Bandora, a Portuguese startup developing AI-powered energy optimization technology for commercial buildings, has entered the U.S. market with a pilot project in New Jersey, as reported by Forbes Portugal.
The project began in December 2024 and involved Dave’s Hot Chicken and Dunkin’ Donuts. It took place in two high-traffic units managed by Lufrankton LLC, a franchise group that owns more than 57 stores on the U.S. East Coast.
During the initial phase, the pilot demonstrated measurable impact: energy consumption at the locations dropped by 30% and 50% in the first month, with an average reduction of 50% sustained from the second month onward.
Bandora’s system functions as a virtual facility manager, using real-time operational data and artificial intelligence to control and optimize a building’s energy systems. The technology is BMS- and IoT-agnostic, designed to integrate seamlessly with existing building infrastructure.
According to Bandora’s founder and CEO, Márcia Pereira, the U.S. pilot provided valuable validation of the technology. “Working with these chains has given us the opportunity to prove the effectiveness of our technology in demanding environments, with a large volume of customers and in multiple locations,” she was quoted as saying.
Following the pilot, Bandora has begun discussions to expand into other states, including Massachusetts and Florida, and is also exploring applications in sectors such as retail.
The company’s international presence already includes Spain, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates, with upcoming launches in the Dominican Republic and Colombia.
The U.S. entry was accompanied by a €100,000 strategic investment from HearstLab, the venture capital arm of Hearst. A formal investment round is scheduled for late 2025 to support the next phase of expansion.
Energy efficiency in commercial buildings remains a crucial issue: according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), buildings account for nearly 30% of global final energy consumption and over 25% of energy-related CO₂ emissions. In the U.S. alone, commercial buildings account for nearly 20% of the country’s energy consumption and 12% of its greenhouse gas emissions, as reported by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Featured image: Bandora’s founder and CEO, Márcia Pereira (Photo source: Márcia Pereira/LinkedIn)
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