Wi-Fi infrastructure start-up Vivato has banked another $45 million in venture capital funding from a group of investors including the Intel Communications Fund.
Vivato, which markets a 2.4 GHz outdoor Wi-Fi switch that communicates directly with 802.11b compliant devices and can project wireless coverage throughout very large areas, said the latest VC infusion brings the total investment in the company to $67 million.
The San Francisco, Calif.-based Vivato said the new money would be used on production of the 2.4 GHz switch to develop a new wireless local area network (WLAN) product line. The switch, priced at $8,995, is a wall-mountable, flat-panel unit that covers wireless coverage for up to 150 Wi-Fi enabled clients in its 300 meter range, negating the need for deploying several access points.
It is being marketed to high bandwidth Wi-Fi wireless networks, especially among enterprises and college campuses across the U.S.
The latest funding round was led by Advanced Technology Ventures (ATV) and included previous backers Leapfrog Ventures, U.S. Venture Partners, Walden International and Intel Communications Fund.The Intel Communications Fund, which has pledged to deliver $150 million in funding to 802.11 related startups, is also helping to market the Vivato product line.
ATV general partner Jos Henkens pointed to the “explosive market” for Wi-Fi technology as a key reason for leading the latest investment in Vivato. “The company’s unique technology enables faster, more secure Wi-Fi connections over longer distances, satisfying an explosive market,” Henkens said.