GoTenna

Lore & Background

The idea for goTenna came about after Hurricane Sandy knocked out 25 percent of cell towers and caused outages for 25 percent of Internet services across 10 states on the East Coast. The company was officially incorporated in April 2013. In 2014, goTenna rolled out its first consumer product, the goTenna, a pocket-size communication tool that lets off-grid travelers talk to one another without cell service.

In September 2016, goTenna launched goTenna Plus, a subscription-based upgrade to the goTenna applications, which includes the capability to use other goTenna users as gateways to relay messages through to traditional SMS networks. The company also released its software development kit, enabling developers to create new applications using goTenna hardware, though its license does not permit use with open source copyleft licenses. Around the same time, goTenna unveiled a second-generation device: goTenna Mesh, the first consumer-ready mesh network of its kind, available to 49 countries.

In March 2017, the company announced its goTenna Pro line for professional mobile radio communications needs, leaving the consumer market for government markets. To finance its pivot, the company raised $24M in Series C equity and debt funding in 2019.

Reader's Guide

GoTenna's significance lies in its pioneering of consumer-accessible mesh networking for off-grid communication, directly inspired by the infrastructure failures caused by Hurricane Sandy. The company's devices allow users to maintain text and location-sharing capabilities when cellular networks are unavailable, addressing a critical need for disaster preparedness and remote travel. Its pivot from consumer to government markets in 2017, supported by $24M in Series C funding, reflects a strategic shift toward professional and public safety applications. The goTenna Mesh was the first consumer-ready mesh network of its kind, and the goTenna Plus subscription service introduced a gateway feature that bridges mesh networks with traditional SMS. The company's software development kit, while enabling third-party applications, notably restricts use with open source copyleft licenses. GoTenna's legacy includes multiple design and innovation awards, and it is often compared to the open source equivalent Meshtastic.