ClearSky Data delivers on-demand primary storage that includes offsite backup and disaster recovery as a single service, using a patented edge-based approach to optimize data across its lifecycle. Its service offers a single durable copy of data accessible anywhere, aiming to combine cloud durability with edge performance and flash speeds. The company says enterprises consume their offering as a service to eliminate traditional backup, replication and DR overhead. ClearSky is expanding its U.S. footprint in partnership with Equinix and has recently grown its executive team, appointing Roger Cummings as chief revenue officer. Customers named in the article include Partners HealthCare, Massachusetts General Hospital, Nuance Communications and Unitas Global. ClearSky reports strong commercial momentum, more than doubling year-to-date revenue over its last full fiscal year. ClearSky Data offers a multi-tier, fully managed hybrid data-management solution that places an appliance in a customer data center (or in AWS/Azure), a nearby co-location tier within ~120 miles, and Amazon S3 for cold storage. Its software and algorithms automatically move data between tiers based on usage patterns, policy and customer requirements to reduce cost and latency. The platform also handles de-duplication, backup and disaster recovery. ClearSky came out of stealth in August and is targeting early-adopter customers rather than traditional storage buyers. The company said some early beta customers are converting to paid customers but declined to disclose specific customer counts. ClearSky is based in Boston, operates co-location facilities in Boston, Philadelphia and Las Vegas, and has about 40 employees. Management plans to use the new funding to add personnel and expand the business to additional locations domestically and internationally. ClearSky Data offers a three‑tiered, fully managed storage service that places hot data on an on‑premises appliance, warm data in nearby co‑location facilities, and archival data in Amazon S3. Software algorithms determine data placement and the service includes deduplication, backup, and disaster‑recovery capabilities. The company likens its architecture to a content delivery network, serving data from the location that minimizes latency. ClearSky partners with Digital Realty to provide co‑location within a 120‑mile radius of customers and claims its approach costs approximately one third of a traditional storage solution. The company is based in downtown Boston, has about 30 employees and roughly a dozen beta customers. It has been operating for about 18 months and recently disclosed $12 million in funding led by General Catalyst and Highland Capital.

Total raised

$59M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Nov 2018