Firetide

Company name: Firetide
Where it's based: Los Gatos, Calif.
When it was founded: 2001
Year it was a Fierce 15: 2008
Website: www.firetide.com

Why it was a Fierce 15: Firetide's mesh technology offered resilient, self-forming and self-healing capabilities that guaranteed connectivity. The company scored some big WiFi mesh deals, including with the cities of Chicago, Dallas and Phoenix. Firetide even played a key role in the construction of the world's tallest skyscraper, the Dubai Tower, providing IP-based voice and real-time video streams. Click here for more.

What has happened since it was awarded the Fierce 15: Firetide continues to sell its wireless mesh technology for video surveillance to a number of customers. The company has deals in Los Angeles, Buffalo, N.Y. and elsewhere. Firetide also has been active in South Korea, delivering the Internet to rural areas via wireless mesh.