These Are The Stellar Networking And Unified Communications Startups To Know In 2023
The proliferation of hybrid/multi-cloud IT environments, coupled with the shift to remote work, is driving demand for more robust corporate networks and expanded unified communications capabilities. As part of CRN’s Stellar Startups for 2023, here are five startups developing next-generation networking and unified communications technology that solution providers should be aware of.
Making A Connection
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 amid 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.
Industry giants such as Cisco Systems and Microsoft provide many of the network technology and unified communications software services in use today. But a new generation of startups is building innovative products in this space.
As part of CRN’s Stellar Startups for 2023, here’s a look at five startups in the networking and unified communications arena, founded in 2017 or later, that solution providers should know.
A5G Networks
Founded: 2021
Top Executive: Kaitki Agarwal, Founder, President, CEO
A5G Networks develops AI/ML-based autonomous mobile network infrastructure. The startup’s software is fully cloud-native and built for hybrid and multi-cloud environments. It cost-effectively enables new services like drone delivery, smart cities, industry 4.0, smart mining, connected cars, digital health care and public mobile network transformation.
Partners can host A5G’s software in the edge and/or a data center to provide connectivity-as-a-service or provide a connectivity package with A5G’s software for on-premises or hybrid deployment.
Website: a5gnet.com
Celona
Founded: 2019
Top Executive: Rajeev Shah, Co-Founder, CEO
Celona is a pioneer in private cellular wireless products and services. The company’s private wireless offering is a complete turnkey system that provide companies with all the requisite components for owning and operating their own mobile network.
With Celona’s 5G LAN system, partners can address vital business use cases that today cannot be satisfied by conventional Wi-Fi or public mobile network operators’ cellular services.
Celona raised $60 million in a Series C funding round in March 2022. The company launched its Fanatics channel program in June 2022.
Website: Celona.io
Micas Networks
Founded: 2022
Top Executive: Patrick Tian, CEO
Micas offers open networking data center switching products based on Broadcom ASICs and Intel CPUs, integrated with the open-sourced SONiC OS. The company also collaborates with data center and cloud service providers on networking products.
Micas has established architecture and business development talent in the U.S., R&D capabilities in Asia and a manufacturing base in Malaysia.
Website: micasnetworks.com
Nile
Founded: 2018
Top Executive: Pankaj Patel, CEO
Networking-as-a-Service technology developer Nile has been one of the IT industry’s higher-profile startups in recent years given that one of its backers is former Cisco CEO John Chambers. That status was furthered by Nile’s impressive $175 million Series C funding round in August that brought the company’s total financing to $300 million.
Nile is looking to disrupt the enterprise network market with a next-generation wired/wireless access system based on cloud-native principles. The startup’s goal is to help IT teams save time, resources and capital by replacing manual network workflows and configuration with data-centric automation.
Website: nilesecure.com
Prosimo
Founded: 2019
Top Executive: Ramesh Prabagaran, Co-Founder, CEO
Prosimo provides streamlined, multi-cloud networking offerings for distributed enterprises. The company’s Full Stack Cloud Transit platform merges cloud networking, security, performance, observability and cost management, all underpinned by data insight and autonomous cloud networking.
In April Prosimo introduced a cloud-based networking product suite to help enterprises design, build, troubleshoot and manage single and multi-cloud networking environments. The suite of three tools: Visual Transit Builder, Cloud Tracer and Adaptive Service Insertion, simplifies connectivity, compliance and multi-cloud operations while speeding time to migration.
The company launched its Prosimo Next Partner Program in January 2022.
Website: prosimo.io