• goTenna

  Participated · Series A · Mar 2016

  goTenna is a Brooklyn, N.Y.-based mobile mesh networking platform led by founder and CEO Daniela Perdomo. Its core product, goTenna Pro, is a mesh tactical communications system used by wildland firefighters, emergency responders, military forces, law enforcement tactical units, and other government organizations to access resilient data communications and real-time position-location information when centralized cellular networks, Wi‑Fi, and satellite systems fail. The company also develops mass-market mesh networking systems for consumer use. Customers include all branches of the U.S. military, most agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and local and state organizations. goTenna raised $24M in Series C equity and debt financing and intends to use the funds for continued growth, expansion of operations, and research and development of future applications of modular mobile mesh architecture for decentralized connectivity. Silicon Valley Bank provided debt financing for the round. goTenna makes hardware and software that convert smartphones into local, off‑grid communications devices. Its product suite includes goTenna for consumers, goTenna Mesh for broader domestic and international users, and goTenna Pro for public safety and enterprise customers. The company also launched a services product, goTenna Plus, which provides offline mapping, read receipts and location tracking. goTenna has been R&D‑focused but reports selling millions of dollars’ worth of product organically and is working to diversify revenue through services. The startup has more than 23 employees and plans to ship goTenna Mesh in late spring and goTenna Pro in the fall/winter. With $16.8 million in total financing to date, the company says it is on a path to being self‑sustaining. GoTenna produces a 1.8-ounce Bluetooth‑paired device that generates long‑range radio waves to let users send text messages and share location via pre‑downloaded maps without cellular service. The company sells the device for $199 per pair and says it has sold "tens and tens of thousands" of units since shipping initial products last fall. GoTenna has an exclusive three‑month retail launch with REI and is positioned for outdoor use as well as travel and emergency scenarios. The team is about 13 people, and the company intends to use new funding to expand marketing headcount and grow the broader team. Product plans focus on improving existing hardware through software and firmware updates and developing a stack of technologies — firmware, networking protocols and hardware addresses — to enable resilient, bottom‑up communication infrastructure. The company recently closed a Series A to support those hires and product investments.

• Navdy

  Participated · Series A · Apr 2015

  Navdy sells an aftermarket augmented‑reality heads‑up driving device that projects phone apps and car data onto a transparent display so drivers can "Look Forward while Staying Connected." The device includes hand‑gesture controls, tight integration with a vehicle’s OBD‑II port to surface speed and fuel information, and was priced at $799. Navdy announced a co‑branded Navdy with HARMAN product and HARMAN will have exclusive rights to distribute the device to automotive OEMs, specialty auto/audio channels and select mobile carriers. The co‑branded aftermarket unit was slated for OEM availability globally and consumer availability in North America in January 2017, with plans to extend to Europe, Asia and South America. The company is led by founder and CEO Doug Simpson and is based in San Francisco. With the HARMAN investment the company reported total funding of $42 million, including prior investments from Qualcomm, Upfront, Promus, Ludlow and others. Navdy develops an in-car head-up display (HUD) that integrates with smartphones and supports touch-less gesture control. The product is available for pre-order at an introductory price of $299 (a 40% discount from a projected $499 retail price). Navdy plans to begin shipping in the second half of 2015 and is preparing for a broader product launch later in the year. The company intends to use new funding to ramp up its technical team and commercial capabilities ahead of launch. Led by founder and CEO Doug Simpson, Navdy is based in San Francisco, California. The company has raised $33M in total funding to date. Navdy makes a heads-up display device that projects navigation and other infotainment content off into the driver’s line of sight, using touchless gestures and a horizon-focused display. The company positions the product as a centralized hub for in-car interaction, aiming to update older cars without complex installation or high cost. Early customer feedback from a pre-order campaign has guided feature priorities such as preferred navigation apps and offline maps for European travel. Navdy reports significant commercial interest: its pre-order campaign generated $2.4M in committed orders and over 650 retailers and distributors have contacted the company. The device is differentiated from in-dash consoles and GPS HUDs by its gesture controls and emphasis on keeping driver attention on the road. Financially, Navdy closed a seed funding round that was oversubscribed, providing capital to support product rollout and continued software/app development.

No current team members are available.