Smart Buildings Center
Smart Buildings Center is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that accelerates commercial-building energy efficiency in Washington and Oregon through a free Tool Lending Library, Building Operator Certification training, webinars, an annual SBX conference, and state-funded compliance helpdesks.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersSeattle, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Smart Buildings Center does
Smart Buildings Center (SBC) is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates as an education and demonstration hub to accelerate adoption of energy-efficient and smart-building practices in commercial and institutional buildings across Washington State and Oregon. The organization is a project collaboration with its parent, Building Potential (formerly Northwest Energy Efficiency Council), and is staffed by 1-10 employees led by Executive Director Kerry Meade and Chief Program Officer Melanie Danuser. SBC serves building operators, facility managers, property managers, and building owners through a portfolio of services that includes a free Tool Lending Library (data loggers, power meters, lighting loggers, infrared cameras, flow meters, acoustic imagers), the national Building Operator Certification (BOC) program, the Remote Learning Library of webinars (technical sessions priced at $59), the annual Smart Buildings Exchange (SBX) conference, a Clean Buildings Performance Standard Helpdesk funded by the Washington State Department of Commerce and partner utilities, a Seattle Energy Benchmarking Helpdesk, and the BEACON Fellowship workforce program funded by a $10 million U.S. Department of Energy grant. SBC monetizes primarily through a tiered partnership program (Strategic Partner $10,000/year, Industry Partner $5,000/year, Small Business Partner $1,500/year, WMBE partners at no cost), event sponsorships and registrations, paid training and webinars, and tax-deductible donations to the Smart Buildings Center Education Program. The organization operates a 5,000-square-foot Innovation Center in Seattle's Pacific Tower that serves as training/event space, demonstration venue, and convener for a regional ecosystem that includes Seattle City Light, Puget Sound Energy, Energy Trust of Oregon, McKinstry, MacDonald-Miller, and IFMA Seattle.
Smart Buildings Center firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Smart Buildings Center
- Legal name
- Smart Buildings Center
- Website
- https://smartbuildingscenter.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Smart Buildings Center is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that accelerates commercial-building energy efficiency in Washington and Oregon through a free Tool Lending Library, Building Operator Certification training, webinars, an annual SBX conference, and state-funded compliance helpdesks.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Smart Buildings Center industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Building Energy Efficiency Education and Workforce Development
- SIC
- Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Green Building & Energy-Efficient Construction (LEED, Weatherization) (EDAOAAAO)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Occupancy, Space Utilization & Workplace Experience (HSAPAPAG)
Keywords
Where Smart Buildings Center is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seattle
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Smart Buildings Center business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Partnership/Membership Program: The Smart Buildings Center generates revenue through a tiered partnership program with three levels: Strategic Partner ($10,000 annually), Industry Partner ($5,000 annually), and Small Business Partner ($1,500 annually for 1-100 employee companies). WMBE partners can join at no cost. Partners receive logo placement, recognition, demonstration opportunities, and SBC marketing benefits.
- Event Sponsorships and Registration: The center hosts the annual Smart Buildings Exchange (SBX) conference and other events that generate revenue through sponsorships and attendee registration fees.
- Donations: The Smart Buildings Center Education Program (SBCEP) is a 501(c)(3) organization that accepts tax-deductible donations to fund its education mission and programs.
- Training and Certification Programs: Revenue is generated through the Building Operator Certification (BOC) program, Qualified Energy Manager training, and remote learning events. Some webinars are priced at $59 per session. PSE commercial customers receive discounted rates for BOC events.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Strategic Partner - $10,000/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Industry Partner - $5,000/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Small Business Partner - $1,500/year |
| Subscription | Annual | WMBE Partner - $0 |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Remote Learning/Webinars - $59/session |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Smart Buildings Center product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Smart Buildings Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that accelerates adoption of smart buildings technologies and energy efficiency practices through education and demonstration. It provides a free Tool Lending Library of energy diagnostic instruments to commercial building operators in Washington and Oregon, the Building Operator Certification (BOC) national credentialing program, the annual Smart Buildings Exchange (SBX) conference, remote learning webinars, and Clean Buildings Performance Standard compliance helpdesks, all delivered through a 5,000 sq ft Innovation Center in Seattle's Pacific Tower.
Product overview
The Smart Buildings Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that operates as an education and demonstration hub for smart buildings technologies and practices. The organization provides a portfolio of interconnected services: a Tool Lending Library offering free diagnostic equipment loans for energy monitoring; the Innovation Center facility for hosting trainings and events; the Building Operator Certification (BOC) program delivering industry credentials; Remote Learning resources including webinars and on-demand content; Technical Webinars for ongoing professional development; the annual SBX Conference as its flagship industry event; Clean Buildings Performance Standard and Energy Benchmarking Helpdesks for compliance support; BEACON Fellowship for workforce development; K-12 Indoor Air Quality resources; and space reservations for community use. The organization is primarily a service and education provider rather than a software product company.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Tool Lending Library
Quantifiable outcome
- 47% yearly energy savings achieved at Sunfresh food processing facility using Tool Lending Library
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Smart Buildings Center
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Smart Buildings Center technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Smart Buildings Center partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Energy Trust of OregoncoreNonprofit offering education, technical assistance, and cash incentives to help individuals, businesses, and institutions use less energy. Provides support for SBC's Tool Lending Library serving Oregon.
- Seattle City LightcoreOne of the nation's largest publicly owned utilities providing carbon-neutral hydropower. Supports SBC programs and benchmarking helpdesk services.
