The way we live is changing — fast.
From voice-controlled curtains to mood-responsive lighting, home automation is no longer a futuristic luxury — it’s becoming the new standard for comfort, security, and energy efficiency.
Across Europe, the U.S., and the Middle East, startups are crafting smarter living spaces that sense, adapt, and respond to human presence. These aren’t just devices; they’re design philosophies for how life will feel inside tomorrow’s homes.
Here are 10 home-automation startups redefining what it means to live intelligently — and luxuriously.
1. Josh.ai (USA) — “Voice-First Home-Automation Reimagined”
Founded by Tim Gill and Alex Capecelatro, Josh.ai is built for homes where privacy, precision, and performance matter. Its voice assistant integrates seamlessly across devices, giving homeowners effortless control over lighting, music, and climate — all without compromising data security.
Funding: Around $11 million in Series A.
Why it stands out: Josh.ai brings emotional intelligence to voice control — understanding context, tone, and multi-command phrases.
Next move: Expanding integrations with luxury builders and scaling globally with ambient AI controls.
2. tado° (Germany) — “Smart Climate, Smarter Living”
Founded by Christian Deilmann, Johannes Schwarz, and Valentin Sawadski, tado° started by redefining climate control. Its intelligent thermostats adapt automatically to presence, weather, and personal preference.
Funding: Over €100 million raised.
Why it stands out: With its sleek European design and data-driven intelligence, tado° doesn’t just adjust temperature — it predicts comfort.
Next move: Integrating energy-optimization models and expanding across high-efficiency smart homes in Europe.
3. Netatmo (France) — “Connected Devices for Smarter Homes”
Founded by Fred Potter and Jean-Pierre Dumolard, Netatmo creates connected devices that balance utility with aesthetics — from air-quality monitors to intelligent cameras.
Funding: Over €30 million before being acquired by Legrand.
Why it stands out: Netatmo brings a “designer touch” to tech — simple, intuitive, and deeply integrated with daily life.
Next move: Merging its platform into full-home ecosystems across Europe and Asia.
4. Sense (USA) — “Know Your Home, Master Your Energy”
Sense gives homeowners real-time visibility into how every appliance behaves — detecting devices through their unique energy signatures.
Funding: Over $160 million raised.
Why it stands out: It transforms electricity data into actionable insights, enabling smarter automation that saves energy without compromising comfort.
Next move: Expanding partnerships with smart-grid providers and integrating predictive AI to automate energy use.
5. IOTAS (USA) — “Smart Apartments for Modern Living”
Designed for developers and property managers, IOTAS turns entire buildings into smart ecosystems.
Funding: Around $20 million.
Why it stands out: It goes beyond single-home automation — enabling multi-family residences to deliver a luxury experience through unified tech control.
Next move: Targeting luxury residential communities and co-living developments globally.
6. Homebound (USA) — “Building the Smart Homes of Tomorrow”
Founded by Nikki Pechet, Homebound integrates automation directly into the building process — creating homes that are smart from the foundation up.
Funding: Approximately $75 million raised.
Why it stands out: Homebound treats technology as architecture, not an add-on — the entire home adapts to its residents.
Next move: Launching smart-enabled home models with top builders across North America.
7. K4 Connect (USA) — “Technology that Cares”
Originally built for aging-in-place communities, K4 Connect’s platform has evolved into an automation system for premium residences and wellness-focused living.
Funding: Around $20 million.
Why it stands out: Combines automation with wellness — offering personalized lighting, temperature, and activity monitoring for comfort and care.
Next move: Partnering with luxury housing providers to deliver smarter, service-driven residential experiences.
8. Keus Smart Home (India) — “Intelligent Living for the Modern Home”
Founded by Brijesh Chandwani and Subram Kapoor, Keus brings full-stack home-automation systems to emerging luxury markets across India and the Middle East.
Funding: Around ₹100 crore (US$12 million).
Why it stands out: Focused on regional aesthetics and tech harmony, Keus builds integrated living experiences rather than fragmented gadget systems.
Next move: Expansion into GCC smart-villa developments and strategic partnerships with premium real-estate brands.
9. Hotelverse (Spain) — “Digital Twins for Residential Design”
While initially built for hotels, Hotelverse is now helping luxury real-estate developers use digital-twin models for immersive home design and automation previews.
Funding: Over €5 million.
Why it stands out: It merges architecture, tech, and experience — letting homeowners visualize automation before construction.
Next move: Expanding digital-twin tools for smart residential communities in Europe and the Middle East.
10. Boundary (UK) — “Secure. Smart. Seamless.”
This London-based startup combines home-security systems with automation — motion sensors, cameras, and lighting that communicate as one intelligent ecosystem.
Funding: Over £1.7 million.
Why it stands out: Security is the heartbeat of a smart home — and Boundary ensures it’s silent, invisible, and always active.
Next move: Rolling out premium security-automation bundles across luxury markets in Europe and the Gulf.
Why These Startups Matter
– Homes are becoming adaptive environments. The walls, lights, and climate now respond to presence, not switches.
– Design meets intelligence. Aesthetic minimalism meets deep learning — automation that feels effortless, not mechanical.
– Living sustainably is the new luxury. Smart energy management and predictive automation are becoming cornerstones of affluent living.
– Builders are going digital. The smartest move isn’t upgrading homes — it’s building smart from the start.
Final Thoughts
Our homes are no longer static spaces — they’re living, learning environments that grow with us. The startups leading this evolution are blending beauty, intelligence, and sustainability into a single language: convenience.
At McArrows, we work with product and technology companies that shape how people live, move, and connect. Whether you’re a home-automation startup, a real-estate innovator, or a tech-driven lifestyle brand, our mission is to align your product story with real market growth.
