Articles

In this Research Note, we review 10 notable acquisitions completed in H1 2025 by strategic buyers. These transactions are profiled in our recently published Startups in Smart Buildings H1 2025 Report. 42 acquisitions of startups founded since 2014 were identified in the report, over 60% increase in deal count compared to the same period last […]

This Research Note examines the French startup, WeMaintain, established as an independent maintenance company to challenge the incumbent elevator and escalator manufacturers with IoT-based monitoring and superior service.  This article updates our 2022 Research Notes on the company in  July 2022 and October 2023. WeMaintain Profile Founded in 2017, WeMaintain offers tech-enabled predictive maintenance operations […]

The smart building startups ecosystem could be experiencing a point of inflection. While venture capital funding has cooled by 13% in the first half of 2025, merger and acquisition activity has exploded by over 60%, signaling a maturing market where consolidation trumps speculation. Our latest comprehensive analysis of 1,266 startups founded since 2014 reveals a […]

This Research Note examines Utopi, a Scottish IoT device startup that has gained traction in the Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) market.  We explore the firm’s software and hardware offerings, deployments, funding, and financial highlights. Utopi Profile Founded in 2019 in Lanarkshire, Scotland by Ben Roberts, Falk Bleyl, John Trower, and CEO Jonathan Burridge, Utopi Ltd […]

In this Research Note, we examine Helvar Oy, the Finnish provider of lighting control and sensing solutions, one of four subsidiaries of Helvar Merca Oy, the ultimate parent company. This article highlights the firm’s main solutions, its latest financial results, company reorganization, and business outlook. This updates our previous analysis of the company from July […]

Did you miss our live stream last week? We explored the complex ecosystem of IoT platforms reshaping how commercial buildings operate, from traditional office spaces to data centers. We examined the five technology tiers, analyzed the competitive landscape of unified versus specialized platforms, and investigated how artificial intelligence is fundamentally disrupting traditional software-as-a-service business models […]

This Research Note explores what’s behind the acquisition of Airthings’ business segment by Zehnder Group, a Swiss indoor climate solutions manufacturer, announced on 16th June 2025. We examine the transaction details, Zehnder Group’s strategic rationale, and its ongoing portfolio transformation. Transaction Details Airthings ASA has agreed a non-binding exclusive Letter of Intent (LOI) for the […]

This Research Note examines vilisto GmbH, a German startup that has gained traction offering smart thermostats for application in non-residential buildings. We highlight their products, funding, deployments, and growth in revenues and headcount. Vilisto Profile vilisto GmbH was founded in 2016 in Hamburg, Germany, by Christoph Berger, Christian Brase, and Lasse Stehnken. Following a pivot in […]