Hey friends,

How can software help decarbonize existing buildings?

Last month, I spoke to the Building Ventures Innovation Network on 6 tools used today, 7 gaps (areas of innovation we desperately need), and 8 trends in the technology marketplace to do just that.

Here’s a summary of some of the trends I shared:

Trend #1: Removing Complexity

Most small buildings don’t have any digital systems, meaning fancy overlay software can’t do anything to help 87% of our building stock. Business model innovation is helping digitize small buildings, enabling tech to sit on top.

👉 Go deeper: Our free whitepaper, The Untapped 87%

Trend #2: Consolidation

Market fragmentation is a major inhibitor to buying tech. Shown above, the journey to zero carbon is fraught with task switching and many different sources of truth.

Mergers & acquisitions are needed to simplify the buyers' journey. It's happening and will continue.

👉 Go deeper: 🎧 #108: Mid-2022 M&A Roundup with J³

Trend #3: The energy spreadsheet must die

We use Excel today for most of the decarbonization process: Utility data analysis, Reporting, Project development, Project management, M&V. It’s rampant and a huge opportunity for driving change through more efficient use of human resources.

The most egregious use of Excel is in developing & managing retrofits. What we’re seeing from the marketplace is the founding and funding of software tools focused on managing the decarbonization program itself and managing all these retrofits that need to happen in the next several years.

👉 Go deeper: The Lens: The Energy Spreadsheet Must Die

There are five more trends left! Nexus Pro members can click the button below to get the full recording and slide deck.

Watch the recording

Which of these trends is the biggest gamechanger?

Let us know on LinkedIn,

—James Dice, Founder of Nexus Labs

✖ At the Nexus

Here’s everything worth sharing from Nexus HQ this week:

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★ PODCAST: 🎧 #109: Demystifying wireless technology for CRE—Episode 109 is a conversation with Greg Jones, founder and CEO of Montgomery Technologies.

We talked about all things wireless in commercial office buildings and how the network layer is vital infrastructure for enabling new technology in buildings. This episode demystifies technologies like DAS, Wifi, 5G, CBRS, etc.

Then Greg provides a decision tree for how to think about which networks apply in different situations.

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★ MEMBERS-ONLY EVENTS THIS MONTH:

• New Member Orientation: Nexus Founder, James Dice, hosts an introduction to the Nexus Labs Community and how you access and take advantage of all the resources that come with your Pro Membership. This is for new members or those who've not taken advantage of all the resources at the Nexus Community.
• Subject Matter Expert Workshop: Independent Building Automation Consultant at Lifecycle Controls, Bryce Anderson will lead the discussion on BMS trends today and tomorrow.
• Pro Member Gathering: Smart Buildings Manager and Nexus Pro member, Blake Hyde, will join us for a conversation on Cadillac Fairview's Smart Buildings Program.

​Join Nexus Pro now to get the invites and access to the recordings.

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★ JOIN ME AT THE SBX CONFERENCE: Before I sneak away for my honeymoon in August, I’ll be at SBX... Join us? We'll discuss the market opportunity for smart buildings August 22-24 at the virtual Smart Buildings Exchange hosted by the Smart Buildings Center.

This free, three-day virtual event will feature interactive panel discussions and case study presentations on the future of energy services and the built environment, grid-interactive efficient buildings, the role of smart buildings in carbon emission reductions, and more.

Register for free today.

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★ ON LINKEDIN: One of my favorite recent building owner interviews was with a 500 building REIT in Europe. The theme? Independent Data Layer.

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★ READ OF THE WEEK: Energy-hungry data centers are quietly moving into cities

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★ JOBS: Are you hiring? Searching for a job in smart buildings?—We've relaunched the Nexus Labs Jobs Board and we've made job postings free.

It's got great jobs from: Synchronoss, Honeywell, Aquicore, Vanti, McKinstry, GridPoint, Gridium, Buro Happold, WSP, Switch Automation, and ThoughtWire

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★ JOBS: Are you hiring? Searching for a job in smart buildings?—We've relaunched the Nexus Labs Jobs Board and we've made job postings free.

It's got great jobs from Synchronoss, Honeywell, Aquicore, Vanti, McKinstry, GridPoint, Gridium, Buro Happold, WSP, Switch Automation, and ThoughtWire

👋 That's all for this week. See you next Tuesday!

Whenever you're ready, there are 3 ways Nexus Labs can help you:

1. Take our shortcut to learning the Smart Buildings industry here (300 students and counting)

2. Join our community of smart buildings nerds and gamechangers here (400 members and counting)

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