Millennial Net

Company name: Millennial Net
Where it's based: Cambridge, Mass.
When it was founded: 2000
What year it was a Fierce 15: 2004
Website: www.millennial.net

Why it was a Fierce 15: Millennial Net was selected because it created a technology called i-Bean that makes smart, self-organizing networks of wireless sensors that can operate without batteries. The company's solution consisted of wireless nodes and software and could be used to create low-cost sensor networks for a variety of industries. The company was a leading member of the ZigBee Alliance, a group in the IEEE promoting an open standard for wireless sensor technology. Click here for more.

What has happened since it was awarded the Fierce 15: Millennial Net is still privately held but was acquired by PHC Holdings, a private company in Esslingen, Germany, in September 2006. The company operates as an independent entity and continues to make wireless sensor network products under its MeshScape product portfolio.