Bandora, a Portuguese AI-powered startup that optimizes air conditioning in buildings, is turning heads in the U.S. after achieving up to 70% energy savings in major restaurant chains like Dunkin’ Donuts and Dave’s Hot Chicken.
Within months of entering the U.S. market, Bandora proved its impact. “In one restaurant in New Jersey, we cut the energy bill by 50% in the second month — in the middle of winter. We’re now reaching 70% efficiency,” says Márcia Pereira, CEO and founder.
The company’s expansion was fueled by partnerships with Portuguese-American franchise owners, many of whom manage dozens — even hundreds — of stores. Bandora is also scaling quickly, having already deployed its solution in a 300-store optical chain on the U.S. West and South coasts.
Despite the success, the transition wasn’t without obstacles. “The U.S. B2B market is conservative. Sales cycles are long. You need a U.S. address, fluent English, and local presence to be trusted,” says Pereira. Bandora is addressing this by relocating part of its team and hiring locally.
Their competitive edge? Speed and simplicity. Bandora’s system can be installed in just two days, even in buildings without existing automation — a major advantage over solutions that require months of setup and high costs.
The software analyzes energy data, comfort levels, temperature, and weather forecasts every five minutes to adjust HVAC systems in real time. Now, Bandora is developing a version for data centers, which helped it win a pitch at CES, earning a spot to exhibit at CES 2026 in Las Vegas.
Looking ahead, the startup plans to integrate large language models (LLMs) to make installation even faster — potentially reducing it from two days to a few hours. Bandora also has eyes on the Gulf region, aiming to make its system “as easy to install as a cable TV box,” says Pereira.
From Lisbon to Las Vegas, Bandora is proving that smart energy innovation — with a Portuguese heart — can scale globally.
Related News