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Based in Acton, Massachusetts, Affirmed Networks develops cloud-native, virtualized mobile network solutions that enable telecommunications operators to deploy and scale 4G and 5G infrastructure efficiently. Prior to its corporate acquisition, the enterprise software provider raised over $155 million in venture funding to build its proprietary network function virtualization platforms. The company has successfully deployed its technology with more than 100 telecommunications customers across 89 countries globally, helping clients reduce total cost of ownership. Affirmed Networks provides its virtual evolved packet core and IoT mobile core solutions to major mobile network operators, including recognizable industry clients like AT&T and Vodafone. In April 2020, the company was acquired by Microsoft and integrated into the Azure for Operators portfolio to facilitate broader telecom cloud transitions. Affirmed Networks was founded in 2010 by Hassan Ahmed, Anand Krishnamurthy, and Chris Burke.
Affirmed Networks has raised $191.4M across 6 funding rounds.
Affirmed Networks has raised $191.4M in total across 6 funding rounds.
Affirmed Networks is a technology company specializing in fully virtualized, cloud-native mobile core solutions for telecommunications operators, enabling them to scale networks, reduce costs, and launch new services like 5G and private networks.[1][2][3] Acquired by Microsoft in April 2020, it now operates as a subsidiary under Azure for Operators, providing products such as Virtual Evolved Packet Core (vEPC), UnityCloud 5G Core, private network services, and service automation tools that support 2G to 5G technologies while cutting CapEx and OpEx.[1][2][3][5] It serves global communication service providers like Vodafone, AT&T, Etisalat, and SoftBank, solving the challenges of handling surging mobile traffic, simplifying multivendor operations, and monetizing enterprise opportunities in Industry 4.0 through NFV (Network Functions Virtualization).[1][2][3]
With over 100 deployments worldwide and nine years of production experience by 2020, Affirmed demonstrated strong growth momentum pre-acquisition, raising $155M in funding and earning awards like "Top Disruptor in Telecom Market."[1][5][7] Post-acquisition, its integration with Microsoft's Azure edge compute, AI, and analytics has accelerated innovations in hybrid cloud networks and network slicing.[2][3][5]
Founded in 2010 in Acton, MA, Affirmed Networks emerged with a visionary approach to cloud-native networks, pioneering the virtualized Evolved Packet Core (vEPC) to disrupt traditional mobile infrastructure.[1][5][7] The founders identified the mobile industry's need to scale for exploding data demands while slashing costs, articulating NFV's potential years before it became mainstream.[5] Early traction came from deploying high-performance, software-based cores on off-the-shelf hardware, attracting forward-thinking operators and leading to over 100 global customer wins by 2020.[1]
A pivotal moment was Microsoft's acquisition in April 2020, transforming Affirmed into a fully-owned subsidiary and integrating it into Azure for Operators, which amplified its reach and capabilities for 5G transformations.[1][2][3][5]
Affirmed Networks rides the NFV and 5G transformation wave, addressing telco operators' shift from rigid hardware to agile, cloud-native infrastructures amid exploding data traffic and 5G rollout.[1][2][5] Its timing was ideal: launching vEPC in 2010 preempted the 4G/5G boom, helping operators like SoftBank and Vodafone deploy M2M, connected cars, and private networks faster.[2][3] Market forces like rising CapEx pressures, enterprise demand for secure private 5G (e.g., Industry 4.0), and hybrid cloud adoption favor its model, as seen in integrations with Azure for AI-driven automation.[2][3][5]
It influences the ecosystem by proving NFV's viability in production (85+ networks), accelerating operator migrations, and enabling webscale services that blend telco reliability with hyperscaler speed, setting standards for multivendor slicing and edge computing.[1][2][3]
As part of Microsoft Azure for Operators, Affirmed is poised to dominate hybrid-edge 5G cores, expanding private networks for enterprises and AI-optimized operations amid 6G horizons and IoT surges.[2][3] Trends like network slicing, edge AI, and telco cloudification will propel its growth, potentially powering more Industry 4.0 use cases with seamless macro-Wi-Fi integration.[1][3] Its influence may evolve from disruptor to foundational enabler, helping operators monetize 5G at scale while Microsoft amplifies global reach—reinforcing its role in powering the world wide wireless web.[1][3]
Affirmed Networks has raised $191.4M in total across 6 funding rounds.
Affirmed Networks's investors include Ned Hooper, Eastward Capital Partners, Quinn Li, Centerview Capital Technology, Atreides Management, Bessemer Venture Partners, Cupule Ventures, DGF Investimentos, Mindset Ventures, Qualcomm Ventures, SoftBank Capital, Tribeca Venture Partners.
Affirmed Networks has raised $191.4M across 6 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $38.0M Other Equity in February 2019.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 25, 2019 | $38M Venture Round | NED Hooper | Eastward Capital Partners, Quinn LI | Announced |
| Feb 1, 2019 | $38M Series U | Centerview Capital Technology | Atreides Management, Bessemer Venture Partners, Cupule Ventures, DGF Investimentos, Mindset Ventures, Qualcomm Ventures, SoftBank Capital, Tribeca Venture Partners, Eastward Capital Partners | Announced |
| Jun 1, 2013 | $51M Series C | Bessemer Venture Partners | Atreides Management, CRV, Cupule Ventures, Ignition Partners, Matrix, SoftBank Capital, Tribeca Venture Partners, Underscore VC, KCK Group | Announced |
| Nov 1, 2012 | $52M Series B | — | CRV, Ignition Partners, Matrix, Underscore VC | Announced |
| Aug 11, 2011 | $1.4M Venture Round | Highland Capital Partners, Matrix Partners | — | Announced |
| Jun 1, 2010 | $11M Series A | — | CRV, Ignition Partners, Matrix, Underscore VC | Announced |
