How We Got Here: A Timeline of Growth & Innovation
20 Years of IoT Innovation
From a bold idea in 2005 to a recognized global leader in IoT solutions, Mesh Systems has been at the forefront of connected innovation for two decades. Partnering with world-class brands, expanding across industries, and pioneering technologies, Mesh Systems continually redefines possibilities—from early breakthroughs in remote monitoring to award-winning connected products.
Driven by innovation, collaboration, and a relentless passion to push boundaries, this is our 20-year journey.
Mesh Systems was founded in Indianapolis, IN in April 2005 by Richard Baxter, Uriel Kluk, and Doug Brune to integrate connectivity and software-based intelligence into everyday objects, focusing on commercial and industrial applications (notice that the term “IoT” had not emerged yet).
Mesh made its first public appearance at Sensors Expo in Chicago in June 2005 and secured its first customer, Dow AgroSciences, to develop a wireless sensor network for termite detection.
Mesh launched its first technology platform, MeshVista, marking the start of its journey in bringing smart, connected solutions to market. One of its early innovations was a system for remotely monitoring termite stations, helping businesses track pest activity more efficiently. The company also developed a solution for monitoring wastewater systems and tested a smart energy management system for commercial HVAC equipment. These early projects set the foundation for Mesh Systems' expertise in building connected products that improve efficiency and reliability.
Mesh solidified its strategic partnership with Microsoft, becoming one of the earliest companies to develop IoT solutions on the Azure cloud platform during its Private Preview phase. Collaborating closely with Microsoft, Mesh created innovative cloud-native data middleware, laying the groundwork for what would become Azure IoT Hub. That same year, Mesh partnered with WLS Lighting Systems to deliver a cutting-edge lighting control application—still widely deployed today—highlighting the enduring impact of early innovations.
In January 2011, driven by accelerating business growth and an expanding client base, Mesh opened its first out-of-state office in Greenville, Wisconsin. This expansion positioned Mesh to better serve key customers in the region and tap into Wisconsin’s rich talent pool. Simultaneously, Mesh relocated its headquarters from Indianapolis to a larger, more strategically located facility in Carmel, Indiana—signaling the company’s commitment to continued investment in innovation and laying the foundation for future expansion.
Mesh collaborated with global brewing giant Anheuser-Busch InBev and telecom partner Sprint to launch "The Social Tap," a groundbreaking interactive beer tap handle that transformed passive bar visits into engaging social experiences during live sporting events. Initially deployed in 100 pilot bars and restaurants, The Social Tap quickly gained popularity, expanding to more than 12,000 venues nationwide. To manage this rapid growth and high-volume production, Mesh opened a dedicated warehouse facility in 2014, highlighting its ability to scale from prototype innovation to national distribution.
Mesh earned recognition from TechPoint, Indiana's premier technology advocacy organization, as a nominee for Emerging Tech Company of the Year. This acknowledgment underscored Mesh’s growing influence and reputation as an innovative leader within Indiana’s thriving tech community.
Mesh collaborated with Bunn-O-Matic (BUNN) and Microsoft to enhance the BUNNlink Wellness Program, enabling real-time remote monitoring and predictive maintenance for commercial coffee machines. Leveraging cloud connectivity, this solution empowered BUNN technicians to proactively identify issues, reduce maintenance costs, and significantly improve equipment reliability and customer satisfaction.
CEO Richard Baxter presented at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference, highlighting Mesh’s groundbreaking renewable energy collaboration with Steffes Corporation. Leveraging Microsoft Azure, the project deployed a large network of Grid-Interactive Electric Thermal Storage (GETS) water heaters at Kapolei Lofts in Oahu, Hawaii, transforming everyday household devices into a distributed energy-storage network. This innovative IoT solution, driven by Steffes' advanced energy-storage technology and Mesh Systems' IoT expertise, significantly improved grid stability and renewable energy utilization, positioning both companies as global leaders in sustainable, connected energy solutions.
Mesh expanded its operations to Poland, broadening its technical expertise and global reach.
In the midst of global uncertainty during COVID-19, Mesh Systems took bold steps to accelerate growth, expanding to its current headquarters in Carmel, IN, and simultaneously launching its dedicated IoT Innovation Center in Appleton, WI.
Mesh expanded its innovative capabilities by opening Mesh ThingsLab near its Carmel headquarters. Supported by the State of Indiana, this dedicated facility provides an advanced lab setting to accelerate IoT hardware, firmware, connectivity, prototyping, and rigorous testing.
- Inc. 5000 (#1,688) – Recognized on among the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S for the Third Appearance.
- TechPoint Mira Awards Finalist – Named a finalist in two categories: Exceptional Employer and Scale-up of the Year.
- Deloitte Fast 500 (#385) – Achieved 332% revenue growth over three years.
- Best Places to Work – Mesh Systems earned "Best Places to Work" award, a prestigious recognition honoring companies with outstanding employee satisfaction, team engagement, and workplace excellence. Driven by core operating principles, this achievement highlighted the company's dedication to creating an environment where employees thrive personally and professionally.
Mesh played a pivotal role in developing the Kraft Heinz REMIX Machine, an innovative IoT-powered sauce dispenser enabling consumers to create personalized sauce combinations through a sleek digital interface. This groundbreaking product achieved national acclaim, featured prominently on NBC’s TODAY Show and honored among the prestigious New York Times Best Inventions of 2023—showcasing Mesh’s capability to bring transformative, connected innovations to market.
Introduction of the Mesh Connected Suite, a comprehensive portfolio anchored by MeshCloud, the company's third-generation IoT Application Enablement Platform (AEP). Complemented by MeshManage, MeshEdge, MeshLaunch, and MeshInsights—an innovative generative AI-powered analytics offering—the Connected Suite solidifies Mesh’s role as an industry leader at the intersection of enterprise IoT and AI-driven innovation.
- Best Places to Work – Honored for the second consecutive year.
- Deloitte Fast 500 (#484) – Achieved 212% revenue growth over three years.
- Inc. 5000 (#2,449) – Recognized on among the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S for the fourth time.
Best Places to Work – Honored for the third consecutive year.
WEBINAR
20 Years of IoT: Insights & Reflections
Join Mesh Systems on June 25 to hear firsthand lessons from 20 years of IoT innovation—and where connected technology is headed next. In this fireside chat, you’ll learn what it takes to build lasting solutions, lead through change, and deliver real-world impact at scale.