London-based Rithum has raised £250,000 in seed funding to develop a revised version of its smart home control device.
Rithum currently makes a smart home control panel that slots into the place of a light switch to control a building’s lights, audio and heating.
Speaking to UKTN, Ryan Ovens, founder and CEO, Rithum said: “Rithum switch gives control without a smartphone, for the whole family and guests without having to have training or download an app.
“Also, by combining multiple devices and sensors into one, we are reducing the number of third-party products required alongside a control point.”
Founded in 2020, the company plans on adding software engineering staff to the team.
Ovens added that the startup plans to add further capabilities to its smart switch and introduce other hardware that may not work in a light switch position.
Previously known as VIOLET, the company’s seed funding was led by venture capital firm Jenson Funding Partners, with support from the Capital Pilot Boost Fund and a Crowdcube campaign, which raised £87,000.
According to Rithum, it has already sold more than 1,600 of its smart switches.
“It’s rare that you see premium smart technology like Rithum’s that is actually accessible, and that can be adapted so easily to the user’s needs,” said Sarah Barber, CEO of Jenson Funding Partners.
