How War Refugees are Revolutionized Smart Building Controls [ControlTrends Podcast]

In this episode of ControlTrends Smart Buildings, host Eric Stromquist delves into the incredible journey of Edi and Etrit Demaj, co-founders of KODE Labs. From surviving the Kosovo War and immigrating to the United States as refugees to building a cutting-edge smart building platform, Etrit share their story of resilience, innovation, and success.

Highlights:

• From Kosovo to Detroit: Etrit recount their journey from war-torn Kosovo in 1999, enduring unimaginable hardships to arriving in the U.S., where they laid the foundation for their future.
• Building KODE Labs: The name “KODE” reflects their roots in Kosovo (KO) and their new beginning in Detroit (DE). The company embodies their mission to create meaningful technology while giving back to their communities.
• A Mission to Innovate: KODE Labs offers a cloud-based smart building platform that integrates disparate systems into a unified, scalable solution. Their approach simplifies operations, enhances efficiency, and supports sustainability goals.
• Early Success Stories: Their first clients, Bedrock and QuadReal, demonstrated the transformative potential of KODE Labs, scaling the platform across portfolios and unlocking new efficiencies.
• Data-driven Decision-making: KODE Labs uses predictive maintenance, digital twins, and advanced data visualization to empower building operators and owners.

Key takeaways:

• The Future of Smart Buildings: With an eye on scalability and cloud solutions, KODE Labs aims to redefine how buildings operate, making them more intelligent, efficient, and sustainable.
• Advice for Entrepreneurs: Failure is not an option: Learn, adapt, and keep moving forward. It’s never too late: Whether starting a business or pivoting an idea, there’s always time to pursue your vision.

Podcast:
ControlTalk Podcast for HVAC and Smart Building Professionals

Produced by:
ControlTrends

Channel:
Eric Stromquist

Date:
July 17, 2023