Smart lock maker Level has been gutted and its founders are out
Smart lock company Level has laid off most of its staff, including its founders. The company, known for its stylish smart locks, was acquired by Assa Abloy (which also owns Kwikset) but has now been effectively gutted as part of a restructuring.
Background
- Level was a smart lock startup known for its minimalist design (locks that look like normal deadbolts, not bulky gadgets), founded by former Apple and Nest designers.
- In 2021, Assa Abloy — the Swedish giant behind Yale, Schlage, Kwikset — bought Level, hoping to bring better software and design into its portfolio.
- "Gutted" means mass layoffs and the departure of Level's founders and engineering team. The IP was absorbed into Assa Abloy's existing brands.
- Existing Level owners may see reduced software support and no new products. It's a pattern: a big incumbent buys a promising hardware startup, extracts its patents or talent, then winds down the original product line.