Daintree Networks moves into wireless lighting control solutions for commercial buildings

(11/02/2010)

Daintree Networks, Inc. announced today that lighting and communications industry veteran Danny Yu has joined the company as its CEO. This announcement comes in conjunction with Daintree’s strategic market shift into delivering industry-leading wireless lighting control solutions for commercial buildings.

Since early 2009, the company completely shifted its product and market development on lighting control solutions for broad commercial deployment. According to OnWorld the wireless lighting market including controls has a market potential of $32.8B and is expected to grow from $90M in 2009 to $706M by 2013.

“This is an exciting to time to join Daintree ” said Yu. “Energy costs are increasing every year, and commercial building operators are looking at ways they can save money. Lighting can account for up to 40% of a building’s energy spend, so it’s an obvious place to look for savings. Lighting control provides those savings, and wireless lighting control adds even more benefits including reduced installation costs and increased flexibility and functionality.”

“With its proven deep wireless systems expertise, differentiated lighting architecture and solution, as well as rapidly growing OEM partnerships, Daintree has the foundation to enable and lead the burgeoning wireless lighting controls segment.”

Yu brings 20 years of leadership and growth company experience in lighting, communications, and enterprise infrastructure. Immediately prior to Daintree, Yu was Vice President of Segment and Strategic Marketing at Philips Lumileds where he led global marketing, business development, and product definition for high-growth solid state lighting segments. He originally joined Lumileds prior to its acquisition by Philips as Vice President of Global Major Account Sales and Business Development.

During his tenure at Lumileds, Yu led multiple lighting businesses from start-up to $70–$100M in revenues and market-leading positions. Yu has also held senior positions in communications and enterprise infrastructure industries. These include serving as Managing Director at VantagePoint Venture Partners, a Partner at DynaFund Ventures, and managing strategic account sales of wireless and high-speed networking products at Hewlett Packard.

“We’re all extremely pleased that Danny has joined our talented and growing team,” said Bill Wood, Founder and Daintree Networks Chairman. “Danny’s knowledge of, and experience in, the lighting industry, in addition to being based out of Daintree’s Silicon Valley headquarters, enables Daintree to launch the next phase of its growth as a wireless networking innovator.”

“With his combined experience in the lighting and communications industries and leadership roles at both large and small growth technology companies, Danny is the perfect CEO for Daintree,” said Teresa Engelhard, Managing Partner at Jolimont Capital and Daintree Networks Board Member. “Jolimont is thrilled with his decision to join the company.”

Related categories:  Company changes   Lighting system