Helvar

What Helvar does

Helvar is a privately held Finnish intelligent lighting control company headquartered in Espoo, Finland, founded in 1921 and operating with 251-500 employees. The company designs, manufactures, and supports DALI-2 compliant wired lighting control systems (Helvar Imagine), wireless self-learning lighting control (Helvar ActiveAhead), and hybrid solutions that bridge the two. Its underlying technology stack centers on the DALI/DALI-2 open protocol combined with proprietary application controllers (905, 910, 920, 945, 950), Bluetooth mesh wireless nodes, and a portfolio of PIR and multisensors. These platforms connect to Helvar Insights, a cloud-based digital services platform for remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, and space utilization analytics, and are complemented by Helvar Senses (environmental sensing) and HelvarCare (maintenance services).

Helvar monetizes through three revenue streams: hardware sales of controllers, sensors, panels, and accessories; recurring software revenue from the Helvar Insights cloud platform and digital design tools (SceneTouch, Illustris, 16x Panel Design Tool); and professional services including commissioning, training, and HelvarCare maintenance contracts. The company serves 10+ vertical markets — commercial offices, education, healthcare, hospitality, retail, industrial, culture, transport, marine, and public buildings — with a notable enterprise anchor base spanning cruise lines (Royal Caribbean), banking (SEB), real estate (Skanska, Generali Properties), legal (NautaDutilh), luxury (Burberry), manufacturing (Sonepar), and government (Maharashtra Government). Its go-to-market combines 80+ certified installation and integration partners globally with direct regional offices in the UK, Finland, Sweden, Poland, Germany/Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, and Benelux.

Helvar holds DNV Type Approval for marine applications, was among the first to certify DALI-2 products, and positions its portfolio around LEED, BREEAM, WELL, and EPBD 2026 building standards compliance. It has completed more than 300,000 lighting control projects across EMEA and select APAC, Middle East, LATAM, and African markets. Recent strategic activity centers on DALI-2 product line refresh (945/950 controllers, 321D2/3440D2 multisensors in late 2025 and early 2026) and entry into the Indian government infrastructure market via a March 2026 MoU with the Maharashtra Government.

Name

Helvar

Legal name

Helvar

Website

https://helvar.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1921

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Helvar is a Finnish intelligent lighting control company founded in 1921 that designs DALI-2 wired and wireless lighting control systems, cloud analytics, and environmental sensing solutions for commercial, institutional, marine, and public sector buildings globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Intelligent Lighting Control Systems

NAICS

Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (3351), Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (33513)

SIC

Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620)

akta.pro primary industry

Lighting Controls & Building Integration (Drivers, sensors, dimming, lighting control panels, networked lighting) (IMAGAIAI)

Keywords

• Intelligent lighting control
• DALI-2 lighting systems
• Wireless lighting control
• Smart building lighting
• Lighting control hardware

Headquarters

HQ city

Espoo

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Lighting Control Hardware: Sale of proprietary lighting control products including application controllers/routers, sensors (PIR, multisensors), control panels, relay units, dimmers, gateways, wireless nodes, and accessories. Products are sold through certified partners and direct regional offices.
2. Software and Digital Services: Subscription-based access to the Helvar Insights cloud platform for remote monitoring, analytics, and data-driven insights. Includes software tools for system design (SceneTouch, Illustris) and commissioning.
3. Professional Services: Training programs (Designer Software, Lunch and Learn CPD certificates), commissioning services, and HelvarCare maintenance contracts. System integrators and partners provide installation and programming services.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Helvar designs, manufactures and sells intelligent lighting control hardware (DALI-2 application controllers, wireless nodes, multisensors, relay units, control panels and gateways) and provides the related cloud-based Helvar Insights digital services platform for monitoring and analytics. The company also offers HelvarCare maintenance services and design/commissioning tools, distributing through a certified partner network and direct regional offices to commercial, institutional, marine and public-sector building projects worldwide.

