Connecticut Innovations’ $1.5 Million Investment in Emme Spurs Company’s Relocation to Connecticut
Rocky Hill, Conn., October 1, 2012 – Connecticut Innovations (CI), the state’s quasi-public authority responsible for growing Connecticut businesses through innovative financing tools and assistance, today announced that it has made an investment of $1.5 million in Emme E2MS LLC (dba Emme) through its Eli Whitney Fund. This investment, part of a $3 million Series A financing involving Advantage Capital Partners, the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, Enhanced Capital and individual investors, spurred the company’s recent relocation from Beaverton, Ore., to Bristol, Conn.
“We’re delighted that Emme has selected Bristol, Connecticut, as the location for its new headquarters,” said Claire Leonardi, chief executive officer and executive director of CI. “The funding from CI and our Connecticut-based co-investors, as well as the abundance of engineering talent in Connecticut, will help grow and sustain the company as it continues to innovate and broaden its reach in the marketplace.”
Emme has developed a proprietary energy management system consisting of a suite of products that provide more flexible and effective building climate control and deliver energy savings. Using wireless temperature sensors, advanced thermodynamic data analysis and control algorithms and built-in zoning, Emme’s system offers customers a range of solutions from smart thermostats to an advanced system providing temperature control to individual rooms. Customers benefit not only from greater comfort but also HVAC savings of up to 40 percent.
Emme has already created eight Connecticut jobs in engineering, installation/service technical support, finance, and general management.
“I want to thank Connecticut Innovations and the State of Connecticut’s Department of Economic and Community Development for the support we’ve received as Emme establishes itself in the market,” said Jon Brodeur, chief executive officer of Emme. “Their financial assistance and guidance have enabled us to smoothly transition our technology base from Oregon to Connecticut, putting us in a position to quickly fill the majority of our key positions with local personnel.”
Emme’s system, which replaces existing household thermostats and HVAC equipment controls, also features Internet connectivity, enabling remote access, monitoring and troubleshooting by HVAC contractors. Additionally, the building-specific energy usage information stored by the system may be used to create a comprehensive energy audit that may be used to guide homeowners and commercial business owners to further energy savings.
The initial rollout of Emme’s advanced energy management system began in 2004 under the Home Comfort Zones Company name and brand. The technology has evolved and improved over time, and has received positive reviews from BUILDER Magazine Top 10 National Builders and top HVAC contractors in selected markets where it has been evaluated. Top awards and national recognition have come from Popular Science, Pacific Coast Builders Conference (PCBC), and Ask This Old House.
David Wurzer, CI managing director of investments, will serve on Emme’s board of directors.
About Connecticut Innovations Inc.
Connecticut Innovations (CI) is a quasi-public corporation providing equity, debt and bond financing and other forms of financial assistance to companies in all stages of the business life cycle, from startup to later stage. CI offers its portfolio companies strategic guidance and collaborations with partners in business, finance, education, government and nonprofit sectors. CI’s initiatives are designed to grow the state’s economic and technology base, and to stimulate business investments and job creation. For more information on CI, visit www.ctinnovations.com.
About Emme E2MS LLC (dba Emme)
Emme (www.getemme.com) is now a Connecticut-based company offering advanced environmental control and energy management products to the residential and light commercial markets. The robust platform allows Emme to push new feature and functionality upgrades to installed systems in the field as needed. Users of the Emme products are able to remotely access their system from any Internet connected device in order to monitor, control and change settings. Emme offers a growing suite of complimentary product modules geared to improve user comfort while enabling energy savings. Emme is designed to operate and control most forced air systems in the market place and can be installed into existing or new homes and businesses in as little as 45 minutes.
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