Firetide, a start-up based in Los Gatos, California, raised $13.6 million in the first close of a Series B Preferred Stock financing round. Firetide develops mesh technology for "wireless instant networks." The company recently began shipping its HotPoint Wireless Mesh Router, and announced a distribution partnership with Connectronics, a national distributor offering a broad range of products to VARs, ISPs, and system integrators throughout North America. Additionally, Firetide has partnerships in place with Cranite, a leading provider of comprehensive security for wireless local area networks and Airpath Wireless, a provider of HotSpot management systems.
The funding round was led by existing investor Menlo Ventures with participation from HMS Ventures and individual investors. Total investment in the company is now $16.8 million. http://www.firetide.com/
- Firetide's HotPoint Wireless Mesh Router uses advanced routing technologies and IEEE 802.11-compliant radios to "unwire" the Ethernet backhaul and create a self-configuring, self-healing mesh network. Firetide networks scale and self-configure instantly by simply plugging HotPoint routers into standard AC power outlets, providing a simple and reliable alternative to standard Ethernet cable. The technology could be used for building out Wi-Fi networks, video surveillance, and temporary networks in a variety of environments, such as public access HotZones, airports, hotels, campus environments or other locations where wiring is difficult, disruptive, or expensive.
- Firetide is headed by Bo Larsson, who previously was CEO of Emuzed, a developer of multimedia products and technologies. Previously, he was CEO and co-founder of Touchwave, a startup delivering distributed voice and data services and solutions using VoIP.
