Versa Networks
What they do: provide a suite of suite of Virtualized Network Functions (VNFs) for building SD-WANs.
Problem they solve: Currently, it is expensive and takes forever to deploy traditional WAN solutions, such as MPLS. The traditional WAN model was also designed for a different era, one that didn’t have to contend with the cloud and mobility.
Moreover, Versa argues that proprietary WAN hardware from the likes of Cisco and Juniper doesn’t embrace advanced features, such as Network Functions Virtualization (NFV).
How they solve it: Versa Networks enables service providers and large enterprises to build WAN and branch networks based on a broad set of VNFs.
Backed by $43M in VC, #Big50-2017 startup Versa Networks delivers SD-WAN services for branches and carriers. https://wp.me/p330ZZ-kQ Click To TweetFor service providers, Versa enables managed services for virtual customer premises equipment (vCPE), managed SD-WANs, and managed security.
For enterprises, Versa provides carrier-grade solutions for SD-WAN and branch security projects.
Versa also offers network management, visibility, monitoring, and analytics capabilities.
In 2017, Versa added IPv6 support for all Versa Network services, along with new FlexVNF platform capabilities to fully software-define branch offices. Versa also integrated a hypervisor for the hosting of third-party VNF services.
Versa customers can now virtualize the full stack of branch services and take advantage of SD-WAN, SD-Security, and automation to manage their branch and WAN “with cloud-like principles.”
Headquarters: Santa Clara, CA
CEO: Kelly Ahuja, who is an eighteen-year veteran of Cisco, serving most recently as SVP of the Service Provider Business.
Year Founded: 2012
Funding: $43 million in Series A and B rounds from Sequoia, MayField, and Verizon Ventures.
Competitors include: Aryaka, CloudGenix, Viptela, Talari, and VeloCloud are the startups Versa will compete against. Riverbed, Cisco, and Juniper are a few of the incumbents they’ll also run up against.
Customers Include: Colt, China Telecom, Orange, and CenturyLink.
Why they’re in the Big 50-2017: Versa is a two-time Big50 winner! Last year, the startup finished third in Big 50 online voting for the cloud group. Since the last Big50, Versa has rolled out key service enhancements, added new named customers, such as China Telecom, and recruited a new CEO with the right background for this startup (almost 20 years at Cisco).
