Emerging Networking And Unified Communications Vendors To Know In 2022
The proliferation of hybrid/multi-cloud IT environments, coupled with the shift to remote work, is driving demand for next-generation networking and unified communications capabilities. Here’s a look at nine startups pushing the boundaries of network/UC technology that solution providers should know.
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IT environments continue to expand beyond the data center to cloud platforms, internal and external applications, and a growing number of user devices. That’s putting a strain on traditional IT networks to support and secure surging network traffic amidst increasing network complexity.
And with so many employees now working from home, demand continues to grow for more effective unified communications capabilities to support remote workers.
A new report from Astute Analytics forecasts that the global network-as-a-service market alone will explode from $15.3 billion in 2021 to $1.19 trillion in 2027 – a CAGR of 40.7 percent. The global unified communications space, meanwhile, is expected grow at a CAGR of 19.9 percent from $78.8 billion last year to $234.1 billion in 2028, according to a Vantage Market Research report.
Major vendors such as Cisco Systems, Juniper Networks and Microsoft are major players in the networking and unified communications arenas. But some of the most innovative products in this space are being developed by startups.
Here’s a look at nine emerging vendors that are developing technologies that solution providers can use to build solutions that help their customers tackle their biggest challenges in networking and unified communications.
*Neat
Alkira
Founded: 2018
Top Executive: Amir Khan, Co-Founder, President and CEO
Cloud networking-as-a-service startup Alkira emerged from stealth in 2020 with its consumption-based Cloud Services Exchange (CSX), a unified, on-demand offering that lets cloud architects and network engineers build and deploy a multi-cloud network in minutes.
In June of this year Alkira, based in San Jose, Calif., launched its next-generation Cloud Area Networking, a full-stack, edge-to-cloud, enterprise-grade network with built-in routing and network services. The company said the new service “dramatically accelerates cloud and multi-cloud deployments.”
Website: https://www.alkira.com/
Celona
Founded: 2019
Top Executive: Rajeev Shah, Co-Founder and CEO
Celona’s private LTE/5G networking platform unites Wi-Fi and cellular capabilities to provide enterprise customers with more wireless options.
In June Celona launched its Fanatics channel program for wireless connectivity resellers, MSPs and system integrators – the company’s primary route to market. The program’s debut came on the heels of the Cupertino, Calif.-based company hiring channel veteran Ron Gill as its first channel chief and the closing of a $60 million Series C funding round.
Website: https://www.celona.io/
EdgeQ
Founded: 2018
Top Executive: Vinay Ravuri, Founder and CEO
EdgeQ has created a 5G base Station-on-a-chip with the ability to bring AI to the edge of the network. The company’s technology is used to build 5G private wireless networks for IoT and industrial use cases. The startup’s RISC-V-based chip can perform AI functions for edge computing applications and to improve network capabilities.
The Santa Clara, Calif.-based company launched from stealth in November 2020 with $51 million in total funding, including a $38.5 million Series A round.
Website: https://edgeq.io/
Infiot
Founded: 2018
Top Executive: Parag Thakore, Co-Founder and CEO
Infiot provides intelligent access for remote-first users, micro branches and IoT devices. Zeto, the company’s cloud-based wireless edge access platform, provides optimized application connectivity, zero trust security, AI operations and network edge intelligence capabilities.
San Jose, Calif.-headquartered Infiniot emerged from stealth in October 2020 with $15 million in Series A funding.
Website: https://www.infiot.com/
Neat
Founded: 2019
Top Executive: Simen Teigre, Co-Founder and CEO
Neat designs simple video devices that the company says make virtual meetings feel as real as meeting face-to-face. Neat devices have crystal-clear audio and video, plus capabilities that support an engaging and safer hybrid working and learning environment, bringing rich and meaningful experiences to people‘s work and interactions across any meeting space.
Neat is based in Oslo, Norway.
Website: https://neat.no/
SignalWire
Founded: 2017
Top Executive: Anthony Minessale, Founder and CEO
SignalWire’s says its software-defined telecom network, API technology and video communications applications eliminate the telecommunications-internet divide by uniting traditional telecom, IP messaging, and modern WebRTC (real-time communication protocol) video and audio.
SignalWire, headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif., raised $30 million in Series B financing in June 2021.
Website: https://signalwire.com/
Stateless
Founded: 2016
Top Executive: Murad Kablan, Co-Founder and CEO
Stateless is providing network automation for the hybrid multi-cloud era with its Stateless Software Router and Cloud Connect as a Service offerings, helping organizations build complete, end-to-end multi hybrid cloud connections with a single workflow.
Stateless Cloud Connect, which debuted in May 2021, works with cloud and network provider APIs to connect different data platforms such as Snowflake and Databricks and virtual compute across different cloud systems such as AWS and Azure.
Stateless is based in Boulder, Colo.
Website: https://www.stateless.net/
Trustgrid
Founded: 2016
Top Executive: Joe Gleinser, Co-Founder and CEO
Trustgrid’s digital identity platform provides cloud-native, software-defined connectivity to securely connect SaaS applications with customer IT environments for identity-based transactions. The company’s SD-WAN 2.0 platform combines zero trust networking with integrated remote access and edge computing capabilities.
Trustgrid is based in Austin, Texas.
Website: https://trustgrid.io/
Zuper
Founded: 2016
Top Executive: Anand Subbaraj, CEO
Zuper develops digital solutions to help businesses provide superior customer service. With the company’s customizable field services management software service businesses can scale and modernize their service operations to improve customer engagement. The company’s software integrates with industry-leading apps and CRM systems and comes with robust reporting and analytics.
In June Zuper said the company grew significantly in the first half of 2022 with big customer wins. The company said its $19 million funding to-date had enabled the company to make strategic hires and accelerate its product development, marketing and sales efforts.
Website: https://zuper.co/