Open Garden is the creator of FireChat, an anonymous messaging app that uses mesh networking to connect nearby users when there is no other connectivity. The company originally focused on mesh networking apps to let smartphones share connectivity and first launched at TechCrunch Disrupt NY in 2012. FireChat became the company’s breakout product after its release earlier this year, and recent updates added photo sharing and the ability to follow other users. Open Garden plans to accelerate FireChat’s growth and to build partnerships with mobile app developers in key growth markets including India, Latin America and Asia. The team has discussed opening an API for its networking technology so other apps can use its peer‑to‑peer coverage in the long run. CEO and cofounder Micha Benoliel frames peer‑to‑peer networking as the future of the mobile Internet. Open Garden provides a service that lets Android, PC and Mac users securely and seamlessly connect phones, tablets and computers to share wireless data connections. The app has been downloaded more than 250,000 times. CEO and co-founder Micha Benoliel said the company will use the new funding to hire additional engineers and accelerate product development. Planned product features include multi-hop connectivity and channel bonding, which would let users combine WiFi and 3G/4G to increase bandwidth. Open Garden is also in talks with carriers and hardware manufacturers to get the app pre-installed on devices. The company argues its system can help carriers improve coverage, relieve network congestion by offloading mobile traffic to WiFi, and maximize speed through multi-network utilization.

Total raised

$13M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Series A

Latest activity

Dec 2014