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128 Technology is a Burlington, Massachusetts-based software company that develops session-aware, software-defined networking and SD-WAN routing solutions for global enterprise customers. The firm's proprietary Session Smart Router technology utilizes artificial intelligence to automate network policies and prioritize session data over traditional packet-based IP routing architectures. Prior to its exit, the startup raised over $96 million in total venture capital funding, which included a $30 million Series D round in September 2019 backed by G20 Ventures, Advanced Technology Ventures, and The Perkins Fund. In December 2020, telecommunications equipment manufacturer Juniper Networks acquired the company for a valuation of approximately $450 million. Following the transaction, the company's networking software was integrated into the acquirer's AI-driven enterprise portfolio. 128 Technology was founded in 2014 by Andy Ory and a team of former executives from Acme Packet.
128 Technology has raised $84.0M across 4 funding rounds.
128 Technology has raised $84.0M in total across 4 funding rounds.
128 Technology is a Burlington, Massachusetts-based software company founded in 2014, dedicated to "fixing the internet" through its Session Smart Networking platform, which delivers session-based software routers.[1][3][5] The company builds virtual routing software that understands applications and services at the session level—full two-way client-server flows—rather than just packets, enabling simpler, more agile, and secure networks for enterprises, service providers, and cloud companies.[1][2][5] It serves businesses struggling with outdated hardware-centric networking, solving problems like complexity, high costs, and gaps between business needs and network capabilities by collapsing functions like security, QoS, and insights into the router itself, with customers reportedly saving ~80% compared to traditional setups.[1][2]
Growth momentum includes raising over $57.5 million by 2017 (Series C), securing early customers (6-7 by 2017, including enterprises and MSPs), 40+ proofs-of-concept, 25 partners (targeting 50% growth), international expansion to Europe and Japan, and partnerships like with Silicom for managed SD-WAN.[1][2][6] By its five-year mark around 2019, it had innovated for scalability across low-to-high bandwidth, cloud/on-prem, and applications.[5]
128 Technology emerged from founders' recognition that traditional IP routing is "fundamentally broken," stressed by modern internet evolution, mobility, and app demands.[1][2] Key founders include Andy Ory (CEO), Patrick Melampy (COO at the time), Hadriel Kaplan (Co-Founder, VP of Technology), and Prashant Kumar (Co-Founder, VP of Product Management).[2][3] The idea crystallized over three years pre-2014 launch: build software routing that comprehends sessions and services for transformation beyond hardware limitations.[2][5] Early traction built on this differentiator, raising $57 million initially, landing initial customers, and expanding globally within years.[1][2]
Pivotal moments: Four years in (2018), it positioned as streamlining app/service delivery across domains, security zones, and firewalls; by five years (2019), continual innovations addressed bandwidth, security, and multi-cloud challenges.[1][5]
128 Technology rides the SD-WAN and networking transformation wave, addressing hardware's obsolescence amid cloud migration, 5G rollout, mobility, and app explosion—trends stressing traditional IP routing.[1][2][7] Timing aligns with 5G's demands for network slicing, ultra-reliability, and high-speed mobility, where its session-smart fabric provides granular QoS, stateful failover, and location-independent routing to avoid disruptions in mission-critical apps like autonomous vehicles.[7]
Market forces favoring it: Shift to software-defined, service-centric networks; 80% cost reductions appeal amid CapEx pressures; multi-use scalability positions it against competitors like Rackspace or FireEye in agile, secure fabrics.[1][3] It influences the ecosystem by enabling service providers to offer NaaS, enterprises to simplify hybrid cloud/on-prem, and 5G operators to meet SLAs—unlocking potential as networks evolve from packet pipes to app-aware platforms.[1][6][7]
128 Technology's session-smart routing positions it to dominate software networking as 5G, edge computing, and zero-trust security accelerate, evolving from SD-WAN innovator to core 5G transport and NaaS enabler.[5][7] Next: Expanded partnerships, global scaling (building on early Europe/Japan traction), and innovations in AI-driven session management or quantum-safe security to handle exascale bandwidth and threats.[1][2][7]
Shaping trends include 5G slicing proliferation and hybrid/multi-cloud mandates, amplifying its influence from niche disruptor to ecosystem standard—ultimately delivering on its mission to fix the internet by making networks as dynamic as the apps they serve.[1][7]
128 Technology has raised $84.0M across 4 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $30.0M Series D in September 2019.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2019 | $30M Series D | — | 83North, Andreessen Horowitz, G20 Ventures, Pillar VC, TCV, Sonja Perkins | Announced |
| May 1, 2017 | $22M Series C | — | 83North, Andreessen Horowitz, G20 Ventures, Pillar VC, TCV | Announced |
| Dec 1, 2015 | $20M Series B | — | 83North, Andreessen Horowitz, G20 Ventures, Pillar VC, TCV | Announced |
| Dec 1, 2014 | $12M Series A | — | 83North, Andreessen Horowitz, G20 Ventures, Pillar VC, TCV | Announced |
128 Technology has raised $84.0M in total across 4 funding rounds.
128 Technology's investors include 83North, Andreessen Horowitz, G20 Ventures, Pillar VC, TCV, Sonja Perkins.
