SONA
SONA is a UK specialist manufacturer of bespoke automated smart blinds for residential and commercial use, focused on architecturally complex windows (apex, gable-end, skylights) via proprietary honeycomb cellular fabric and Somfy-powered motorisation, sold direct-to-consumer and through trade specifier channels.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersPreston, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What SONA does
SONA (Sona Shades Ltd) is a UK-based specialist manufacturer of bespoke automated smart blinds, founded in 2020 and headquartered in Preston, Lancashire, with a secondary operations office in Reading. The company designs and hand-crafts three core product lines — SonaApex (patented system for triangular, apex, and gable-end windows), SonaSky (skylight and roof lantern blinds), and SonaCell (freehanging, bi-fold, and bedroom blackout cellular blinds) — all built on a proprietary honeycomb cellular fabric platform and powered by Somfy motors tested to 40,000+ revolutions with a stated 10+ year motor lifespan. Additional proprietary features include MagnoPort magnetic charging and bespoke RAL powder coating on German-extruded aluminium hardware.
The company sells through a dual-channel model: direct-to-consumer e-commerce via sonashades.com (with dedicated regional websites for UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and Canada), and a structured Trade Application Programme targeting architects, interior designers, AV installers, and blinds trade specifiers with exclusive discounts and premium support. All products are made-to-order with quote-based pricing (no public price list), and UK customers can purchase measure-and-fit installation services or be connected to trusted local fitters. Lead times are 7–14 days for standard blinds and 3–4 weeks for shaped products.
Sona targets two primary customer segments: trade professionals specifying blinds for architectural projects, and high-end residential consumers with architecturally complex glazing. Secondary segments include property developers and rental/hospitality operators. The company's smart blind ecosystem integrates natively with Control4, Lutron, KNX, Crestron, Rako, Loxone, Savant, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home, and the company holds Somfy Expert installer certification and CEDIA membership. SONA Shades Ltd is privately held with no disclosed external funding.
SONA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SONA
- Legal name
- SONA SHADES LTD
- Website
- https://sonashades.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- SONA is a UK specialist manufacturer of bespoke automated smart blinds for residential and commercial use, focused on architecturally complex windows (apex, gable-end, skylights) via proprietary honeycomb cellular fabric and Somfy-powered motorisation, sold direct-to-consumer and through trade specifier channels.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SONA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Motorised Window Blinds
- NAICS
- Blind and Shade Manufacturing (337920), Blind and Shade Manufacturing (33792), Window Treatment Retailers (449122)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Window Treatments & Shading Systems (Blinds, Shades, Awnings) (IMADAIAN)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Motorized Shades, Blinds & Curtain Automation (HSAHADAD), Smart Window Shades & Motorized Treatments Retail (CRAIAMAL), Custom Window Blinds Retail (Wood, Faux Wood, Aluminum, Vertical) (CRAIAKAA), Curtain, Blind & Shade Installation/Repair (HSAGAAAG)
Keywords
Where SONA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Preston
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
SONA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Bespoke Automated Blind Manufacturing & Sales: Sona designs and manufactures bespoke automated smart blinds in three product lines — SonaApex (shaped/apex/gable-end), SonaSky (skylight/lantern/rooflight), and SonaCell (freehanging/bi-fold/bedroom blackout) — sold directly to trade professionals and residential consumers. All blinds are hand-made to order in their UK factory. Revenue is generated through one-time product sales with no recurring subscription component, though trade accounts offer preferential pricing.
- Customisation Options (Hardware, Fabric, Power, Concealment): Add-on revenue from customisation options including hardware colour finishes (standard RAL colours and bespoke powder coating), fabric selection (wide range of Dimout and Blackout cellular fabrics), power options (battery, mains, solar), and concealment systems (pocket and box solutions).
- Trade Account & Professional Services: Trade professionals (architects, interior designers, AV installers, blinds trade specifiers) can open trade accounts for exclusive discounts, special offers, and premium support. Installation services are offered for larger bespoke projects via measure-and-fit or trusted local fitters.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Bespoke automated blinds — quote-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
SONA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SONA designs and manufactures bespoke automated smart blinds in its UK factory, offering three core product lines: SonaApex (patented system for triangular, apex, and gable-end windows), SonaSky (skylight, roof lantern, and rooflight blinds), and SonaCell (freehanging, bi-fold door, and bedroom blackout cellular blinds). All blinds are hand-crafted to order using proprietary honeycomb cellular fabric technology and powered by Somfy motors, with options for battery, mains, or solar power and integration with leading smart home platforms.
Product overview
SONA is a UK-based specialist manufacturer of bespoke automated smart blinds, offering a portfolio of three core product lines: SonaApex (patented system for shaped/apex/gable windows), SonaSky (skylight and roof lantern blinds), and SonaCell (cellular freehanging, bi-fold, and bedroom blackout blinds). All products feature Somfy-powered motorisation, cellular honeycomb fabric technology for thermal efficiency, and smart home integration capabilities with leading automation systems. The portfolio is complemented by hardware finishes, fabric options, concealment solutions, and multiple control/power options, creating a complete automated blind ecosystem for residential and architectural applications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SonaApex: Patented shaped automated smart blinds system for gable end, triangular, and apex windows.
- SonaSky
- SonaCell
Products and services
- SonaApex
Quantifiable outcome
- Heat loss reduction through glazing by up to 40% with cellular blinds closely installed against window recess, equating to approximately 10% energy savings.
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use SONA
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
SONA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration11 records
Feature5 records
SONA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- SomfycoreSomfy is the motor and smart home technology provider for Sona's automated blinds. Sona is a Somfy Expert certified installer. The partnership involves Somfy tubular motors (12v electric motors), RTS (Radio Technology Somfy) wireless control, TaHoma Switch smart hub integration, and Somfy's smart home ecosystem. Motors are rigorously tested and operate with wireless handsets, wall switches, and smart hub integration.
