Vigilent, a US-based developer of energy management systems for data centres formerly known as Federspiel Controls, has raised an undisclosed amount from Telus Ventures, the corporate venturing unit of the eponymous Canada-based phone operator.
The investment by Telus follows the successful deployment of the Vigilent system, which can cut cooling energy consumption in such buildings by up to half, in three of its data centres and several telecommunications buildings over the past year. Four more data centre conversions are in progress.
Mathew George, vice-president of Telus Ventures, said: “We look for investment opportunities with companies that have both a strong earning potential and are focused on an area of interest for TELUS – and this one definitely fits the bill. Not only does Vigilent align with our next-generation cloud computing strategy, it also supports our commitment to being a leading corporate citizen and our climate change strategy.”
In October, Japan-based phone operator NTT’s Facilities division made a similar strategic investment after its partnership between the companies in Japan and other parts of Asia was formed a year earlier.
These strategic investments followed a $6.7m round that closed in March last year from venture capital firm Accel Partners and angel investors Gaurav Garg and Peter Wagner.