Editor’s Note: Commercial Integrator’s editors will update this breaking news about D-Tools and StellarIQ in the coming days as more details emerge.
D-Tools, a provider of business management software for the systems integration market, just announced that it secured a $12 million Series C investment led by technology executive and investor John Heyman through his newly formed company, StellarIQ. Greybull Stewardship, D-Tools’ majority investor, will provide continued support.
Per D-Tools’ announcement, this new funding supports D-Tools’ mission to become the de facto end-to-end software solution for electronic systems contractors. Moreover, the company says, it helps fulfill its mission to create cohesion, improve efficiencies, deliver insights and fuel growth as an essential service provider to the electronic systems industry. Moreover, this investment reinforces Greybull’s long-term commitment to the company, and, D-Tools says, will help fuel its quest to be the industry’s leading source for data-driven insights and AI-powered solutions.
D-Tools and StellarIQ: Benefits of Investment
Beyond the capital investment, D-Tools says it will benefit from the StellarIQ proprietary AI technology, which will enhance D-Tools product suites. Indeed, it will deliver enhanced functionality, more automated workflows and intelligent tools designed to help integration firms operate more efficiently and bolster their bottom line.
According to the company, this advanced AI technology will also power expanded growth of D-Tools’ Industry Information & Insights (I3) initiative, providing market intelligence, benchmarking and analytics that connect the entire systems integration ecosystem — from integrators and buying groups to manufacturers and distributors.
“D-Tools has long served as the backbone for system integrators managing complex projects and businesses,” says Heyman. “Our investment of capital and technology will propel D-Tools even further, creating a connected platform that empowers every employee and unites stakeholders across the industry through advanced analytics and reporting. I’m confident D-Tools will continue to lead and define the future of this space.”
Greybull Stewardship’s Continued Investment
“Our continued investment in D-Tools reflects our strong conviction in its mission, leadership, and sustained market opportunity,” adds Mason Myers, CEO and founder of Greybull Stewardship. “As long-term partners, we’re proud to support this next chapter, as D-Tools scales its technology, expands its reach, and further empowers and equips companies across the industry.”
“This investment allows us to fully realize our mission — to empower system integrators with purpose-built tools, actionable insights and AI technologies that simplify complexity and drive growth,” says Randy Stearns, CEO of D-Tools. “With StellarIQ’s strategic involvement and Greybull’s ongoing support, we are accelerating our product roadmap and expanding our vision to serve the entire industry value chain.”
D-Tools and StellarIQ: Exclusive Comments to Commercial Integrator
In the days prior to the announcement, Randy Stearns offered an exclusive interview to Commercial Integrator. During the conversation, he provided insights into the origin of his relationship with Heyman and StellarIQ. Moreover, Stearns fleshed out the implications of this partnership for D-Tools’ partners and customers. Check out excerpts from that exclusive conversation below.
Commercial Integrator: How did the relationship with John and StellarIQ come about?
Randy Stearns: John and I met 9 years ago at an exclusive industry event in Vermont and connected on multiple levels. We learned that we live only a mile from each other in Atlanta. We both take great joy in parenting a young child at an older age. Most importantly, we acknowledged that John, having built a unicorn software company, knew more about running a software business than I ever would. And I, having built and operated a large and reputable integration business, likely knew more about the electronic systems industry than he ever would. We decided to stay in touch and support each other’s journey in our respective new roles, which we have done, and our bond has deepened over the years.
After the sale of Snap One to ADI, John and I met for lunch, as we did on a regular basis. I asked John, “So, what’s next?”. John, not being the kind of guy who can sit still and spend his days on the golf course, had obviously been pondering that question. He shared that he’d like to remain involved in the electronic systems industry in some fashion and thought D-Tools was a — perhaps the — platform that could make the greatest impact on the industry. Then, he told me about his investment and involvement in AnswerRocket, an early player in the AI space, and he shared his vision for the impact that AI could have with D-Tools customers and the industry at large. With a shared vision, we pulled on that string…and we are both super excited about how things turned out following that initial conversation.
Implications for Customers and Partners
Commercial Integrator: What will this partnership with StellarIQ mean for D-Tools customers and partners?
Randy Stearns: This partnership affords D-Tools the freedom and flexibility to accelerate product development in significant ways. John and his team have been implementing AI solutions for Fortune 500 companies, and Snap One served 20,000 integrators, so he also deeply understands what integrators want and need. D-Tools has an amazing customer base and as happy as they are, they are hungry for more. This infusion of capital and technology means we can take our development to the next level, and for our customers, that means more impactful features delivered at a quicker pace—capabilities that don’t just check boxes but truly transform how they sell, design, manage, and deliver on projects, and service those clients over time.
An integral part of this acceleration will come from embedding AI across our portfolio of products. AI will not feel like a bolt-on, rather it will be foundational to how our solutions operate. From intelligent quoting and design recommendations to predictive business analytics and service insights, AI will help our users make better decisions, reduce errors, and run smarter businesses. It’s all about delivering meaningful improvements that align with the way integrators actually work. Full speed ahead!
D-Tools will also expand its role as the source of truth for industry analytics and insights. D-Tools has the opportunity to establish industry benchmarks and guide best practices, thereby helping the industry advance in a wide variety of ways.
