Deako Lighting

Deako™, the creator of the industry's first modular smart lighting system for homeowners, proudly announces a significant milestone with the approval of its 10th U.S. patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This brings Deako to 14 patents internationally, and underscores the smart home company's role as a pioneer in the industry as it brings the newest technologies available to homeowners.

Deako's newest granted patents extend their most groundbreaking innovations.

• US Patent #11,367,288, is for Deako's backplate, which is the core of the plug and play technology that the company is best known for. Specifically, the easy-to-use safety cover mechanism within the backplate ensures that switches are installed correctly and securely. The mechanism protects homeowners from main voltage when a switch is removed. When a switch is inserted, it locks the switch in place. This makes sure that electrical contacts are never exposed to homeowners, protecting their safety.
• US Patent #10,153,113 broadens Deako's Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning technology portfolio, enhancing Deako's ability to anticipate homeowners intentions. The system adapts to homeowner and anticipates their preferences. When implemented, lights will turn on in a room before someone enters the space. For example, if someone's routine is to sit down in their home office every morning, the lights will turn on and blinds will open when they approach their office to start the workday.
• Finally, the configurability of Deako's flagship backplate components is now protected by US Patent #10,741,960. This technology enables the backplate to communicate with other devices on the network so people can assign multiple control options and multiple appliances to a single switch.
• This news is a testament to Deako's dedication to advancing smart home customizability for homeowners and further solidifies its leadership position, and also allows its builder partners such as D.R. Horton, Meritage Homes, Toll Brothers, and Stone Martin to have their homes stand out to potential homebuyers.

Derek Richardson, CEO and Founder of Deako, stated, "Receiving these patents marks a significant milestone for Deako. It's a true reflection of our ongoing commitment to driving innovation in smart lighting and our dedication to providing cutting-edge technology to builders and new home buyers. We are excited about all we have achieved and are immensely proud of our ability to deliver a truly distinct product to our customers."

These patents have laid the foundation for Deako's continued success and set the stage for a strong growth trajectory. Deako's switches allow for broader electrical control, making smart home adoption simple and seamless.

Seattle, Washington -- The creator of the industry's first modular smart lighting system, Deako, announces record growth for 2023. Since its inception, the company has sold more than 15 million products, with an increase of 55% in gross revenue year-over-year. As the company prepares for another strong year in 2024, Deako will be expanding its executive team with the hire of Chris Miller as Chief Financial Officer and David Cathey to the role of Chief Revenue Officer.

Deako has been revolutionizing smart lighting since its inception in 2015. Founded by current CEO Derek Richardson, Deako allows homeowners to swap out to any light switches in their homes in a matter of seconds for true customization. Deako also gives builders like D.R. Horton, The New Home Company, Toll Brothers and Stone Martin an advantage in sales, as it can keep home prices low while providing owners with the ability to customize their lighting solution with smart technology however best fits their needs. This is especially critical given 78% of home buyers would pay more for a home with existing smart devices, and smart lighting ranks second for the most desired smart home technology.

Deako's momentum makes now the perfect time for the expansion of its leadership team. CFO Chris Miller has a background in scaling smart technology companies, including Vivint, Nortek, 2GIG, and Control4, leading teams in operational finance, strategy, FP&A, M&A, and analytics. At Deako, Miller will be responsible for supporting the company's continued growth, working alongside Derek and the finance team to raise growth capital and expand into new market segments. As CRO, Cathey will collaborate closely with the team to optimize business performance and exceed company goals for growth. His background in overseeing P&Ls, M&A, sales, marketing, technology and operations within companies such as Intrado, Questline, and GreenMarbles, combined with his purpose-driven leadership style, positions him as a valuable addition to Deako's expanding executive team.

"I am thrilled to be joining Deako during a period of tremendous growth. Having been part of the smart home industry for most of my career, I am aware how Deako's innovative modular platform has the potential to become the standard and expectation for consumers in the market. At the same time, Deako is unique in its ability to make the smart home effortless for homeowners," said Chris Miller, Deako's CFO.

"I truly believe that Deako is revolutionizing the smart home sector, and am looking forward to further propelling the business forward as I step into the role of CRO. I've spent more than two decades working across marketing, sales, technology and product development, and am eager to bring those skills together in my new role at Deako. Derek has built an incredible company, and I'm excited to be part of this journey with him," commented Deako's CRO, David Cathey.

Miller is based in Utah and Cathey will be based in Florida, but will spend time at the company's Seattle headquarters. Deako's partnerships and products bring it to more than 38 states in the Northeast, Western, and Southern United States.

"I am very excited for the next phase of Deako's growth. We've been able to accomplish so much in the past eight years, and with Chris and David joining our team, I know that this is still just the beginning," commented Derek Richardson, founder and CEO of Deako. "Where someone lives and the comfort people have in their homes is of the utmost importance. At Deako, we're making sure that people can make their homes truly theirs, and that their homes can evolve with them - whether it's turning an office into a nursery, revamping the mood of a room with a dimmer, or making it smarter in other ways while making it effortless. Our builder partnerships, success to date, and the addition of Chris and David indicate that while we've surpassed major sales milestones, there is still so much more opportunity for us in 2024 and beyond. We're excited by what we have planned for the smart home industry next year."

Seattle -- Deako™, the creator of the industry's first modular smart lighting system for homeowners, today announces a two-year exclusive contract with New Home Co. to install its modular lighting system in homes in California, Arizona, Colorado, Washington and Oregon. All New Home Co. homebuyers will move into homes with Deako lighting systems already embedded, allowing them to customize their lighting needs through its effortless plug-and-play light switches. Deako's innovative modular light switch system gives the power back to the homeowners, helping them save thousands of dollars by avoiding additional help from electricians for upgrades and switch swaps. New Home Co. homebuyers will have the opportunity to upgrade their light switches through available design programs at each community.

The partnership comes during a time of rapid growth for Deako, following launches with top builders such as American Legend Homes, LevelTX, and other distributors, including North Coast Electric. Deako's expansion highlights the continued consumer demand for smart home lighting options and streamlined technology offerings that are easy to use.

"We're thrilled to be bringing scalable smart lighting to new homeowners through our partnership with New Home Co.," said Derek Richardson, CEO and Founder of Deako. "As more consumers look for effortless ways to modernize and future-proof their homes, it's imperative to make smart technology simple to use for the experience of our customers. We're excited to work with a forward-thinking builder like New Home Co. to reimagine home lighting systems for the buyers."

New Home Co. is committed to building homes that prioritize innovative technology, sustainability and wellness. The company's personalized designs are available across California, Arizona, Colorado, Oregon and Washington with plans to expand in additional markets. Due to its new partnership with Deako, New Home Co. homeowners can enhance their customization capabilities to their lighting plans while also ensuring maximized home security.

"New Home Co. is always looking to provide our buyers with cutting edge home innovations, and partnering with Deako is a natural fit as we expand our industry-leading design solutions," said Nicole Summers, Vice President of National Purchasing & Architecture for New Home Co. "Homeowners are looking for the best products available to enhance their living spaces and get the most out of their investment. There's been a growing interest in smart technology, and we're excited to bring Deako's lighting systems to the homes of our customers to meet that demand."

For more information about Deako, visit www.deako.com.