SpiderCloud Wireless

SpiderCloud Wireless was a telecommunications technology company focused on improving indoor mobile coverage and service quality for enterprise customers. The company was founded in November 2006 under the name Evoke Networks by Peter Wexler, Allan Baw, and Mark Gallagher. During its early development, the business was incubated as Copivia Inc.; Mike Gallagher was hired as chief executive officer in October 2007. Following the completion of a Series A financing in January 2008, the company adopted the SpiderCloud Wireless name. Its business centered on enterprise-oriented small-cell and radio-access infrastructure that mobile operators could deploy in offices and other large buildings. These systems were intended to address the limitations of conventional macrocell networks indoors, where building materials, floor layouts, and high concentrations of users can reduce coverage and capacity. Rather than operating primarily as a consumer-facing wireless brand, SpiderCloud supplied technology through carrier and enterprise relationships. Its customer base included Vodafone UK, Vodafone Netherlands, Verizon Wireless, and Warid Telecom, among others. The company’s commercial proposition was to help operators deliver more reliable indoor voice and data service while creating a platform for enterprise connectivity. SpiderCloud attracted venture backing from Charles River Ventures, Matrix Partners, Opus Capital, and Shasta Ventures. Public reference material describes the company as having raised approximately US$125 million in venture capital over its development, although the available material does not provide a complete financing chronology or a single dated financial statement. Corning Incorporated acquired SpiderCloud Wireless on July 19, 2017. The transaction ended SpiderCloud’s existence as an independent company and brought its enterprise small-cell capabilities into Corning’s broader communications technology portfolio. As a result, SpiderCloud is best understood today as an acquired telecommunications technology business rather than an active standalone brand.

SpiderCloud Wireless originated in November 2006 as Evoke Networks, founded by Peter Wexler, Allan Baw, and Mark Gallagher. In its formative period, the business was incubated as Copivia Inc., reflecting an early corporate structure before the company established the SpiderCloud identity. Mike Gallagher joined as chief executive officer in October 2007, helping lead the company through its transition from an early-stage venture into a commercial telecommunications supplier. The company completed a Series A financing in January 2008 and soon afterward changed its name to SpiderCloud Wireless. The rebranding accompanied the company’s effort to commercialize wireless infrastructure for enterprise environments. Its core problem was the difficulty mobile operators faced in delivering dependable indoor coverage and capacity in office buildings and other complex structures. SpiderCloud’s approach used enterprise-oriented small-cell and radio-access equipment that could supplement an operator’s conventional macro network. SpiderCloud positioned its technology as an operator solution rather than a retail wireless service. Mobile carriers could use the systems to improve service quality for enterprise customers, particularly in locations where indoor demand or building conditions made macrocell coverage insufficient. The company developed relationships with operators including Vodafone UK, Vodafone Netherlands, Verizon Wireless, and Warid Telecom. These relationships placed SpiderCloud within the carrier infrastructure market, where deployments depend on operator integration, enterprise requirements, and network economics. The company received venture investment from Charles River Ventures, Matrix Partners, Opus Capital, and Shasta Ventures. Public reference material reports approximately US$125 million in cumulative venture funding, but does not provide enough detail here to reconstruct each round, valuation, or financing date. SpiderCloud was headquartered in Milpitas, California, in the technology and telecommunications ecosystem of Silicon Valley. On July 19, 2017, Corning Incorporated acquired SpiderCloud Wireless. The acquisition transferred SpiderCloud’s technology and business into Corning and concluded its life as an independent company. No later standalone operating history is established by the supplied reference material. Its principal historical significance lies in its contribution to enterprise small-cell and indoor wireless-networking technology and in its role as an acquired specialist within Corning’s communications portfolio.

• 2017

  Acquired by Corning

  [1]SpiderCloud Wirelessen.wikipedia.org

  Corning Incorporated acquired SpiderCloud Wireless on July 19, 2017.

• 2008

  Series A financing and rebranding

  [1]SpiderCloud Wirelessen.wikipedia.org

  After closing its Series A financing in January 2008, the company changed its name from Evoke Networks to SpiderCloud Wireless.

• 2007

  Mike Gallagher appointed chief executive

  [1]SpiderCloud Wirelessen.wikipedia.org

  Mike Gallagher joined the company as chief executive officer in October 2007.

• 2006

  Founded as Evoke Networks

  [1]SpiderCloud Wirelessen.wikipedia.org

  Peter Wexler, Allan Baw, and Mark Gallagher founded the company in November 2006 under the name Evoke Networks.

A carrier-grade enterprise wireless infrastructure provider focused on indoor mobile coverage, capacity, and service quality.

• Wireless infrastructure

  Enterprise small-cell systems

  SpiderCloud’s principal product area was enterprise small-cell infrastructure for mobile operators. The systems were designed to extend cellular coverage and add capacity inside offices and other commercial buildings, where conventional outdoor macrocell networks can perform poorly. They supported the company’s broader objective of improving mobile service quality for enterprise users.

• Telecommunications equipment

  Enterprise radio access network solutions

  SpiderCloud developed radio-access solutions intended for operator-managed enterprise deployments. These offerings formed an infrastructure layer between mobile operators and business customers, enabling carriers to address indoor voice and data requirements through dedicated or supplemental network equipment.

• 2017

  Corning acquisitionM&A

  Background

  SpiderCloud had developed enterprise wireless infrastructure and served mobile operators including Vodafone, Verizon Wireless, and Warid Telecom.

  Action taken

  Corning Incorporated acquired SpiderCloud Wireless on July 19, 2017.

  Aftermath

  SpiderCloud ceased operating as an independent company and its technology and operations became part of Corning’s communications business.

  Source

• 2008

  Rebrand from Evoke Networks to SpiderCloud WirelessStrategy

  Background

  The company was initially founded as Evoke Networks and incubated as Copivia Inc. During its early commercialization phase, it adopted a new corporate identity after completing Series A financing.

  Action taken

  The business changed its name to SpiderCloud Wireless in 2008.

  Aftermath

  The SpiderCloud Wireless name became associated with the company’s enterprise small-cell and indoor wireless-networking business.

  Source

• 2017

  SpiderCloud Wireless acquired by Corning[1]SpiderCloud Wirelessen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Corning Incorporated acquired SpiderCloud Wireless on July 19, 2017, ending the company’s operation as an independent telecommunications technology business.

1. 1SpiderCloud Wirelessen.wikipedia.org