Product overview

Helvar is an intelligent lighting control company specializing in solutions for smart buildings across commercial, institutional, and industrial applications. The product portfolio is organized around three core lighting control platforms: Helvar Imagine (DALI-2 wired lighting control with robust scalability and integration capabilities), Helvar ActiveAhead (wireless, self-learning lighting control using mesh networking), and Helvar Hybrid (combining both approaches). Supporting these platforms are digital services (Helvar Insights cloud platform for monitoring and analytics), environmental sensing (Helvar Senses), and maintenance services (HelvarCare). The hardware portfolio includes a comprehensive range of application controllers (905, 910, 920, 945, 950), sensors (PIR detectors, multisensors including DALI-2 certified variants), and integration devices like Node Link. The company serves diverse verticals including offices, education, healthcare, hospitality, retail, industrial, culture, transport, marine, and public buildings, with a network of 80+ partners globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Helvar Imagine: DALI-2 lighting control solution providing scalable and flexible digital backbone for lighting management.
• Helvar ActiveAhead
• Helvar Insights
• Helvar Senses
• HelvarCare

Products and services

• Helvar Imagine DALI-2 wired lighting control platform providing a scalable and flexible digital backbone for managing lighting zones across commercial and institutional buildings.
• Helvar ActiveAhead Wireless, self-learning lighting control system that continuously optimizes light based on space usage through mesh networking and integrated sensors.
• Helvar Insights Cloud-based digital services platform providing real-time monitoring, remote diagnostics, heat maps for space utilization, and actionable data for building optimization.
• Helvar Senses Environmental sensing solution that monitors indoor air quality, CO2 levels, temperature, and humidity to create healthier indoor spaces and support data-driven facility decisions.
• HelvarCare Maintenance services offering for ongoing support, servicing, and optimization of installed Helvar lighting control systems.
• Helvar Hybrid Hybrid lighting control solution combining wireless and traditional wired control systems for unified management via mobile app and fixed control panels.
• 920 Application Controller Application controller with inbuilt DMX IN/OUT and two networks for control of Helvar DIGIDIM devices and DALI-2 lighting control gear, featuring DALI Emergency Support and connectivity to Helvar Insights.
• 910 Application Controller Application controller with two networks for control of Helvar DIGIDIM devices and DALI-2 lighting control gear, with DALI Emergency support and Helvar Insights connectivity.
• 945 DALI-2 Multi-master Application Controller Versatile DALI-2 multi-master application controller with two DALI-2 networks that unlocks scalability for projects of any size, connecting with DALI-2 control devices, third-party DALI-2 devices, and DIGIDIM control and load devices.
• 950 DALI-2 Multi-master Router Flagship application controller with four DALI-2 networks enabling unmatched scalability, integrating with BMS systems and open protocols.
• 905 Application Controller Application controller with a single network for control of Helvar DIGIDIM devices and DALI-2 lighting control gear.
• 3440D2 Wide Range Multisensor (DALI-2) DALI-2 certified wide range multisensor combining PIR presence detection and constant light control for large, open areas requiring extended coverage up to 452 m².
• 321D2 Multisensor (DALI-2) DALI-2 certified compact multisensor providing energy-saving functions in a DALI system with excellent detection performance and programmable constant light control.
• Node Link Bridge device that seamlessly connects wireless ActiveAhead luminaires to traditional wired control systems, enabling unified management through both mobile app and fixed control panels.

Quantifiable outcome

• Energy savings achieved within first months of installation for Q-Park Sheffield parking facility through DALI broadcast control and PIR/daylight sensor integration
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments11 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature7 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core, regional and project.

