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Sensity Systems develops a foundational Internet of Things platform that leverages energy-efficient LED lighting for smart city applications. The company integrates networking technology directly into new and retrofit LED luminaires, creating a high-speed, sensor-based Light Sensory Network. This NetSense™ platform supports a range of functionalities, transforming urban infrastructure into a connected data collection and distribution system.
The company was co-founded in 2010 by Hugh Martin, who also served as chairman and CEO. The central insight behind Sensity Systems was to capitalize on the widespread global conversion to LED lighting in cities. Martin and his team recognized the opportunity to embed advanced sensing and communication capabilities within this ubiquitous infrastructure to enable broader smart city initiatives.
Sensity Systems serves various light owners, including municipalities and commercial entities seeking to modernize their infrastructure. Its products allow these customers to not only reduce energy consumption but also deploy an array of smart city services. The company envisions a future where urban lighting acts as an intelligent backbone, facilitating public safety, environmental monitoring, and efficient resource management through pervasive connectivity.
Sensity Systems has raised $31.0M across 1 funding round.
Sensity Systems has raised $31.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Sensity Systems has raised $31.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $31.0M Series B in October 2013.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2013 | $31M Series B | — | Almaz Capital, Foundry Group, Keyhorse Capital, LETA Capital | Announced |
Sensity Systems was a technology company that developed an IoT platform for smart cities by embedding sensors and networking into energy-efficient LED lighting fixtures to create a Light Sensory Network (LSN).[1][2][3][6] It served lighting owners, municipalities, and urban infrastructure managers, solving problems like high energy costs, inefficient public safety, parking management, environmental monitoring, and location analytics through real-time data collection and multiservice applications via its open, privacy-by-design NetSense platform.[1][2][3] Founded in 2010, the company raised $46M before being acquired by Verizon in 2016, after which its technology integrated into Verizon's Smart Communities solutions, driving growth in global smart city deployments.[1][2]
Sensity Systems, originally named Xeralux, was founded in 2010 in Sunnyvale, California, which served as its headquarters for R&D, engineering, and operations.[1][2] Key leaders included CEO Hugh Martin, Rao Arimilli, and Rusty Cumpston, who guided its pivot from LED lighting to IoT-enabled smart city tech.[3] The idea emerged during the global shift to LED streetlights, allowing Sensity to embed sensors directly into luminaires for a distributed sensory network; early traction came with the 2015 launch of the NetSense platform and a strategic Series C investment from Cisco to accelerate IoT development for smart cities.[2]
Sensity rode the early 2010s smart cities wave, capitalizing on LED adoption and IoT growth to turn passive infrastructure into active data platforms amid rising urban demands for efficiency and sustainability.[1][2] Timing was ideal as cities sought non-intrusive sensor networks for challenges like traffic, safety, and energy management, with market forces like falling sensor costs and 5G precursors favoring distributed edge computing.[2] Post-acquisition, it influenced Verizon's global ecosystem, enabling deployments in North America, Europe, and beyond, and paving the way for mature innovations in smart lighting within broader AI-driven urban tech.[1][2]
Integrated into Verizon since 2016, Sensity's LSN tech continues powering evolving smart communities, with next steps likely involving AI enhancements for predictive analytics in parking, safety, and environmental apps amid 5G and edge AI trends.[2] As urban IoT matures, its influence could expand through Verizon's partnerships, shaping sustainable cities while addressing data privacy in dense networks—echoing its founding vision of LED infrastructure as the smart city foundation.[1][2]
Sensity Systems has raised $31.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Sensity Systems's investors include Almaz Capital, Foundry Group, Keyhorse Capital, Leta Capital.