Trilliant buys SkyPilot to extend its smart grid reach
Trilliant, provider of devices and networks that allow smart meters to beam energy data directly to utilities, has extended its reach with the acquisition of SkyPilot Networks, provider of mesh broadband coverage. No financial terms have been disclosed. Both companies had previously raised a substantial amount of capital.
Based in Santa Clara, Calif., SkyPilot specialized in broadband networks for surveillance data and other municipal applications. It served more than 500 customers in 50 countries. The deal will allow Trilliant to plug its various residential networks into SkyPilot’s more extensive metropolitan mesh networks. The data trasmitted between utilities and consumers could cut energy use by up to 20 percent, the company says.
In the past, Trilliant has focused on making radio modules that hook into neighborhood-wide networks. The modules are located inside various household appliances, including thermostates, meters, refrigerators and dryers — sending utilities very specific consumption data. The company already works with 100 utilities across the country in this capacity.
SkyPilot previously raised $70 million in venture capital over several rounds fro AOL Time Warner Investments, Invesco Private Capital, Mobius Venture Capital, Nexit Ventures, Palo Alto Investors, Softbank and Selby Venture Partners. Redwood City, Calif.-based Trilliant last raised financing in August, bringing in $40 million from MissionPoint Capital and Zouk Ventures.
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About the Author, Camille Ricketts
Camille is the lead writer for GreenBeat. She came to VentureBeat from Google where she worked on its traditional platforms team, particularly in TV. Before that, she was a reporter for the Wall Street Journal in New York and London. Follow her on Twitter at @camillericketts, and follow VentureBeat on Twitter at @venturebeat.
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