• Maharashtra Government / Maharashtra Fisheries Development CorporationstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 March 2026MoU signed March 7, 2026 for Sassoon Dock modernization project in Mumbai. Part of a consortium with Mirasis and River Recycle (Finnish firms) focusing on waste management, recycling plastic waste and fishing nets, and net repair systems for environmental sustainability.
• Elettroservice srlcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLong-standing Italian partner responsible for lighting management and control system installation at Salone del Futuro, Milan Chamber of Commerce (Palazzo Turati). Provided comprehensive solution using Helvar components with DALI DT8 protocol for tunable white control.
• AudicocoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFinland's leading AV and Lighting Control Integrator that delivered the Allure of the Seas lighting control system, enabling full synthesis with ship's AV and entertainment systems. Supplied over 5700 electronic ballasts.
• KlarlightregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCertified regional partner for Switzerland operating from Murten. Provides project and services support for Helvar products in the Swiss market. Contact: Wilfrid Belkhiria, Head of Project & Services.
• SkanskastrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilding owner and developer of Sthlm01 Stockholm, a 27-storey LEED Platinum certified tower. Partnership for common area lighting controls using Helvar Imagine, ActiveAhead, and Insights platform to achieve sustainability certification.
• Turku Energia Verkostotekniikka / Turku Laatusähkö OyprojectImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFacade and interior lighting contractors for Piispantorni (Big Blue) project in Turku, Finland. Turku Energia's design manager Antti Viertamo designed lighting in collaboration with visual artist Mauri Kosonen.
• Loisto Pro OyprojectImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerResponsible for programming the Helvar Imagine router system at Piispantorni (Big Blue) project.
• NorlightprojectStrategic or Co-development PartnerLuminaires partner for Generali Blend Building, Milan. Collaboration between Helvar (lighting control) and Norlight (luminaires) delivering the poetic barcode lighting concept.
• EnstoprojectStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvider of DPML SmartWay modular luminaires with integrated ActiveAhead control for Sonepar logistics centre office. Combined Helvar wireless control with Ensto anti-glare optics for 550 lx illuminance.
• AFRYprojectImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerElectrical consultant for Sthlm01 Stockholm project, specifying Helvar Imagine for common area lighting controls.
• OhmegiprojectImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerElectrical installer for Sthlm01 Stockholm project, implementing Helvar lighting control solutions.
• Hilson MoranprojectImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerM&E Designer for PZ Cussons Manchester HQ renovation, specifying updated Helvar Imagine system with 910 application controllers.
• Light FormsprojectStrategic or Co-development PartnerLighting designer and manufacturer for PZ Cussons Manchester HQ, collaborating on sustainable and wellbeing-focused lighting specification.
• Flexible Business Interiors LtdprojectImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContractor for PZ Cussons Manchester HQ renovation, implementing Helvar lighting control system.
• IncognitoprojectImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitect for PZ Cussons Manchester HQ refurbishment, designing flexible workspace with integrated Helvar lighting.
• in4mprojectImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProject Manager for PZ Cussons Manchester HQ, overseeing Helvar system installation and office renovation.
• Boss DesignprojectStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkspace pod manufacturer integrating Helvar's Select the Weather (StW) circadian lighting control into their London Design Week 2016 product launch. Sold globally including New Zealand.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Schneider Electric:
• Legrand: Legrand is a global specialist in electrical and digital building infrastructure, offering lighting controls through its Wattstopper, Vantage, and Legrand Lighting brands. It competes with Helvar in commercial DALI-based controls and benefits from broader electrical distribution scale.
• Signify (Philips Lighting): Signify is the world's largest lighting company (formerly Philips Lighting), offering Philips-branded connected lighting systems including DALI-2 controls, sensors, and the Interact IoT platform. It is Helvar's broadest incumbent competitor, with a much larger global footprint and bundled fixture-plus-controls offering.

Direct peers

• Lutron Electronics: Lutron is a US-headquartered specialist in lighting controls and motorized shades (e.g., Quantum, Vive, Athena systems). Like Helvar, Lutron focuses primarily on lighting control rather than fixtures, and competes directly with Imagine and ActiveAhead in premium commercial and architectural specifications.

Market position

Strengths3 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/helvar
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/HelvarVideo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/helvar
• Facebookfacebook.com/HelvarLightingSolutions

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Helvar