Ring

Ring LLC is an American manufacturer of home security and smart home devices, owned by Amazon. The company was founded in autumn 2013 by Jamie Siminoff as the crowdfunded startup Doorbot, which developed a Wi-Fi-connected video doorbell allowing users to see and speak to visitors from a smartphone. After a rebrand to Ring in autumn 2014, the company expanded into a broader line of home security products, including security cameras, floodlight cams, and the Ring Alarm system. Ring's product philosophy, described by its founders as an "alarm system literally turned inside out," emphasizes proactive monitoring and deterrence over traditional reactive security. Ring's product ecosystem includes smart doorbells, indoor and outdoor security cameras, alarm systems, and accessories. The company also operates Neighbors, a hyperlocal social network launched in May 2018 that allows users to share crime and safety information and footage captured by Ring devices. Neighbors has been used by law enforcement agencies to request footage from users, a practice that has drawn criticism from civil rights groups. Ring has faced scrutiny over privacy and security issues, including a 2023 settlement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission for $5.8 million over alleged privacy violations, and various security vulnerabilities discovered in its products. Amazon acquired Ring in April 2018 for approximately $839 million (some reports cite $1.15 billion), integrating it into its smart home portfolio alongside brands like Blink and Eero. Under Amazon, Ring has continued to launch new products, including the Ring Alarm Pro (a collaboration with Eero) and various camera updates. The brand remains a leader in the DIY home security market, competing with companies like ADT, Google Nest, and Arlo. Ring's marketing has featured celebrity endorsements, notably Shaquille O'Neal, who became a spokesperson after investing in the company in 2016.

Ring was founded in November 2013 as Doorbot by Jamie Siminoff. The company crowdfunded its first product via Christie Street, raising $364,000 from a $250,000 goal. The Doorbot was a Wi-Fi-connected video doorbell that allowed users to see and speak to visitors via a smartphone app. In 2013, Siminoff appeared on the reality TV show Shark Tank seeking $700,000 for a 10% stake, but rejected an offer from Kevin O'Leary. The appearance was estimated to have generated $5 million in additional sales. On September 26, 2014, the company rebranded as Ring and launched its second-generation hardware. Siminoff explained that the new name and updated hardware better reflected the company's positioning of the doorbell as a home security product. In 2016, Shaquille O'Neal acquired an equity stake and became a spokesperson. The company raised over $200 million from investors including Kleiner Perkins, Qualcomm Ventures, Goldman Sachs, DFJ Growth, and Sir Richard Branson. In 2017, ADT sued Ring for trade secret theft related to Ring Alarm, and sales of the alarm product were preliminarily blocked. The case settled for an unconfirmed $25 million. With a reported burn rate of $10–12 million per month and legal expenses, Ring needed cash, and the ADT settlement spooked investors. Amazon began due diligence to acquire Ring in November 2017, and on April 12, 2018, Amazon acquired Ring for approximately $839 million (some sources say $1.15 billion). After the acquisition, Ring continued to operate as a subsidiary. In May 2018, Ring launched the Neighbors app, a hyperlocal social network for sharing safety information. In September 2019, the House Judiciary Committee began investigating the acquisition as part of a broader probe into digital markets. In September 2020, Amazon announced Amazon Sidewalk, a shared network that supports Ring devices. In April 2021, ADT sued Ring for trademark infringement over a blue octagonal sign. In September 2022, MGM Television launched a syndicated TV series co-branded with Ring. In 2023, Ring settled an FTC lawsuit for $5.8 million over privacy violations, and in 2024, it discontinued the Request for Assistance feature in Neighbors.

• Founded as Doorbot by Jamie Siminoff

• Rebranded as Ring and launched second-generation hardware

• Shaquille O'Neal acquires equity stake and becomes spokesperson

• Acquired by Amazon for approximately $839 million

• Launched Neighbors social network

• Launched Ring Alarm Pro with Eero

• Settled FTC privacy lawsuit for $5.8 million

• Discontinued Request for Assistance feature in Neighbors

DIY smart home security focused on proactive monitoring and neighborhood connectivity.

• Ring Video Doorbell

  Smart doorbell with camera and two-way talk

• Ring Alarm

  DIY home security system

• Ring Stick Up Cam

  Indoor/outdoor security camera

• Ring Floodlight Cam

  Security camera with floodlights

• Ring Alarm Pro

  Alarm system with built-in Eero Wi-Fi router

• FTC privacy lawsuit

• Neighbors criticism

• Security vulnerabilities

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• Shaquille O'Neal endorsement

1. 1Ring (company) - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Ringy acquires UPGREAT to scale the Baltics' circular electronics infrastructure - ArcticStartuparcticstartup.com