- Puget Sound EnergycoreUtility offering energy management programs and Clean Buildings Accelerator support. Sponsors Remote Learning Calendar and Library.
- Washington State Department of CommercecoreState agency administering the Clean Buildings Performance Standard and providing funding and support for SBC programs including Clean Buildings Helpdesk and BEACON project.
- IFMA Seattle ChapterminorInternational Facility Management Association local chapter supporting facility management professionals.
- MacDonald-Miller Facility SolutionscoreFull-service building partner providing HVAC service, maintenance, and Smart Building Service solutions.
- McKinstrycoreDesign, construction, and operations firm committed to addressing climate, affordability, and equity crises through sustainable built environment solutions.
- O'Brien360minorNationally recognized leader in sustainable building providing consulting, certification, building performance, and commissioning services.
- Saving Water PartnershipminorConsortium of 19 water utilities in King and Snohomish counties offering tips, tools, and rebates for water conservation.
- LONG Building TechnologiesminorRegional systems integrator since 1965 providing HVAC equipment, building automation, HVAC service, and security solutions.
- Cascade Natural GasminorNatural gas utility providing commercial and industrial energy efficiency programs and rebates.
- Custom EnergyminorWoman-owned energy solutions company specializing in Clean Buildings Act compliance and benchmarking services.
- SBW ConsultingminorResource efficiency consulting firm helping utilities, governments, and building owners reach energy goals.
- Building PotentialcoreFormerly Northwest Energy Efficiency Council (NEEC), a nonprofit business association representing businesses working to decarbonize building energy use. Parent organization of Smart Buildings Center.
- Strategic Energy Innovations (SEI)corePartner in BEACON Fellowship project, serving as employer of record for fellows and providing mentorship and project-scoping support.
- San Timoteo Energy AssociatescorePartner in BEACON Fellowship project providing training and support for CBPS compliance.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Smart Buildings Center competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- International Facility Management Association (IFMA): Global professional association for facility managers offering CFM, FMP, and educational programs—an SBC partner and broader competitor in facility/building professional development at national scale.
- BOMA International (Building Owners and Managers Association): National trade association for commercial real estate professionals offering RPA, CMA designations and educational content—an adjacent industry body serving SBC's commercial building owner/manager persona at national scale.
- Association of Energy Engineers (AEE): Global professional society offering energy management certifications (CEM) and trainings—competes with SBC's BOC and QEM programs in the building operator certification space at national/global scale.
- NYSERDA: New York State energy office funding energy efficiency programs, training, and benchmarking support—analogous to the role the Washington Department of Commerce plays for SBC, but at significantly larger scale and budget.
Regional players
- Energy Trust of Oregon: Oregon-based nonprofit offering energy efficiency incentives, technical assistance, and education—SBC's direct partner that co-funds the Tool Lending Library for Oregon and pursues a closely related mission across the adjacent state.
- Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP): Regional nonprofit that accelerates energy efficiency in the Northeast through stakeholder engagement, training, and resources—directly analogous to Building Potential/SBC's mission in a different U.S. geography.
- Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP): Regional energy efficiency policy and program organization serving Southwestern U.S. states—another structurally similar alliance focused on utility program design and stakeholder engagement for building efficiency.
- Northwest Energy Coalition: Regional alliance advocating for clean, affordable energy across the Pacific Northwest—another structurally similar nonprofit advancing building decarbonization in SBC's core geography.
- Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA): Regional energy efficiency membership organization serving Midwestern states—structurally analogous to Building Potential/SBC, with similar convening, education, and policy advocacy roles for utility programs.
Others
- Building Potential (formerly Northwest Energy Efficiency Council): SBC's parent nonprofit business association representing businesses working to decarbonize building energy use—the closest organizational analog to SBC and the umbrella under which SBC operates.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Smart Buildings Center social profiles
Digital presenceSmart Buildings Center financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Smart Buildings Center leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Smart Buildings Center funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Smart Buildings Center M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Smart Buildings Center
What does Smart Buildings Center do?
Smart Buildings Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that accelerates adoption of smart buildings technologies and energy efficiency practices through education and demonstration. It provides a free Tool Lending Library of energy diagnostic instruments to commercial building operators in Washington and Oregon, the Building Operator Certification (BOC) national credentialing program, the annual Smart Buildings Exchange (SBX) conference, remote learning webinars, and Clean Buildings Performance Standard compliance helpdesks, all delivered through a 5,000 sq ft Innovation Center in Seattle's Pacific Tower.
Is Smart Buildings Center a public or private company?
Smart Buildings Center is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Smart Buildings Center founded?
Smart Buildings Center was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Smart Buildings Center based?
Smart Buildings Center is headquartered in Seattle, United States, in the North America region.
How does Smart Buildings Center make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Partnership/Membership Program is the primary driver. The others are event Sponsorships and Registration, donations and training and Certification Programs.
Who are Smart Buildings Center's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are International Facility Management Association (IFMA), BOMA International (Building Owners and Managers Association), Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) and NYSERDA. Regional players are Energy Trust of Oregon, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP), Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP), Northwest Energy Coalition and Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA). Building Potential (formerly Northwest Energy Efficiency Council) is listed as an others.
Does Smart Buildings Center have an API?
No public API is recorded for Smart Buildings Center.
What industry is Smart Buildings Center in?
Smart Buildings Center's product category is Building Energy Efficiency Education and Workforce Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAOAAAO, Green Building & Energy-Efficient Construction (LEED, Weatherization), with a secondary code of HSAPAPAG, Occupancy, Space Utilization & Workplace Experience. Its SIC code is 7340.