Digital & Tech case study: HomeLINK

A multi-award-winning high-tech software team in the West of England

The HomeLINK software team within Aico leverage cutting edge home integration technologies to create a secure platform for better maintained, healthier and energy efficient homes.

Creating smarter, safer homes

The team has industry-leading expertise in artificial intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT), software development and integration and a track record of helping landlords reduce operating costs and carbon emissions whilst improving their residents’ wellbeing and safety.

Established in 2018 and acquired by Aico in 2020, HomeLINK continues to grow in the region. They have connected nearly 100,000 IoT devices in social housing making the company the largest provider in the sector. It is these data insights and technology that ultimately leads to the creation of healthier and safer homes for residents.

Strengths of the region

"The West of England boasts a thriving and motivating start-up scene and is a great place to live. There's a fantastic support network in the region, with some of the best universities giving access to an incredible talent pool.

We started on the SETSquared IoT Boost programme which gave us great educational support and networking opportunities. We also had office space and access to equipment by being incubated in the Bristol Robotics Laboratory.

We were fortunate to have won funding from South Gloucestershire Council that enabled us to develop our technology and pilot it with local housing providers. These wins were really important to us in the early part of the company.

The support we have received from the Invest Bristol & Bath team has also given us great media coverage to help our brand grow in the region".

Chris Jones, Chief Executive Officer

Support in the region

Invest Bristol & Bath have been working with HomeLINK since they were founded providing support and expert guidance. Our support has included invitations to events including a Smart Cities IoT event in Paris and working together on IoT Conference in London in 2018 where we created a Meet Bristol & Bath area including talks and workshops.

More recently we have supported HomeLINK as they continue to scale including access to Bristol & Bath's commercial property market.