Hologram, an IoT platform developer formerly known as Konekt, has launched a cellular platform for the IoT. In contrast to legacy cellular connectivity solutions, geared toward mobile phones and tablets, the new Hologram platform is built for developing and deploying IoT products. The company also announced $4.8 million in funding, led by Drive Capital, to grow the team and scale the cellular network.
By running its own cellular network, Hologram will be able to provide an end-to-end connectivity solution that links a global cellular network with certified hardware and a cloud platform. Hologram enables developers and companies to build cellular-connected devices without custom engineering cellular infrastructure. The company has more than 50,000 existing connections globally and initial customers including Kelloggs, Metromile and Placemeter.
“Currently, building a cellular connected device is a lot like setting up a website in 1998 when you had to buy server equipment and run it in your closet. Teams are spending a disproportionate amount of time rolling their own infrastructure when they should be focused on their core product. Hologram is changing this with a cellular platform that handles the infrastructure for you,” said Ben Forgan, CEO, Hologram. “With the investment from Drive Capital we can accelerate our growth to continue to build new features and products to support our expanding base of customers, both big and small.”
As more companies look to capitalize on efficiencies driven by data from connected devices, Hologram’s platform lowers the cost of prototyping and deploying a new cellular product. This allows businesses to be more agile with their IoT strategy; they will no longer need to devote large chunks of engineering time to developing a prototype or deploying a new product.
“Hologram is re-defining the IoT connectivity market with elegantly designed, easy to use technology that transforms the world of connected things,” said Nick Solaro, partner, Drive Capital. “We believe Hologram, with its singular focus on building a robust, developer-friendly platform suitable for small and large enterprise companies alike, will continue to set the pace in the rapidly emerging IoT market.”
Bringing objects to life simply and quickly is a new imperative for individual makers and enterprise companies across industries.
Edited by
Stefania Viscusi
