Across rural Colorado, schools, churches, and community spaces are often left behind when it comes to smart technology. While large institutions invest in high-end, automated audiovisual (AV) control systems, smaller organizations are stuck with clunky remotes, tangled cables, and underpowered setups that just don’t scale. Installing a modern AV solution often means facing steep costs, locked-down proprietary tech, and complex integrations that require costly outside support.
For community leaders trying to host events, share information, or streamline their spaces, the gap is more than inconvenient—it’s a barrier to participation, communication, and growth.
But what if there were a smarter, more affordable way to bring automation into these everyday environments?
That question is what sparked the creation of TapTech, a flexible, intuitive AV controller designed with small communities in mind. In this spotlight, we meet the maker behind Spacelite, explore how TapTech is reshaping conference room AV, and discover why automation shouldn’t just be for the big guys.
Who is Spacelite?
Spacelite is a Colorado-based tech company rethinking what smart automation can look like in small towns. Built with simplicity, flexibility, and affordability in mind, Spacelite delivers next-generation AV control systems for spaces often underserved by traditional tech providers.
The company’s signature product, TapTech, is a customizable touchscreen controller that streamlines the way users interact with projectors, displays, and other media systems. It’s built with off-the-shelf parts, powered by familiar programming languages, and free from the rigid constraints of proprietary platforms—making it an ideal fit for rural organizations that need smart solutions without enterprise-scale costs.
Spacelite was founded by Yuriy Kuzma, a seasoned developer and AV expert who relocated to Westcliffe, Colorado after years of consulting for major tech companies and educational institutions. His deep understanding of both software systems and real-world AV environments fuels Spacelite’s mission: to make advanced automation accessible, intuitive, and community-driven.
How Did Spacelite Get Started?
“All those manufacturers act like walled gardens… Why don’t we just bring normal programming languages that everybody already knows and simplify the whole process?” — Yuriy Kuzma, Founder of Spacelite
The spark for Spacelite came from Yuriy’s firsthand experience with the frustrations of legacy AV systems. While working in the AV department at the University of Illinois, he often found himself tangled in manufacturer “walled gardens”—systems that required specialized certifications, proprietary languages, and expensive vendor contracts just to make basic changes.
After moving on to consulting work with companies like RoomReady, Yuriy saw that even industry leaders struggled with agility and user-friendliness. The rigid bureaucracy of big tech often left real-world users behind.
That’s when the idea struck: why not create a lightweight, open, and user-friendly AV controller that anyone—especially small organizations—could install and maintain on their own?
He left the world of large contracts and launched Spacelite, beginning with a single, customizable AV controller prototype built around a Raspberry Pi, touchscreen UI, and modular hardware.
It wasn’t about building the flashiest product. It was about giving control back to the user—literally and figuratively.
What Does Spacelite Do?
At its core, Spacelite develops streamlined, scalable AV solutions for organizations that want smarter tech without the complexity.
Spacelite focuses on making technology more intuitive and affordable through two offerings: TapTech and an upcoming service called The Hub.
TapTech
The centerpiece offering, TapTech is a compact, touchscreen-based AV control system that replaces tangled remotes and confusing switches with a single, user-friendly interface.
The device can also handle complex installations with projectors, motorized screens, or window blinds.
The Hub
In addition to TapTech, Spacelite is developing a companion platform called The Hub—a cloud-based system that allows organizations to monitor their AV devices remotely, track usage (like projector bulb hours), and streamline maintenance.
Although still in early stages, The Hub represents the company’s broader vision: smart, connected tools that serve the needs of real-world spaces without overwhelming them.
What Can TapTech Do?
“It should be possible to walk in and learn the system without having to consult IT.” — Yuriy Kuzma, Founder of Spacelite
TapTech simplifies and unifies control over technology in your space—from a single screen to a complete smart meeting room setup. With a clean touchscreen interface and modular capabilities, TapTech eliminates the need for multiple remotes, complicated switches, or vendor-specific training.
Here’s what TapTech can do right out of the box:
- Control multiple displays (TVs, monitors, projectors) from a single interface
- Switch input sources (HDMI, media players, conferencing systems) with one tap
- Adjust volume across connected audio systems in real time
- Control motorized blinds and window shades
- Power systems on or off individually or in synchronized groups
- Offer customizable user interfaces tailored to your specific space and needs
- Scale from a small conference room setup to a full auditorium installation
Additional features in development include:
- Integration with lighting systems for ambient or task-specific control
- HVAC system integration for centralized temperature control
- Compatibility with select security and access control systems
For those customizing their systems, TapTech includes built-in AI code suggestions to help users write code faster and with fewer errors. Spacelite plans to introduce additional AI-powered features to further assist both beginner and advanced programmers in setting up and customizing their TapTech systems.
And built with standard programming languages like Python and JavaScript, TapTech is highly adaptable—making it a cost-effective, future-ready solution for organizations that need more than a smart speaker but also can’t afford a full enterprise system.
How Does TapTech Keep User Data Secure?