- Control4coreControl4 is a leading luxury home automation and smart control system. Sona blinds integrate with Control4, enabling seamless control of window treatments alongside lighting, security, AV, and other smart home devices through the Control4 ecosystem.
- LutroncoreLutron is a premier smart lighting and automated shading control company. Sona blinds are compatible with Lutron's home automation platform, allowing coordinated control of lighting and window treatments for energy efficiency and convenience.
- KNXcoreKNX is the worldwide standard for home and building automation. Sona blinds are compatible with KNX systems, enabling integration with a wide ecosystem of building management devices and sensors for commercial and residential automation projects.
- CrestroncoreCrestron is an elite-level luxury home automation and control systems provider. Sona blinds integrate with Crestron's platform for sophisticated automated control in high-end residential and commercial projects.
- Crestron, Rako, LoxonecoreOn the main homepage, Sona displays integration logos for Crestron, Rako, and Loxone alongside Control4, Lutron, and KNX, indicating a broad smart home integration ecosystem for professional AV installers and home automation specifiers.
- SavantcoreSavant is an Apple-based luxury home automation and control ecosystem. Sona blinds integrate with Savant systems, targeting the premium residential market that uses Apple-based home automation solutions.
- CEDIAcoreSona is a CEDIA member — the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association — the global trade association for the home technology industry. CEDIA membership provides professional credibility, training, and standards certification for smart home integrators.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
SONA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Hunter Douglas: Global leader in window coverings and architectural products, including motorised cellular and honeycomb shades under the Luxaflex brand. Broad incumbent operating across the full window-treatment market, overlapping with SONA on automated cellular blinds but at significantly larger scale and broader product breadth.
- Lutron Electronics: Premier manufacturer of automated shading and lighting control systems, including the Serena and Sivoia QS wired/wireless shading lines. Broad incumbent competing with SONA in luxury residential and AV-integrator channels, with deeper brand recognition in the smart-home category.
- Silent Gliss: Swiss-origin premium manufacturer of architectural window treatments including motorised blinds, curtains, and track systems. Comparable as a high-end specifier brand targeting architects and interior designers, but with a much broader product portfolio and stronger international presence.
- VELUX Group: Global leader in roof windows and skylights, offering proprietary motorised and solar-powered blinds specifically for its own skylight products. Directly comparable on the SonaSky product line — automated skylight blinds — though VELUX's blinds are typically only compatible with VELUX-branded roof windows.
Direct peers
- Thomas Sanderson: UK specialist in premium made-to-measure blinds, shutters, and conservatory roof blinds with a national sales-and-install model. Most directly comparable UK competitor in the premium bespoke residential blind segment, though less specialised in shaped/apex windows than SONA.
- Appeal (Appeal Blinds / Appeal Solar Shading): UK premium blind manufacturer offering bespoke cellular, pleated, and motorised blinds to trade and residential customers. Closest direct UK peer with overlapping bespoke-manufacturing positioning, multi-channel distribution, and trade-account programmes.
- Hillarys Blinds: One of the UK's largest made-to-measure blind and curtain retailers, offering a broad product range with home-visit selling. Mass-market premium peer with overlapping UK residential blind market exposure, but lacking SONA's specialist shaped-window and smart-home AV integration positioning.
- Blinds Direct: UK online retailer of made-to-measure blinds, shutters, and curtains including motorised options. Adjacent competitor in the UK custom-blind e-commerce category, though operating at a lower price point and without SONA's specialist shaped-window and AV-installer focus.
Emerging players
- PowerShades: US-based specialist in motorised roller shades with a focus on smart-home and commercial AV integration. Comparable in its smart-blind niche focus and reliance on RF/Zigbee control ecosystems, but positioned in the North American commercial/professional channel rather than UK shaped-window residential.
Others
- Somfy: SONA's motor and smart-home technology supplier, providing tubular motors, RTS/Zigbee control, and the TaHoma smart hub. Included as an ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor — Somfy's own branded shading lines and OEM partner ecosystem shape the competitive landscape SONA operates within.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
SONA social profiles
Digital presenceSONA compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
SONA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SONA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
SONA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SONA 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 SONA
What does SONA do?
SONA designs and manufactures bespoke automated smart blinds in its UK factory, offering three core product lines: SonaApex (patented system for triangular, apex, and gable-end windows), SonaSky (skylight, roof lantern, and rooflight blinds), and SonaCell (freehanging, bi-fold door, and bedroom blackout cellular blinds). All blinds are hand-crafted to order using proprietary honeycomb cellular fabric technology and powered by Somfy motors, with options for battery, mains, or solar power and integration with leading smart home platforms.
Is SONA a public or private company?
SONA is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was SONA founded?
SONA was founded in 2020. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is SONA based?
SONA is headquartered in Preston, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does SONA make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Bespoke Automated Blind Manufacturing & Sales are the primary driver. The others are customisation Options (Hardware, Fabric, Power, Concealment) and trade Account & Professional Services.
Who are SONA's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Hunter Douglas, Lutron Electronics, Silent Gliss and VELUX Group. Direct peers are Thomas Sanderson, Appeal (Appeal Blinds / Appeal Solar Shading), Hillarys Blinds and Blinds Direct. PowerShades is listed as an emerging player. Somfy is listed as an others.
Does SONA have an API?
No public API is recorded for SONA.
What industry is SONA in?
SONA's product category is Motorised Window Blinds. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMADAIAN, Window Treatments & Shading Systems (Blinds, Shades, Awnings), with a secondary code of HSAHADAD, Motorized Shades, Blinds & Curtain Automation. Its NAICS code is 337920.