What is Drobo?
Drobo, formerly Data Robotics, specialized in Direct-Attached Storage (DAS), Storage Area Network (SAN), and Network-Attached Storage (NAS) appliances. Its core innovation lay in its ability to allow users to easily expand storage capacity and protect data against drive failure without complex data migration. The company's products, known for their user-friendly design, supported various drive sizes and connectivity options including USB, FireWire, Ethernet, and Thunderbolt. Despite its technological contributions to the storage market, Drobo has faced significant operational challenges, with products becoming unavailable and support transitioning to a self-service model as of January 27, 2023.
How much funding has Drobo raised?
Drobo has raised a total of $57.8M across 8 funding rounds:
Series B
$12M
Series C
$10M
Series D
$15M
Series E
$10M
Debt
$4M
Debt
$350K
Debt
$416K
Series B (2006): $12M led by Sutter Hill Ventures, RRE Ventures, and Greylock Partners
Series C (2007): $10M, investors not publicly disclosed
Series D (2008): $15M featuring Greylock Partners, New Enterprise Associates, Sutter Hill Ventures, and RRE Ventures
Series E (2009): $10M backed by Greylock Partners, Focus Ventures, Sutter Hill Ventures, and RRE Ventures
Debt (2015): $4M with participation from East West Bank
Debt (2020): $350K led by PPP
Debt (2021): $416K supported by PPP
Key Investors in Drobo
Greylock Partners
Greylock Partners is a global venture capital firm known for investing in exceptional entrepreneurs across all stages, aiming to build category-leading companies. Their extensive portfolio and focus on innovation suggest a strategic interest in technology and scalable business models.
New Enterprise Associates
New Enterprise Associates (NEA) is a prominent venture capital firm established in 1977, dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs in building successful businesses. Their long-standing presence and broad investment focus indicate a deep understanding of market dynamics and growth strategies.
Sutter Hill Ventures
Sutter Hill Ventures, based in Palo Alto, focuses on financing technology start-ups and assisting entrepreneurs in creating market-leading companies. Their expertise in strategy, business development, and financing positions them as a key partner for high-growth technology ventures.
What's next for Drobo?
Given the company's recent operational status and the transition to a self-service support model, the implications of the $416K strategic investment remain unclear regarding future product development or market re-entry. The substantial total capital raised throughout its history suggests a significant prior investment in scaling operations and R&D. However, the current unavailability of products and support indicates a potential shift in the company's operational strategy or a winding down of active business operations. Future strategic moves, if any, will likely depend on the company's ability to navigate its current challenges and potentially re-establish its market presence.
See full Drobo company page