One major improvement TapTech brings over standard DIY solutions like a basic Raspberry Pi is its robust security. Unlike typical setups where passwords could be read by simply removing the storage and accessing it from another computer, TapTech includes a hardware security module that encrypts sensitive data. Even if the storage were removed, the information would appear as unreadable gibberish.
“I am always thinking about security when building software. In the operating system and application software, I hash all passwords, so they are unreadable even by anyone logged into a TapTech. The web server only allows for encrypted connections to keep user activity secure. All software built is scanned for known vulnerabilities with a software bill of materials report being generated for auditing purposes. And that is just the start. I keep up to date with modern software security best practices.” — Yuriy Kuzma, Founder of Spacelite
5 Benefits of Using TapTech
Traditional AV control systems often come with steep costs, complex setups, and closed ecosystems that limit flexibility. For many small organizations—especially in rural communities—that puts smart automation out of reach. TapTech was designed to change that.
Here’s how TapTech stands out:
1. Affordable and Accessible
TapTech is built with off-the-shelf components and open-source software, dramatically reducing installation and maintenance costs. It offers small communities the ability to automate without relying on expensive contractors or proprietary hardware.
2. Easy to Install and Use
A typical setup takes only a few hours, and the intuitive touchscreen interface means anyone can walk into a room and operate the system without a training manual. It’s a configurable solution designed for real-world environments.
3. Flexible and Customizable
Unlike legacy systems that require vendor certifications and specialized programming, TapTech is written in standard programming languages like Python and JavaScript. That means it can be adapted for specific needs by in-house tech teams or local developers.
4. Scalable
Whether you’re managing one room or many, TapTech grows with your organization. It can control anything from a simple projector and screen to an entire building’s AV setup.
5. Support for Small Town Innovation
Spacelite is rooted in rural Colorado and committed to helping local organizations modernize without breaking their budgets. TapTech helps schools, city governments, and nonprofits access the same smart technology as larger institutions.
How Does Spacelite Help Organizations in Small Communities?
“TapTech should be a faster and cheaper solution than the alternative… especially for small towns that can’t afford what the big companies charge.” — Yuriy Kuzma, Founder of Spacelite
For many rural communities, implementing modern AV control systems feels out of reach. High installation costs, restrictive vendor contracts, and a lack of local expertise often mean that schools, churches, and municipal buildings are stuck with outdated or piecemeal solutions.
Spacelite is changing that.
By offering affordable, flexible, and easy-to-use AV solutions, Spacelite helps small organizations take control of their spaces. With TapTech, they can upgrade their classroom AV, improve the experience in community centers, or manage office AV solutions without relying on large-scale providers or complex systems.
Here’s how Spacelite supports these organizations:
- Lower Barriers to Entry: No certifications, licensing fees, or vendor lock-in. Just intuitive tech built with everyday users in mind.
- Faster Setup, Less Downtime: Installations take hours or days, not weeks—meaning less disruption and quicker results.
- Community-Centered Innovation: Spacelite works with local partners, including Emergent Campus, Startup Colorado, and the Fremont Success Syndicate to understand real needs and co-create smart solutions.
- Budget-Friendly Alternatives: TapTech provides a viable middle ground between consumer-grade tools like Alexa and high-end systems like Crestron.
For small towns with big ideas and limited resources, Spacelite offers the kind of smart tech that makes innovation not just possible—but practical.
The Future of TapTech
“We’re in grind mode right now… deeply rooted here and building things for real community use.” — Yuriy Kuzma, Founder of Spacelite
TapTech was never meant to be a one-and-done solution. It’s the foundation for something bigger: a smarter, more connected future for small organizations. As Spacelite continues to gather feedback and refine its offerings, TapTech is evolving to support more complex environments and wider use cases.
Here’s what’s on the horizon:
- Expanded Integration: TapTech is being developed to work with HVAC units and security systems—turning it into a true smart building controller.
- Improved User Experience: Future updates will simplify the interface further, making it accessible to users of all tech backgrounds.
- Device-Agnostic Monitoring Tools: Spacelite is working on The Hub, a companion platform that allows users to monitor and manage AV devices remotely. Whether it’s checking projector bulb hours or receiving maintenance alerts, The Hub is designed to make oversight effortless.
- Partnership-Focused Rollouts: Local engagement with schools, municipalities, and businesses is shaping TapTech for real needs—with reliability, simplicity, and cost savings at its core.
The ultimate goal? A future where walking into a classroom, community center, or town hall means being greeted by smart, seamless tech—without needing a technician on standby.
Incorporate TapTech Into Your Organization
If you’ve ever struggled with outdated AV setups, confusing remotes, or overpriced automation systems, TapTech was built for you.
TapTech offers a practical path toward smarter spaces—without the steep costs, lengthy installs, or proprietary headaches. It’s customizable, affordable, and made to grow with your needs.
Ready to explore how TapTech can work in your building?
- 🔗 Learn More: spacelite.com
- 📩 Contact: [email protected] to schedule a demo
- 🌄 Local to Fremont County? Connect with Spacelite via Emergent Campus or Fremont Success Syndicate
Smart automation isn’t just for corporate HQs and tech campuses anymore. With TapTech, smart automation is for the rest of us, too.
