by Brianna Crandall — January 18, 2017 — Encycle Corp. recently announced that it has closed on the initial tranche of an $11.5 million investment in its software-as-a-service (SaaS) led by Prelude Ventures of San Francisco and NGEN Partners of New York City. Major investors from previous financings, including BDC, Duke Ventures, EDC (Export Development Canada), and EnerTech Capital, all participated.
Encycle says its patented Swarm Logic is a highly cost-effective and simple-to-deploy software-as-a-service that synchronizes the operation of a cluster of rooftop air-conditioning units (RTUs) to create energy savings averaging 20 to 25 percent.
Encycle has emerged as a major energy service provider assisting its clients to succeed in their sustainability program initiatives. The hundreds of facilities served by Encycle range from a 7,500-square-foot retail store to a 1.9 million-square-foot distribution center, with a number of shopping malls and movie theaters in between.
Tim Woodward, managing director at Prelude Ventures, stated:
Encycle has a deep bench of referenceable clients validating the energy savings and economic benefits from demand management. This capital will fund the commercial launch of Encycle’s SaaS offering that will significantly ease the installation logistics and costs, and expand channel relationship opportunities. Just as virtually all commercial facilities have already adopted LED lighting programs to meet sustainability objectives, RTUs are the next major load to be optimized.
Robert Chiste, Encycle’s president and CEO, added:
We are very pleased that Prelude Ventures has joined NGEN Partners and the other existing Encycle investors. We are growing our client base with the recognition that our Swarm solution is an extremely effective “set and forget” service. The funding will accelerate our existing SwarmController program as well as the introduction of our offering with smart thermostat and BMS (Building Management System) channel partners launching in early 2017.
As we deliver the Swarm Technology through direct sales and various channel partners, our EASE (Energy as a Service by Encycle) program will provide an excellent opportunity to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions more simply and cost effectively than other sustainability initiatives including LEDs, rooftop solar and battery storage.
For more information on the Swarm Logic software-as-a-service, visit the Encycle Web site.
