, args ...string) (string, error) {
+	command := exec.CommandContext(ctx, cmd, args...)
+	output, err := command.Output()
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	result := strings.TrimSpace(string(output))
+	if result == "" {
+		return "", errors.New("empty output")
+	}
+	return result, nil
+}
+
+func victronDeviceInfo() (victronDevice, error) {
+	if runtime.GOOS != "linux" {
+		return victronDevice{}, errors.New("non-linux os")
+	}
+
+	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 5*time.Second)
+	defer cancel()
+
+	var vd victronDevice
+
+	commands := []struct {
+		field *string
+		cmd   string
+		args  []string
+	}{
+		{field: &vd.Board, cmd: "/usr/bin/board-compat"},
+		{field: &vd.ProductId, cmd: "/usr/bin/product-id"},
+		{field: &vd.VrmId, cmd: "/sbin/get-unique-id"},
+		{field: &vd.Serial, cmd: "/opt/victronenergy/venus-eeprom/eeprom", args: []string{"--show", "serial-number"}},
+	}
+
+	for _, detail := range commands {
+		if err := commandExists(detail.cmd); err != nil {
+			return vd, errors.New("cmd not found: " + detail.cmd)
+		}
+		output, err := executeCommand(ctx, detail.cmd, detail.args...)
+		if err != nil {
+			return vd, err
+		}
+		*detail.field = output
+	}
+
+	return vd, nil
+}