Márcia Pereira, CEO, 34269
“Bandora is distinguished by the fact that its predictive models of energy consumption and room temperature can be used in any type of building.”
We want to know more about Bandora.
Bandora develops a virtual building manager that automates decision-making regarding the operation of service buildings. At the moment we control hVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems, particularly when on and off, what mode and temperature you want. Our goal is to maximize the energy performance of buildings, overcome the complexity of current IoT systems, support human supervision and improve occupant comfort.Our first customer achieved 63% savings in energy consumption after a month of using Bandora and substantially reduced its users’ complaints.
What does it mean for your start-up to be inserted in Taguspark?
Somehow it means a return home. Both founders have a very close relationship with the Municipality of Oeiras. Ricardo has always collaborated in technological companies inserted in the different business parks of Oeiras and Márcia was born and raised in the parish of Barcarena! But more than the affective relationship, there is also the recognition of Taguspark being a pole of innovation and the origin of excellent practices with regard to Research and Development.
Bandora is in a transition phase, with more and new projects, so you will have to increase your team. We believe that the fact that we also reside in Taguspark will be fundamental in attracting talent.
In terms of current projects, can you highlight or reveal any innovation or new projects you are working on?
It is already in the public domain that Bandora is part of a large consortium within the prr – Mobilizing Agendas. The “Illiance” project, led by Bosch, was approved and signed on 23 July. The bandora component amounts to 2M€.
Can you dig deeper into this project a little bit?
This project is part of the “habitat” domain and aims to provide the residential buildings with innovation projects that contribute to the three pillars of the agenda: sustainability, health and comfort. These projects integrate technologies that will allow the opening of new markets, but also the industrialization processes themselves integrate recent technologies such as machine learning, advanced robotics and more sustainable industrial processes that allow the reduction of energy consumption.As far as Bandora is concerned, over a period of 42 months there will be a team of eight new resources dedicated to full-time to adapt its B2B product to the reality of the residential segment, integrating new systems in addition to air conditioning, such as electric vehicle chargers and environmental sensors. Our focus will be not only to optimize consumption, but to optimize the entire domestic energy ecosystem: consumption, production and storage.
How does Bandora position yourself in the national and international market (who are your potential customers, what differentiates your project from other existing ones)?
Bandora is a B2B solution, which is intended for non-residential buildings. Although Bandora is being marketed directly to the end customer, i.e. to the owner or tenant of the building, the sale by channel is the way to scale the business. Maintenance, real estate management and IoT installation companies present themselves as Bandora’s ideal partners.
Bandora is distinguished by the fact that its predictive models of energy consumption and room temperature can be used in any type of building, from a restaurant in a fast food chain to a medium-sized office, so we were able to accelerate implementation. In addition, we are unique in understanding the importance of occupant feedback, allowing buildings to be adapted to people and not people to buildings.
In a sentence, indicate the importance of innovation for social and economic development.
The incessant search for innovation and its application only makes sense if it is at the service of the population and generates a positive impact on the economy.
What are bandora’s medium- to long-term prospects for the medium, long-term?
We are preparing a seed investment round, with the primary goal of strengthening the sales team. We intend to implement our trade strategy, not only on national territory, but also internationally. Our perspective is to reach the target of 2000 buildings by 2024.
Bandora arrives at Taguspark via Pitch at the Beach. How was that experience?
It was all very unexpected for us. It all started in a newsletter, which quickly became a quick and easy sign-up, until it came to a strangely informal event. We had the privilege of living with people who at other events would be impossible, or at least much more difficult: from one of starbucks’ founders, to investors or even leaders of the World Economic Forum. Winning the startup competition was also a surprise, because the competition was quite strong and many of the pitch were quite well built and with ideas with a lot of potential.
Due to all the commitment, support and affection of the Taguspark team, Bandora was able to enjoy a soft landing in the facilities of the technology park. We are very expectant because we believe we grow more and better in Oeiras.
