Deako Lighting

Deako, the leading creator of modular smart lighting systems, today announces its CEO and Founder, Derek Richardson, was named to Entrepreneur's inaugural "Entrepreneur of 2024" list. This highlights 20 trailblazing leaders whose innovative work is shaping the future of entrepreneurship across industries.

Richardson's recognition stems from his visionary leadership at Deako, which has been revolutionizing the home lighting industry since inception in 2015. Deako's modular smart lighting system simplifies installation and enables homeowners to switch between smart and other specialty lighting with ease. The company's products are trusted by top homebuilders like D.R. Horton, Maronda Homes, Stone Martin, Toll Brothers, Meritage Homes, and more, and when Deako systems are included, data shows homes are sold 20 days faster than the average.

"It's an honor to be included in Entrepreneur's prestigious list of innovators," said Derek Richardson, CEO and Founder of Deako. "This is a testament to the incredible work of the Deako team and our commitment to creating smart lighting solutions that benefit homeowners and builders alike. As we continue to grow, I look forward to bringing our vision of effortless smart lighting to even more homes across America."

Deako's impact on the smart home industry is reflected in its remarkable expansion. With a three-year revenue growth of over 2,000% and a spot at No. 182 on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America, the company achieved a 52% increase in gross revenue in 2023 compared to 2022, with an expected 70% growth again in 2024. This success underscores Richardson's ability to align innovation with market needs, driving Deako to be a leader in the modular smart lighting sector.

Deako, the leading innovator in modular smart lighting solutions, announces it just signed a national exclusive agreement with CBUSA, a Buildertrend company. This deal designates Deako as the sole smart lighting partner for CBUSA's builder network over the next three years, establishing Deako as the premier smart light switch of choice by builders in America, including custom home builders.

As part of this agreement, CBUSA's extensive network of builders will have the opportunity to integrate Deako's cutting-edge modular lighting systems into their home designs. With more than 13,000 homes built each year, CBUSA's members now have access to Deako's patented smart lighting technology, which is designed to enhance safety, convenience and energy efficiency in new builds.

With a mission to empower homeowners to enhance the ambiance, convenience and security of their homes, Deako's modular switches offer unparalleled flexibility and ease of use. The industry's first modular smart lighting control system for homeowners wires into a standard junction box like any other light switch but acts as a receptor for any company device – including both smart and simple switches, dimmers, motion sensors, nightlights and more – while saving homeowners thousands of dollars in maintenance and upkeep.

"Deako is excited to partner with CBUSA to bring our innovative modular lighting systems to their members and welcome new homebuyers to a home that is customized, modern, secure and energy efficient," said Derek Richardson, CEO and Founder of Deako. "This collaboration represents a significant step in making Deako the smart lighting choice for builders and home buyers alike, and we are excited to kick off this partnership."

Deako's modular lighting system, known for its award-winning design, will be available to all CBUSA chapters. This agreement provides CBUSA members with special pricing and rebates on qualifying purchases, making it easier for builders to offer cutting-edge smart lighting options. By incorporating Deako's modular switches, builders can stand out in a competitive market and enhance their revenue per home.

"We are excited to offer Deako to our members and to elevate home builders' experiences, providing innovative lighting solutions that can be easily upgraded by builders themselves, putting the ultimate control back into their hands. Deako is a true partner to CBUSA, and we are excited to work together," said Brian Pavlick, President of CBUSA.

This latest partnership with CBUSA reinforces Deako's leadership position in the modular smart lighting industry, helping builders stay one step ahead of the demands of today's homebuyers.

About CBUSA​

A subsidiary of Buildertrend, CBUSA is the premier group purchasing organization for the nation's top independent home builders. For nearly 20 years, CBUSA has empowered over 800 members across 37 chapters to grow their businesses, increase profits and gain a competitive edge in the residential construction industry. By leveraging the collective purchasing power of a national organization, CBUSA enables its members to drive down material costs, improve service levels and protect against price increases. With builders from across the nation and 1,700 suppliers working together, CBUSA continues to build a strong community of industry leaders dedicated to collaboration, innovation and success.

Deako™, first-ever modular smart lighting system for homeowners, is fully compatible with Home Assistant starting today. This new integration solidifies Deako's commitment to an open smart home ecosystem and allows homeowners with the Deako modular system to experience enhanced home automation using Home Assistant, along with other compatible devices. This joins Deako's other integrations including Alarm.com, Alexa, Google, Samsung SmartThings, Control4 and Clare Controls.

With this, Deako is giving homeowners an additional layer of customization and personalization for their home environments while also advancing its position as an innovator in the home automation and IoT space.

"At Deako, we are dedicated to transforming how people connect with their homes," said Derek Richardson, CEO and Founder of Deako. "With Deako's new compatibility with Home Assistant, we are taking a significant step towards our goal of making customizable smart homes more accessible and easier to use for all homeowners. This new integration will be essential in further empowering homeowners and elevating their experiences by making their use of smart lighting effortlessly controllable."

