SCL Elements

SCL Elements Inc. was a Canadian company established in 2009 by co-founders Simon Leblond and Simon Caron. Leblond, a serial entrepreneur with a background in economics and a keen understanding of technology markets, served as the President and CEO. This venture was the duo's second collaboration, following their founding of SCL Medtech in 2004. Their complementary skills, with Leblond's business acumen and Caron's technical expertise, formed the foundation of their entrepreneurial efforts.

The company developed and provided building automation services through its CAN2GO brand. It specialized in multi-protocol wireless and wired controllers designed to optimize energy consumption in buildings. The product portfolio was aimed at facility managers, contractors, and OEM manufacturers, offering integrated solutions for heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, and metering applications. SCL Elements carved a niche by focusing on the underserved market of small and medium-sized commercial buildings (under 100,000 square feet), a segment largely lacking in energy management systems.

The CAN2GO system provided a flexible and interoperable framework by combining multiple communication protocols. It supported wired standards like BACnet, Modbus, and CANbus, alongside wireless technologies such as EnOcean and ZigBee, all accessible via a web-based IP interface. This approach allowed for seamless integration into existing building automation systems or deployment as a stand-alone solution, offering benefits like reduced installation costs and enhanced scalability. A key feature was its ability to bridge different protocols, acting as a gateway to connect various devices into a unified BACnet system.

In October 2011, SCL Elements secured $2.15 million in a Series A financing round led by The Westly Group and with participation from Navitas Capital and Anges Québec. This capital injection was aimed at scaling production and expanding business development efforts. The company's trajectory culminated in its acquisition by Schneider Electric, a global energy management specialist, on January 28, 2013. The acquisition integrated the CAN2GO technology into Schneider Electric's StruxureWare software suite, enhancing their building automation and energy management offerings.

Keywords: building automation, energy management, HVAC control, lighting control, smart buildings, BACnet, ZigBee, EnOcean, wireless controllers, wired controllers, energy efficiency, facility management, OEM manufacturing, small commercial buildings, Schneider Electric, Simon Leblond, Simon Caron, CAN2GO, building management system, interoperability, multi-protocol gateway