Control4 Secures Venture Funding for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) product initiatives.
July 13, 2009

This article is a follow-up to our June 3, 2009 blog entitled "How Your Home Can Interact With the Smart Power Meter".

Last week Control4 issued a press release announcing it has secured an additional $17.3 million in equity financing. Best Buy Capital, Mercato Partners and University Venture Fund join current investors Foundation Capital, Frazier Technology Ventures, Thomas Weisel Venture Partners and vSpring Capital, to accelerate Control4's development in energy management systems and home energy displays for the company's emerging Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) product initiatives.

AMI includes network management systems, enhanced electric meter capabilities and Home Area Network (HAN) devices as key technologies required to enable the Smart Grid. HAN devices such as energy management systems and displays allow customers to view real-time usage information, enabling active participation of an energy-conscious America. Network management systems allow a new level of excellence in utility operations and customer service.

The above adds credence to our previous statement: "Control4 is working on an interface to translate the Smart Energy profile into a form enabling its home controllers to manage ZigBee Pro lighting devices, thermostats, and other components for an integrated home power control solution". More importantly it enables Control4 to take AMI past the strategy stage and into the execution stage of product development and deployment.

Control4's proven operating system and HAN management products will enable new in-home solutions and advanced Smart Grid applications, which improve operational efficiency for utilities while delivering exceptional features and benefits for the consumer.

"Our innovative home automation and energy management solutions provide exciting new energy monitoring and control capabilities that meet the needs of utilities and energy-conscious consumers," said Will West, CEO at Control4. "This funding will help us maximize this new market opportunity by advancing Control4's ability to control and integrate with other devices in any residence or business connected to a Smart Grid. With this financing, we can increase our resources to deliver products desired by homeowners, businesses and utility companies alike."