ISense Global, Singapore’s smart city internet of things (IoT) provider, announced Monday a strategic investment from DNAKE (Xiamen) Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., a publicly listed Chinese smart intercom and building automation firm.

ISense said in a statement that this milestone strengthens its regional expansion plans and lays the foundation for its long-term vision of a Nasdaq listing within the next five years.

It highlighted that this partnership goes beyond capital investment.

It said the firm will transition manufacturing from third-party suppliers to DNAKE’s facilities, ensuring greater cost efficiency, faster scaling, and enhanced quality control.

The two companies will also co-develop next-generation IoT solutions in areas such as healthcare, access control, security and city-scale monitoring – combining DNAKE’s hardware and automation expertise with iSense’s proven track record in AI-driven analytics and massive IoT deployments.

According to the statement, the Southeast Asia smart cities market is projected to triple from $49.1 billion in 2024 to $145.8 billion by 2033.

With more than 80 percent market share in Singapore’s Housing Development Board (HDB) smart lighting network, iSense has established itself as the backbone of the nation’s smart city infrastructure.

Its projects deliver up to 70 percent energy savings in parks and over 50 percent savings in public housing estates.

Individual IoT deployment can reach over one million connected devices, with valuations in the hundreds of millions of dollars, underscoring iSense’s nation-scale impact.

“Partnering with DNAKE is a game-changer for iSense. Their manufacturing expertise and public market experience empower us to scale faster, expand internationally, and take on larger, more complex projects,

“Together, we will accelerate smart city innovation at a global scale,” said Christopher Lee, Chief Executive Officer of iSense Global.

Miao Guodong, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DNAKE, said they are excited to forge this strategic alliance with iSense Global, whose vision aligns perfectly with their smart city ambitions.

“This partnership enables us to combine strengths and create greater impact in advancing sustainable, connected urban living worldwide,” he added.

It is noted that iSense is already delivering flagship projects beyond Singapore, including the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Smart City Lighting Project in Thailand, citywide smart lighting in Mito City and Koriyama City, Japan, and nationwide highway networks in Malaysia.

With initiatives underway in the Philippines and Vietnam, and expansion plans into Indonesia, Australia, Europe, and the United States, iSense is rapidly positioning itself as a global smart city powerhouse.

This investment marks iSense’s evolution from a quiet market leader into a globally ambitious innovator, united with DNAKE to deliver smarter, safer, and more sustainable cities worldwide, said the statement.

Singapore’s SixSense raises $8.5M in funding led by Peak XV’s Surge