The Düsseldorf-based software developer Smart Concepts AG has succeeded in developing software that can combine conventional smart home components from different manufacturers into one system and thus control them centrally. Existing or newly created buildings such as private homes, offices or even factories can be equipped or converted with smart home or smart building technology. But not, as is customary to this day, in the use of an app or software responsible for each element, which can only be laboriously combined and centrally controlled, but by means of a revolutionary, new “all-in-one solution” for smart homes or smart buildings.
Anyone who talks about smart homes, smart buildings or smart living in general means technical procedures and systems in living and working rooms that can network and intelligently control household technology and various household appliances as well as electronic components. In the course of increasing sustainability and environmental awareness, the use of smart home technology is intended to increase the living and quality of life, safety and efficient energy use on the basis of a fully automated, networked and remotely controllable software and hardware.
Today, for example, smart home concepts promise so-called “smart living”, the “smart living” based on technical procedures and suitable software solutions, which are supposed to make life easier. In addition, people have changed attitudes towards consumption, longevity and a sense of responsibility. In the course of digitalisation and in the interests of emission protection, houses, apartments and buildings in private and industrial use are to be equipped with more and more smart technology in order to ensure efficient building management that corresponds to the zeitgeist of sustainability, efficiency, cost and energy savings and environmentally conscious consumption. With the help of the newly developed software of Smart Concepts AG, users such as architects, engineers, installers and planners save the time-consuming individual viewing of many different smart components in order to combine them. This composition consists of documentation, installation instructions, operating instructions, data sheets, operating codes, etc. that are required for converting or equipping buildings to smart home technology. When used for private houses or apartments or industrialbuildings, the software reduces the time required for installation and application, is clearer in its handling and avoids the “Trial&Error” principle when trying to combine the different components in the conventional way. Christian Wigge and the founding team of Smart Concepts AGsee the development of the new hardware and software as an important achievement in the conversion of houses into smart buildings: “We are taking the conversion of houses and buildings with smart home technology to a new level.”
The smart home market and its development
The connected home, our smart home of the future, where as many technical devices as possible are coupled with each other and can be operated with only one device and via one application, is attracting more and more interested parties and users. Most people already use “smart devices,” also known as gadgets. This includes the mobile phone, the TV, or “Alexa”, Amazon’s voice assistant, which is also capable of controlling other smart home devices. Smart technology has surrounded people for years and interest in it is constantly growing. The younger generation in particular is becoming more and more open to technical developments. According to a survey by the Hamburg-based market research institute “Splendid Research”, 40 percent of Germans use at least one smart home-enabled device. However, most do not have higher-level “system logic”, but devices and possibilities are used arbitrarily and independently of each other. The sales expectations in the smart home market in the German market in 2020 were EUR 4.23 billion, with a share of about 20% of homeowners being responsive or interested in the topic. Experts predict an increase to 7.85 billion euros by 2025, which promises annual sales growth of 13.2%. All in all, it is a market with good and stable growth prospects. The “Energy Management” sector is connected to just 13 million households in Germany, with a lot of room to go.
Good opportunities for investors
The Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control( BAFA for short, supports young and innovative companies that deal with future technologies. (Example: Federal funding for efficient buildings.) The Düsseldorf-based software developer is one of them. For this reason, Smart Concepts AG issues shares at an attractive issue price to investors who participate directly from BAFA funding. A so-called Invest programme provides for a 20% grant to be granted on venture capital invested. Investors will therefore receive a 20 percent repayment on a minimum investment of 10,000 euros. This money will not be reclaimed later if it is left in the company for at least 3 years. An increase in the value of the company’s shares is still tax-free on top, because BAFA reimburses a possible capital gains tax. The company generates its revenues from the sale and rental of its smart home technology, from the subsequent acquisition of real estate that is converted or equipped with smart home components, and from possible price gains resulting from the Going Public, a stock market listing. Optimal conditions to join the “Düsseldorfer Innovativ-Schmiede”. For more information: www.smartconceptsag.de
