Actuate Wins Prestigious Colorado Companies to Watch Award for 2026

Actuate, a leading cleantech company based in Colorado, has recently been celebrated as a winner of the prestigious 2026 Colorado Companies to Watch award. This accolade is granted to acknowledge innovative and growing companies across the state that display a commitment to excellence, leveraging advanced technologies, and making a notable impact in their industries.

Pioneering Predictive Building Intelligence

At the core of Actuate’s mission is its commitment to improving the operational efficiency of small and mid-sized commercial buildings, which make up approximately 80% of the market that traditionally lacks a robust building management system. Through the Act Hub platform, Actuate combines Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and controls with artificial intelligence (AI) analytics, delivering real-time monitoring, diagnostics, and control capabilities for crucial systems such as HVAC, refrigeration, and lighting.

This innovative approach not only enables operators to transition from reactive maintenance models to predictive solutions but also dramatically improves their operational effectiveness, allowing for smarter management of their energy resources. Clients using Actuate's system have reported significant outcomes, including reductions in energy costs by 10-30%, decreases in maintenance costs of 20-30%, up to 60% fewer emergency service calls, and 50% reductions in downtime—transformative benefits that serve to enhance profitability and operational reliability.

The Vision Behind Actuate

Actuate was founded on the principle that smaller operators, such as those managing portfolios of restaurants, convenience stores, and retail locations, deserve the same level of operational insights that larger enterprises have long enjoyed. Tom and Allison Fitzpatrick, the co-founders of Actuate, bring a wealth of experience to their venture, boasting over 50 years combined expertise in building data, energy efficiency, and commercial deployment. Their background includes 15 years of direct collaboration with multi-location operators across various sectors. As Tom Fitzpatrick, Chief Revenue Officer, noted, "This recognition means a lot to us. Colorado built an ecosystem for companies doing something genuinely new, and we're proud to build here. Our team shows up every day to make the people running these buildings better at their jobs. We're just getting started."

Continued Expansion and Innovation

As Actuate looks towards the future, the company plans to bolster its sales and marketing efforts and continue its expansion into sectors like convenience stores, retail, and automotive dealerships. The incorporation of agentic AI into the Act Hub platform promises to pave the way for even more autonomous building control capabilities.

Allison Fitzpatrick, CEO of Actuate, highlighted, "We started Actuate because we saw an enormous, underserved market and a real chance to fix it. This award reflects the operators who trust us and the team relentlessly focused on solving their problem." The award not only symbolizes the company's accomplishments but also acknowledges the efforts of all team members who contribute to their mission, from engineers and operational staff to client success teams.

In summary, Actuate's recognition as a 2026 Colorado Companies to Watch winner underscores its transformative impact on the commercial building sector. By harnessing cutting-edge technology and offering operational intelligence for smaller entities, Actuate is not only enhancing their efficiency but also underscoring the potential for innovation within the cleantech industry. As they continue their journey, all eyes will be on Actuate to see how they will reshape the future of building management.

About Actuate

Actuate operates out of Colorado and is dedicated to transforming how portfolios of small and mid-sized commercial buildings are managed. Its flagship platform, the Act Hub, integrates sensors and controls with AI-driven analytics to provide seamless monitoring, diagnostics, and management of building systems, which helps operators improve their operational efficiency and reduce costs. More information can be found at actuateiot.com.

About Colorado Companies to Watch

The Colorado Companies to Watch initiative honors second-stage companies in Colorado that develop exceptional products and services, create jobs, and foster community enrichment.