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Pavegen’s Hong Kong Deal Signals 2025 Smart City Breakthrough
July 31st, 2025Secom Strengthens Global Presence with Strategic $60m Avtel Acquisition
July 30th, 2025
Startup Acquisitions Surge 60% in Smart Buildings: 10 Big Strategic H1 2025 Deals
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 […]
Carnot’s Energy Optimization Solutions 2025 Expansion in Asia & Middle East
This Research Note examines Carnot Innovations, a Hong Kong-based smart buildings startup. We explore their AI-powered energy optimization solutions, deployments, funding, and partnerships. Carnot Innovations Profile Founded in 2018, Carnot Innovations has developed a proprietary AI Optimization and Analytics solution to control buildings in real-time, aiming to improve the operational and resource efficiency of buildings […]
WeMaintain Achieves Strong International Growth: 70% Business Outside France
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 […]
Smart Building Startups Navigate Shifting Investment Landscape in 2025
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 […]
METRON Targets 2025 Breakeven with Global Growth Strategy
This Research Note takes an in-depth look at METRON, a French energy optimization startup offering an energy performance and carbon emissions reduction platform for multi-site industrial and commercial enterprises. We examine the company profile, external funding, regional presence, acquisitions, and partnerships, and conclude the analysis with our own view. METRON Profile Founded in 2013, by […]
Techem’s Major €6.7B Acquisition by Partners Group to Drive Next Growth Phase
This Research Note examines what’s behind the announcement of the €6.7B acquisition of German submetering firm, Techem by Partners Group and a consortium of minority investors. We highlight the transaction details, ownership history, and strategic rationale, as well as reviewing Techem’s financials and device and services portfolio. Transaction Details Partners Group, GIC, TPG Rise Climate, […]
Utopi Achieves Strong 2025 Growth in Decarbonizing Student Accommodation
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 […]
Legrand Expands Access Control Business with €254m Cogelec Deal
In this Research Note, we examine what’s behind Legrand’s agreement to acquire a majority stake in Cogelec, a French specialist in access control. We explore the transaction details, Cogelec’s business model and current offerings, Legrand’s door entry systems, and the strategic rationale of the acquisition. Transaction Details On 9th July 2025, Legrand and Cogelec announced the signing of […]
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