Cisco Meraki
By Cisco
Cisco Meraki is a cloud-managed IT company that provides a comprehensive suite of networking products and solutions. Founded in 2006 and acquired by Cisco Systems in 2012, Meraki has become one of Cisco's fastest-growing portfolios, known for its innovative approach to network management and simplification of IT operations.
Meraki was founded by Sanjit Biswas, John Bicket, and Hans Robertson, with roots in the MIT Roofnet project. The company started in Mountain View, California, before relocating to San Francisco. Initially focused on wireless networking, Meraki expanded its product line to include switching, security, and mobile device management solutions.Meraki experienced rapid growth, becoming a leader in cloud-managed networking. By the time of its acquisition by Cisco in 2012, Meraki had connected tens of millions of devices worldwide and was recognized for its innovation by industry analysts like Gartner.
Prior to its acquisition, Meraki raised $80 million over six funding rounds. Key investors included Sequoia Capital, Google, and DAG Ventures. In July 2012, Meraki's valuation was estimated at $422.13 million. Cisco acquired Meraki in December 2012 for approximately $1.2 billion, representing a significant return for investors and founders.
Meraki's product portfolio includes:
Wireless Access Points (MR series)
Switches (MS series)
Security Appliances/Firewalls (MX series)
Mobile Device Management (Systems Manager)
Smart Cameras (MV series)
Key features of Meraki products include:
Cloud-based management through the Meraki dashboard
Automatic firmware updates and security patches
Integrated analytics and reporting
Scalability from small businesses to large enterprises
Since being acquired by Cisco, Meraki has continued to expand its product line and integrate more deeply with Cisco's broader portfolio. While specific post-acquisition product expansions aren't detailed in the provided information, Meraki has likely benefited from Cisco's resources and technology to enhance its offerings.
Meraki regularly updates its platform with new features. Recent additions include:
Enhanced eSIM management capabilities
Improvements to licensing and device management
Updates to network virtualization features
Camera retention enhancements
Meraki emphasizes a culture of innovation, simplicity, and customer focus. The company name itself, meaning "something done with soul, creativity, or love" in Greek, reflects its approach to technology and workplace culture. Meraki strives to maintain its startup-like culture within the larger Cisco organization, focusing on:
Autonomy and flexibility for employees
Collaboration and creativity
Simplifying complex technologies
Meraki has a diverse user base, ranging from small businesses to large enterprises across various industries. The company has built a strong community around its products, including:
An active online community forum for users to share knowledge and get support
The Meraki Marketplace, where third-party developers can create and share apps that integrate with Meraki products
Regular updates and engagement through social media and company blogs
Meraki's emphasis on simplicity and ease of use has made it particularly popular among organizations with limited IT resources or distributed networks. Its cloud-based management platform has been especially valuable for businesses managing remote workforces and multiple locations.
