Stanford-Start X fund, an investment vehicle affiliated with Stanford University, backed a $21m series A tranche for US-based internet of things (IoT) developer Brilliant on Wednesday.
The round was led by VC firm August Capital with contributions from Miramar Ventures and BoxGroup.
Brilliant has developed a smart touch panel for lighting, heating and other connected household products. The device replaces an ordinary light switch so the operator can make adjustments without carrying a smartphone.
The cash will help prepare for Brilliant’s official product launch in either late 2017 or in 2018 by adding extra retail channels and partnerships. It will also support further research and product development.
Brilliant had earlier raised an undisclosed sum from SV Tech Ventures, ChinaRock Capital Management and individual investor Cyriac Roeding, according to deals database PitchBook, though a date could not be ascertained. Brilliant is however listed in SV Tech Ventures’ IoT portfolio.
David Hornik, general partner of August Capital, now joins Brilliant’s board, while former Sonos sales executive Kostas Reissis has been appointed as vice president for sales at the startup.
Aaron Emigh, CEO and co-founder of Brilliant, added, “Ambient computing is the next big technology trend, and the home will be the battleground.
“Support from investors of this calibre is a validation that a great experience is critical in the smart home of the future.”
