Runwise Raises $55M to Help Buildings Save Energy and Cut Costs

Runwise, a fast-growing private company focused on smart-building technology, has just secured $55 million in Series B funding. The round was led by Menlo Ventures, with backing from Nuveen, MassMutual Ventures, and other investors. Runwise’s system is already active in more than 10,000 buildings across the U.S., where it’s helped cut energy bills by over $100 million.

With this funding, the company plans to expand its engineering and operations teams, roll out new product features, and reach even more property owners. Runwise’s tools are designed to bring older heating and building systems into the modern era—without requiring major upgrades or construction. The goal is to make it easier and more affordable for building operators to run efficiently, meet sustainability goals, and avoid unnecessary fuel use.

Why Smart-Building Tech Is Gaining Momentum

What makes Runwise’s approach stand out is how practical it is. Commercial buildings often rely on outdated heating systems—some from the 1960s or earlier. These systems are inefficient, hard to monitor, and wasteful. Runwise uses wireless sensors to gather real-time data and feed it into software that adjusts and optimizes how heating and other equipment runs.

This is exactly the kind of upgrade many property owners need, especially as cities tighten carbon regulations and energy prices stay unpredictable. Instead of spending millions to replace systems, they can install Runwise’s solution in a day—and start saving within weeks.

Behind the scenes, Runwise is part of a much larger trend. Private companies in the sensor, energy tech, and building automation space have been seeing rapid growth. Building owners and real estate operators are actively looking for ways to reduce costs, limit emissions, and improve how their teams manage maintenance. Technologies that can deliver all three are in high demand.

Real-World Results That Matter

Runwise’s success isn’t theoretical. Their system has saved customers over $100 million in heating costs. These savings are verified, not modeled. For many buildings, especially in cities like New York or Boston, that could mean cutting fuel usage by 20% or more.

There’s also a time-saving component. Facilities teams no longer have to guess if boilers are working correctly or if a unit is overheating. With data from Runwise’s network of sensors—monitoring things like temperature, humidity, and flow—managers can address problems before they become expensive.

This kind of predictive insight reduces emergency repairs, avoids tenant complaints, and keeps buildings more comfortable year-round.

What's Next for Runwise?

With the new funding, Runwise is doubling down on three priorities:

Product development: Enhancing their platform with deeper insights, new sensor capabilities, and features that let teams monitor even more building systems in real time.

Team expansion: Hiring engineers, product managers, and support staff to help deliver faster implementations and better customer service.

Growth into new markets: The company is expected to increase its presence in cities and regions where energy costs are high and sustainability compliance is a growing concern.

The combination of rising regulations, demand for cost-cutting tools, and increased investor interest makes this a key moment for Runwise—and for others in the smart-building sector.

The Bigger Picture: A Growing Industry

Runwise is one of many private companies helping transform how buildings operate. Smart sensors and real-time monitoring are no longer seen as experimental or “nice-to-have.” They’re becoming essential infrastructure.

The global market for building automation systems is growing steadily. Energy-focused tech companies, especially those that offer measurable ROI, are seeing attention from both venture capital and enterprise customers. Private equity firms are also starting to view these companies as long-term plays with strong recurring revenue.

As more buildings seek to digitize their operations, Runwise is well-positioned to lead. Their blend of low-cost hardware, intuitive software, and fast deployment is exactly what the market is asking for.

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