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Nexkey is a technology company.
Nexkey develops a smart access control platform that transforms smartphones into digital keys, enabling companies to manage physical access remotely. Its core product replaces traditional physical keys and fobs with a cloud-managed system, allowing secure entry via mobile devices. The platform integrates with existing hardware, providing real-time access logs and data analytics to optimize building operations and improve security protocols across various facilities.
The company was co-founded in 2013 by Peter Russo and Gary Hammer. Their insight stemmed from the inefficiencies and security vulnerabilities inherent in traditional key management, envisioning a more flexible and modern solution for physical access. They aimed to leverage the ubiquity of smartphones to create a seamless and intelligent entry system, simplifying access control for businesses.
Nexkey serves commercial enterprises seeking to modernize their security infrastructure and streamline access for employees and visitors. The company's vision centers on redefining the experience of physical access, moving beyond outdated systems to offer a scalable, secure, and data-rich environment. They empower organizations to maintain dynamic control over their spaces, adapting to evolving operational needs.
Nexkey has raised $11.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Nexkey has raised $11.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Nexkey is a technology company that develops a cloud-based mobile access control platform, enabling users to manage physical space access via smartphones or Apple Watches without traditional keys.[1][2][3] It serves sectors including retail, commercial offices, gyms, beauty and wellness, coworking spaces, places of worship, real estate offices, golf clubs, and more, solving key management challenges by allowing instant granting/revoking of access, scheduling, notifications, remote unlocking, and utilization insights.[1][3][4] The product retrofits existing mechanical locks—like doors, gates, cabinets, and padlocks—into smart, connected systems via the Nexkey Core hardware, streamlining operations and enhancing security for over 800 businesses.[2][3]
Nexkey's growth includes $6M in total funding from one round, emerging from stealth in 2017, and recent expansions like retail-specific features for curbside pickups and store analytics, plus 2025 partnerships such as Lockt cloud integration.[2][4][6] A company restart emphasized stability for existing clients and scalability, positioning it as a simpler alternative in the keyless entry market.[4]
Founded in 2013 in San Mateo, California, Nexkey emerged from stealth mode in 2017, unveiling its platform that turns smartphones into digital keys for doors and locks.[1][6][7] Early development focused on commercial spaces where key management is complex, with hardware like the Nexkey Core designed for long battery life (up to 50,000 actuations or 5-10 years) and easy retrofitting of mechanical locks.[5] CEO Eric Trabold highlighted its evolution to serve retailers amid e-commerce pressures, converting locks for storefronts, cabinets, and more in hours.[2]
Pivotal moments include K9 Ventures' endorsement as a "keyless future" solution for offices, garages, and roofs, with full audit trails and subscription-based pricing (upfront hardware/installation plus monthly per-door fees).[5] A recent "rebuild with purpose" addressed challenges by stabilizing clients, integrating mechanical expertise with cloud tech, and launching expansions like retail dashboards.[4]
Nexkey stands out in the security technology sector through these key features:
Nexkey rides the keyless access trend in proptech and smart buildings, fueled by post-pandemic demands for touchless entry, remote management, and data-driven operations amid hybrid work and e-commerce shifts.[2][3] Timing aligns with rising needs in multifamily, retail (curbside/anti-theft), and shared spaces like coworking/gyms, where traditional keys fail scalability.[1][4] Market forces favoring it include cloud adoption, smartphone ubiquity, and competitors' focus on new installs (e.g., Swiftlane's facial recognition for multifamily, Spintly's enterprise wireless).[1]
It influences the ecosystem by democratizing smart access for SMBs—not just enterprises—via affordable retrofits, enabling insights that optimize space use and reduce rekeying costs, while integrations like 2025's Lockt expand interoperability.[4][5]
Nexkey is poised to scale as the go-to retrofit solution for keyless access, targeting broader smart building ecosystems with partnerships and integrations. Trends like AI-driven occupancy analytics, IoT expansion, and regulations for secure shared spaces will propel it, especially as every door becomes "smart" without rip-and-replace costs. Its influence may grow by powering hybrid workspaces and retail resilience, evolving from niche security to essential operations platform—reinforcing its mission to make access as seamless as a smartphone tap.[3][4]
Nexkey has raised $11.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Nexkey's investors include Aditi Maliwal, Blume Ventures, General Catalyst, K9 Ventures, rocketship.vc, Two Sigma Ventures, Girish Mathrubootham, Anand Chandrasekaran, Mark IV Capital.
Nexkey has raised $11.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $6.0M Series A in October 2019.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2019 | $6.0M Series A | Aditi Maliwal | Blume Ventures, General Catalyst, K9 Ventures, rocketship.vc, Two Sigma Ventures, Girish Mathrubootham, Anand Chandrasekaran, Mark IV Capital |
| Apr 1, 2018 | $5.0M Seed | K9 Ventures, Two Sigma Ventures |