27 January 2022
We have advised the founders of Telensa Holdings Ltd., a UK-based expert in wireless monitoring and control systems for smart cities that was originally spun-out from Plextek Limited, on its acquisition by Signify, a world leader in connected LED lighting systems, software, and services.
Founded in 2005, Telensa is headquartered in Cambridge and employs 58 people. To date it has sold approximately 100 networks, connecting over 2 million light points in more than 400 cities worldwide. It has a global reach with recent projects in the US, Hong Kong, UAE, Australia and New Zealand.
Through this acquisition, Signify has added a narrow-band and TALQ-compliant solution to its feature-rich, open and secured systems. This is intended to enable the company to service a wider range of customers by making smart city infrastructure affordable to cities using the unlicensed radio space.
Together, Signify and Telensa will aim to service towns and cities around the world which want the benefits of connected lighting in a cost-efficient way by making then part of a smart city central management system.
Commenting on the deal, corporate partner Ross McNaughton said "Telensa is a fascinating business building data-driven cities on smart street infrastructure. Congratulations to the founders and all involved behind the company in making it the success story it is to date, and we wish the company and Signify all the best following this new combination."
Co-founder of Telensa, Tim Jackson, said "This is an extremely important moment for our business as it moves into its next chapter with Signify. We are enormously grateful to Ross and the Taylor Wessing team who have added significant value by providing outstanding and innovative commercial advice throughout the transaction."
The team was led by corporate partner, Ross McNaughton, with support from partner Anna Humphrey and associate Oli Denne.