Meraki Networks Closes Sequoia Capital Led $5 Million Series A Funding

Company Brings a New Low-Cost, Powerful Wireless Internet Network to 'Unwire the World'

    MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Meraki Networks, pioneer of the first consumer wireless mesh Internet network designed to "unwire the world," announced today it has closed a Series A funding round of $5 million, led by Sequoia Capital.     Meraki was founded in 2006 by Ph.D. candidates from MIT with the goal of bringing affordable wireless Internet access to people around the world. The Meraki team is developing low-cost, easy-to-install and use, wireless mesh technology that enables consumers to cover their homes, apartment complexes and entire communities with powerful wireless Internet access immediately. Meraki's technology enables community-wide wireless mesh Internet networks without the need for much time, money or expertise. Meraki is also experimenting with groundbreaking ways to offer free Internet access to Meraki customers.     "We're thrilled to have our efforts to revolutionize Internet access endorsed by a technology leader such as Sequoia Capital," said Meraki Networks CEO Sanjit Biswas. "We're looking forward to helping people build Meraki networks in their communities and around the world."     In a very limited beta program, Meraki's products became somewhat of a viral sensation, bringing wireless Internet access to more than 15,000 users in 25 countries around the world.     Meraki offers the Meraki Mini, a sleek 802.11 b/g wireless router that simply plugs into a wall outlet and an Internet connection. There are indoor and weatherproof, outdoor versions of the Meraki Mini. Meraki's products are controlled through a simple, web-hosted interface which provides for an inexpensive but high powered way for consumers and communities to start creating their own networks. The Meraki Mini will be for sale from www.meraki.net in the coming weeks for $49.     About Meraki Networks     Meraki Networks is the pioneer of the first consumer wireless mesh Internet network designed to "unwire the world" and bring Internet access to all. Headquartered in Mountain View, Calif. Meraki attracted more than 15,000 users in 25 countries during its beta period. For more information, visit: www.meraki.net     About Sequoia Capital     Sequoia Capital provides startup venture capital for very smart people who want to turn ideas into companies. As the "Entrepreneurs Behind the Entrepreneurs", Sequoia Capital's Partners have worked with innovators such as Steve Jobs of Apple Computer, Larry Ellison of Oracle, Bob Swanson of Linear Technology, Sandy Lerner and Len Bozack of Cisco Systems, Dan Warmenhoven of Network Appliance, Jerry Yang and David Filo of Yahoo!, Jen-Hsun Huang of nVIDIA, Michael Marks of Flextronics, Larry Page and Sergey Brin of Google, Chad Hurley and Steve Chen of YouTube and Steve Goldman and Sujal Patel of Isilon Networks. To learn more about Sequoia Capital visit www.sequoiacap.com.  

SOURCE Meraki Networks