Fluidmesh Networks
| Company type | Private (before acquisition) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Wireless networking |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Founder | Umberto Malesci, Cosimo Malesci, Andrea Orioli, Torquato Bertani |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | United States, Europe, Middle East, Latin America |
| Products | Wireless point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, mesh networking hardware and software |
| Parent | Cisco (since 2020) |
Fluidmesh Networks focused on delivering both hardware and software solutions tailored for wireless point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and mesh networking. Its offerings catered to sectors such as video surveillance, enterprise environments, industrial operations, railways, maritime activities, and defense.
Corporate history
Established in 2005 by Italian engineers Umberto Malesci, Cosimo Malesci, Andrea Orioli, and Torquato Bertani, Fluidmesh began as a spin-off from MIT where the Malesci brothers pursued graduate studies. The initial software was created by Umberto at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, utilizing the Roofnet open-source initiative alongside the Click Modular Router framework. After an initial incubation period at Politecnico di Milano, Fluidmesh expanded its presence throughout the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. Over ten years, the company installed nearly 24,000 miles of wireless network links.
In 2010, Fluidmesh formed a partnership with CCTV manufacturer Pelco. The following year in April 2011, Chicago-based private equity firms Generation 3 Capital and Waveland Investments acquired the company.
By 2016, Fluidmesh had joined forces with Cisco to incorporate its wireless train-to-ground communication technology into Cisco Connected Rail Solutions. On April 6, 2020, Cisco declared its intention to acquire Fluidmesh; this transaction was completed on July 7, 2020.
Products and services
- Wireless connectivity and WiFi solutions designed for trains and railroad environments
- Internet of Things (IoT) implementations targeting maritime vessels and related industries
- Wireless backhaul systems supporting fixed wireless network infrastructures