Connesso Partners with Deako to Bring Modular Smart Lighting to Ohio and North Carolina
Connesso and Deako announced a partnership on May 16, 2025 to bring modular smart lighting to builders and homeowners across Ohio and North Carolina. Deako makes the lighting. Connesso designs it into the house, installs it, and answers the phone afterward.
Lighting is the system homeowners touch most and think about least. It's also the one most likely to be decided late, by whoever is holding the electrical plan that week. This partnership exists to move that decision earlier, and to put one team behind it from specification through the first year of living with it.
What the partnership covers
Connesso brings its installation, integration, and support capability to Deako's modular lighting across both markets. That means the same team that draws the lighting plan is the team that programs the keypads and the team a homeowner calls in March when something needs adjusting.
The systems are available now to builders and homeowners in Ohio and North Carolina. Existing Connesso clients can add Deako to a system that's already running; new clients can start with it in place.
For builders
- One point of contact from spec to training. Design specification, installation, integration, and homeowner handoff run through Connesso instead of across three vendors.
- A lighting package that shows well. Smart lighting is a visible upgrade on a walkthrough, and it reads as finish rather than equipment.
- Less coordination overhead. Expert installation and integration means fewer decisions land back on the builder's desk.
- Training and support from specialists. The team that installed it teaches it.
For homeowners
- Lighting control that's obvious to use. The interface is the point. If a guest can't work the switch, the system failed.
- It talks to the rest of the house. Integration with platforms including Control4 and Alarm.com, so lighting participates in scenes instead of standing apart.
- Modular and upgradeable. The hardware is designed to be updated over time rather than replaced wholesale.
- Support that stays. Connesso's team handles the system after move-in.
Deako makes the lighting. We make it part of the house.
What the two companies said
"We're thrilled to partner with Deako to offer builders and homeowners access to premium smart lighting solutions backed by our comprehensive support," said Tim Schilling, President and Co-Founder at Connesso. "Deako's modular approach to smart lighting aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering elevated home experiences that are both powerful and user-friendly."
"Partnering with Connesso allows us to ensure that our builder partners and their customers receive the highest level of service and support," said Derek Richardson, founder and CEO at Deako. "Connesso's expertise in smart home integration perfectly complements our innovative lighting solutions, creating a powerful combination that delivers exceptional value to the Ohio and North Carolina markets."
About Deako
Deako builds modular smart lighting control systems for homeowners. The company works with national builders including D.R. Horton, Meritage Homes, Toll Brothers, and Stone Martin. Founded in 2015 by CEO Derek Richardson and headquartered in Seattle, Deako has been named the No. 1 Smart Lighting Control System by TecHome Builder, a Top 25 Innovative IoT Company by Entrepreneur, and a Top 50 Most Promising Startup by Bloomberg.
About Connesso
Connesso designs, installs, and supports smart home technology in Columbus, Ohio and Raleigh, North Carolina. The work covers lighting and shades, audio and theater, networks, and security, drawn alongside the architecture rather than added to it.
