About Minim

Minim, Inc. (Minim) delivers intelligent software to protect and improve the WiFi connections the company depends on to work, learn, and live. Minim holds the exclusive global license to design, manufacture, and sell consumer networking products under the Motorola brand. The company’s cable and WiFi products, with an intelligent operating system and bundled mobile app, can be found in leading retailers and e-commerce channels in the United States (U.S.). The company’s AI-driven cloud software platform and applications make network management and security simple for home and business users, as well as the service providers that assist them— leading to higher customer satisfaction and decreased support burden. Strategy Overview The company’s strategy is to address the increasing demands of broadband users with advanced technology and build upon its position as a leading home networking product supplier in many of the largest U.S. high-volume retailers. The key elements of the company’s strategy are to customer-driven design; expand sales reach; and strengthen supply chain resiliency. Products The company is the creator of innovative Internet access products that dependably connect people to the information they need and the people they love. The company’s hardware portfolio includes: cable modems, cable modem/routers, mobile broadband modems, wireless routers, Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) adapters, and mesh home networking devices. The company’s Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform includes: mobile applications, a web application, API suites, and an open-source embedded agent for networking devices. The company has sold home networking products under the globally-recognized Motorola brand, as well as under its previously owned ZOOM trademark. The 2020 License Agreement applies to a wide range of products, including consumer grade cellular modems and gateways, DSL modems and gateways, and Multimedia over Coax (MoCA) adapters for networking and home security products and services. In 2020, the company extended its home networking product assortment with the launch of Motorola Mesh Router Systems and have since grown its mesh product line to include five systems including the latest generation of WiFi 6E technology. In total, the company’s catalog of hardware products has expanded to over twenty four home networking devices. The company enables its hardware with its Minim OS software, branded under the name Moto-Sync and provides consumers a whole home network solution. Home Networking Hardware The company’s networking hardware products connect homes and small offices to the Internet, create wireless networks, and extends the wireless signal. These products are primarily available through retail and e-commerce channels in the U.S. Modems and Modem/Routers (Gateways), which are devices that convert cable service into Internet connectivity for ethernet-only connection (modems) or ethernet and wireless connections (modem/routers). Minim’s primary cable modem sales from 2016 through 2021 were of Motorola brand products. The company has obtained CableLabs certification for its marketed cable modems, and these cable modems have also received a number of cable service provider certifications. Required by most service providers for interoperability on their networks, all modem and modem/router products must pass this lengthy, expensive, and technically challenging certification process. Minim plans to extend its DOCSIS 3.1 product line, adding high-performance modem/routers, including WiFi 6 and mesh-capable routers. Routers and Mesh Systems, which are devices that create WiFi networks. Mesh WiFi systems extend the signal throughout a wider area than a single router can typically cover. In 2020, Minim launched its first mesh WiFi system and plans to extend its mesh and router portfolio with WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E capabilities. Other Local Area Network Products, which are devices that create, extend, or enhance a Local Access Network. Minim offers MoCA adapters, which provides an Ethernet connection over coaxial cable between a MoCA-capable router and connected devices. SaaS The Minim SaaS platform offers three core software components: Minim mobile application for end users to personalize and monitor their home and office network with features such as speed testing, data usage tracking, security alerts, malware blocking, privacy settings, parental controls. Minim web application that enables technical support representatives in ISPs and businesses to offer efficient remote support with network insights. Minim API suite and MinimOS for third-party hardware vendors, ISPs, and other partners to integrate with the Minim platform, leverage Minim functionality, and manage their own account data. A foundational component of the company’s SaaS is an open-source embedded agent for integration with any third-party router firmware. Products for Markets outside North America The vast majority of the company’s sales were in North America from 2015 through 2022 because the business predominantly sold cable modem and modem/router products, and the U.S. is by far the largest market for cable modems sold through retailers. The company expands its customer base and portfolio of retail routers, mesh systems, and other local area network products under its worldwide Motorola brand license. Networking hardware products for countries outside the U.S. typically differ from a similar product for the U.S. because of varied regulatory and certification requirements, country-specific phone jacks and AC power adapters, and language needs. The company has planned product line enhancements to enable new market expansion. Most importantly for sales outside the U.S., the company is working toward selling Motorola brand home networking hardware and SaaS products in Canada and Mexico. Sales Channels The company sells its products primarily through high-volume retailers and distributors (B2C), Internet service providers, individual businesses (B2B), service providers, value-added resellers, PC system integrators, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The company supports its major accounts in their efforts to discern strategic directions in the market, to maintain appropriate inventory levels, and to offer a balanced selection of attractive products. Distributors and Retailers outside North America In markets outside North America, the company sells and ships its hardware products primarily to distributors. The company’s SaaS is globally sold via licenses to ISPs and Resellers globally. North American High-volume Retailers and Distributors In North America, the company reaches the retail market primarily through high-volume retailers. The company’s North American retailers include Best Buy, Micro Center, Target, Wal-Mart, and e-tail and e-commerce platforms, including Amazon. The company sells significant quantities of its products through distributors, who often sell to corporate accounts, retailers, service providers, value-added resellers, equipment manufacturers, and other customers. The company’s North American distributors include D&H Distributing and Summit Growth Partners. Internet Service Providers and Businesses Minim works with over 140 ISPs and businesses with its subscription-based WiFi management and security software. The company is empowering the IT staff of its business customers to secure and support employee home networks and other small workspaces. The company’s customer base is primarily located in the U.S. The company has customers all over the world, including Canada, the U.K., and South Africa. OEM and Router Manufacturers The company’s open-source embedded software agent enables third-party hardware vendors to integrate Minim in their networking devices, potentially to create a recurring revenue stream with its software services. The company’s system integrator and OEM customers sell its products under their own name or incorporate its products as a component of their systems. Sales, Marketing and Support In North America, the company sells its Motorola, and Minim products through a direct sales force and commissioned independent sales representatives to retailers; through channel resellers; and through electronics distributors. Motorola is a widely recognized brand name, and the company builds upon this brand equity in a variety of ways, including Amazon advertising, Google AdWords advertising, social media marketing and advertising, retailer cooperative advertising, product packaging, trade shows, and public relations. The company promotes Minim brand awareness through similar means, as well as engaging in industry associations, content marketing, outbound sales development, analyst briefings, and open-source project contributions. Research and Development The company’s research and development costs for the years ended December 31, 2022, were $5.8 million. Manufacturing & Suppliers The vast majority of the company’s cable modem chipsets come exclusively from Broadcom. The company is also subject to the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) and Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) rules, which affect component sourcing, product manufacturing, sales, and marketing. Competition Some of the company’s primary competitors by product group include the following: Cable modem and modem/router competitors: Belkin/Linksys, Commscope/Arris, D-Link, Hon Hai Network Systems (formerly Ambit Microsystems), Netgear, Sagemcom, Technicolor, TP-Link and Ubee Interactive. Router and mesh WiFi competitors: Amazon/Eero, Amped, Apple, Asus, Belkin/Linksys, D-Link, Google, Netgear, Securifi, Tenda, TP- Link, Trendnet, and Ubiquiti. WiFi Management and Security: AirTies, Cujo AI, Plume Design, SAM Seamless Network. Intellectual Property Rights The company has trademarks and copyrights for its firmware (software on a chip), printed circuit board artwork, instructions, packaging, and literature, and intelligent software. The company also has three active patents that expire in 2031. History The company was founded in 1977. The company was incorporated in New York in 1977 and changed its state of incorporation to Delaware in 1993. It was formerly known as Zoom Telephonics, Inc. and changed its name to Minim, Inc. in June 2021.