This new functionality solves a key challenge for smart home enthusiasts: the need for reliable and versatile control of lighting systems. Now homeowners can easily discover and control their Deako devices through the Home Assistant interface. After updating or installing their Home Assistant hub, users can automatically detect their Deako products on their Wi-Fi network. Home Assistant enables Deako devices to have deep integration with Apple Home, Hue, Zigbee, and a multitude of other products and services.

"Deako's commitment to an open smart home aligns perfectly with the principles of the Open Home Foundation," added Richardson. "Our integration with Home Assistant reflects our dedication to providing homeowners with choices, allowing them to upgrade their lighting solutions without incurring expensive installation costs."

Deako™, the creator of the industry's first modular smart lighting system for homeowners, is announcing a new three-year exclusive agreement with Maronda Homes, enabling Deako's system to be installed upon construction of every new home. Maronda Homes creates quality homes that are affordable without sacrificing excellence and style in their designs, making Deako a perfect partner as the innovative system offers unmatched customizable, energy-efficient lighting solutions.

Under this new partnership, every Maronda Homes homeowner will receive five premium specialty switches—two Smart Switches, two Smart Dimmers and one Motion Sensor Switch—which will be automatically integrated into their new home. This gives homeowners immediate access to the patented and innovative Deako modular system with plug-and-play light switches, enhancing security, energy efficiency and customization so they can future-proof their home. Homebuyers will also have the option to upgrade to the "Model Home Experience," which includes 13 additional specialty switches. The benefits of these switches can be experienced at any Maronda model home for a firsthand interaction.

"We are beyond excited to partner with Maronda Homes, as we love their dedication to creating beautiful homes that also prioritize quality. This partnership shows that Maronda Homes is dedicated to making their buyers' lives more convenient, beautiful and safe with the integration of the Deako's modular system in every new build. We look forward to helping Maronda Homes buyers design the home of their dreams with the Deako system," said Derek Richardson, CEO & founder of Deako.

This partnership comes at a time when the demand for smart home technology is rapidly increasing. By including Deako's system, Maronda Homes is showcasing its commitment to providing homebuyers with homes that are not only stylish but also equipped with the latest technology to ensure security and convenience. Also, because of Deako's user-friendly design, making upgrades to switches and lighting solutions is hassle-free and does not require an electrician.

With this collaboration, Maronda Homes is taking a significant step forward in the competitive marketplace by offering a strong value proposition to its clients. In addition to Maronda Homes, Deako has several new builder partnerships including Affiliate Builder Group, Candlelight Homes, French Brothers and Mulberry Design.

Deako, the creator of the modular smart lighting system, today announces it ranked No. 182 on the 2024 Inc. 5000, the annual list of America's fastest-growing private companies. With an impressive three-year revenue growth of more than 2,000 percent, Deako also secured the No. 3 ranking in the Seattle market, No. 4 within the state of Washington and No. 13 in the nationwide Consumer Products category. The prestigious ranking provides a data-driven look at the most successful companies within the economy's most dynamic segment—its independent, entrepreneurial businesses. Microsoft, Meta, Chobani, Under Armour, Timberland, Oracle, Patagonia and many other household-name brands gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

"It's an honor to be recognized by Inc. and to stand alongside some of the most accomplished companies in the U.S. We built Deako on the belief that smart lighting should be effortless for homeowners, and this recognition reaffirms the work we've undertaken to support our vision," said Derek Richardson, CEO and Founder of Deako. "None of our growth and accomplishments would be possible without our hardworking and innovative team. My gratitude goes out to all our dedicated employees who made this achievement possible. As we look to the second half of the year, we're thrilled about the solutions and products we're bringing to more homes across America and the future of our company."

Deako is an award-winning company trusted by top 100 builders like D.R. Horton, Toll Brothers, Meritage Homes and more. Its modular smart lighting systems are installed in one out of six new single-family homes across the United States and provide convenient and customizable solutions for any home. In the last year, the company found its product installations led to 20 percent faster home sales which translated into considerable financial savings. By helping builders sell homes faster, Deako's smart switches provided a timely solution that improved the financial health of partners, reinforcing the value of Deako's product in a high-interest rate market. The company is consistently scaling and looks forward to continued expansion and product innovation in the coming year.

"One of the greatest joys of my job is going through the Inc. 5000 list," says Mike Hofman, who recently joined Inc. as editor-in-chief. "To see all of the intriguing and surprising ways that companies are transforming sectors, from health care and AI to apparel and pet food, is fascinating for me as a journalist and storyteller. Congratulations to this year's honorees, as well, for growing their businesses fast despite the economic disruption we all faced over the past three years, from supply chain woes to inflation to changes in the workforce."

The Inc. 5000 class of 2024 represents companies that have driven rapid revenue growth while navigating inflationary pressure, the rising costs of capital, and seemingly intractable hiring challenges. Among this year's top 500 companies, the average median three-year revenue growth rate is 1,637 percent. In all, this year's Inc. 5000 companies have added 874,458 jobs to the economy over the past three years.

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.