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§ Private Profile · Palo Alto, CA, USA
SaaS provider of network orchestration software to provision, manage, and secure networks for enterprise IT and multi-cloud.
San Francisco-based Backplane develops network orchestration software to provision, manage, scale, and secure data flows across complex multi-cloud environments. The enterprise software provider originally operated as a specialized social networking platform for celebrities and brands before ceasing those operations in 2016 and relaunching as a cloud infrastructure company. Prior to its strategic pivot, the technology company reached an estimated $40 million valuation, and it has raised over $18 million in total venture funding across its various iterations. Backplane secured financial backing from prominent venture capital firms and individual investors, including Sequoia Capital, Google Ventures, Founders Fund, and Joe Lonsdale. Following its corporate restructuring, the software provider secured a $5 million seed round and operated with a lean team of nine employees. Backplane was founded in 2011 by Troy Carter, Joey Primiani, Blake Mizerany, Matthew Michelsen, and Lady Gaga.
Backplane has raised $30.8M across 4 funding rounds.
Backplane has raised $30.8M in total across 4 funding rounds.
Backplane has raised $30.8M across 4 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $12.0M Other Equity in August 2013.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2013 | $12M Venture Round | — | Cirque DU Soleil, Coca Cola, Founders Fund, GV, Lerer Hippeau, Menlo Ventures, SV Angel, TomorrowVentures | Announced |
| Feb 3, 2013 | $5.8M Venture Round | — | FF Angel, GV, Greylock Partners, Menlo Ventures, Sequoia Capital, SV Angel | Announced |
| Feb 1, 2012 | $12M Series A | — | 7BC Venture Capital, FJ Labs, Rubicon VC, Scout Ventures, Think + Ventures | Announced |
| Jun 5, 2011 | $1M Venture Round | Eric Schmidt | — | Announced |
Backplane has raised $30.8M in total across 4 funding rounds.
Backplane's investors include Cirque du Soleil, Coca-Cola, Founders Fund, Google Ventures, Lerer Hippeau, Menlo Ventures, SV Angel, TomorrowVentures, FF Angel, Greylock Partners, Sequoia Capital, 7BC Venture Capital.
# Backplane: A Technology Company Overview
The search results reveal multiple entities operating under the "Backplane" name, each serving distinct markets. The most prominent appears to be Backplane Systems Technology, an Australian industrial PC manufacturer with over 30 years of experience[1], alongside Backplain (note the spelling difference), a SaaS platform company focused on AI model aggregation[4]. A third entity, Backplane Technologies Ltd, is a newly incorporated UK-based consulting firm registered in January 2025[2].
Backplane Systems Technology is an industrial computer solutions provider serving defense, aerospace, and commercial sectors. The company manufactures rugged tablets and vehicle PCs, positioning itself as a critical supplier to the Australian Defence Force with emphasis on reliable, high-quality products delivered on tight timelines[1].
Backplain, by contrast, operates in the AI software space. It builds a SaaS platform that aggregates AI models while providing search capability, logging, and analytics functionality[4]. This positions Backplain at the intersection of AI infrastructure and enterprise software, addressing the growing need for unified AI model management.
Backplane Technologies Ltd operates as an IT and engineering consulting firm, offering information technology consultancy, engineering-related scientific consulting, and technical testing services[2].
Backplane Systems Technology has established itself over three decades in the industrial PC sector, building expertise through sustained focus on defense contracting and rugged computing[1].
Backplain was founded by Tim O'Neal, a technology leader with over two decades of industry experience. O'Neal previously founded Epik Systems (an AI consulting firm) and Kazuhm (a distributed computing company), bringing deep technical credibility to the AI aggregation space[4]. His co-leadership team includes Reed Anderson (Chief Product Officer) with 25+ years in product management and IT, and Kevin Hannah (Chief Marketing Officer) with 25 years across product lifecycle management[4].
Backplane Technologies Ltd was incorporated on January 9, 2025, and is currently in its early operational phase with first accounts due by October 2026[2].
Backplane Systems Technology serves a critical but specialized niche: ruggedized computing for defense and industrial applications where reliability and supply chain security are paramount. As geopolitical tensions increase focus on domestic defense capabilities, companies like Backplane benefit from heightened demand for trusted, locally-sourced technology[1].
Backplain operates within the rapidly expanding AI infrastructure market. As organizations deploy multiple AI models across their operations, the need for centralized management, observability, and orchestration becomes acute. Backplain's aggregation approach addresses a real pain point in the fragmented AI tooling ecosystem[4].
The Backplane entities represent different responses to market demand: one through decades of specialized industrial expertise, another through emerging AI infrastructure needs. Backplane Systems Technology's defense relationships position it well for sustained demand, while Backplain enters a crowded but high-growth AI infrastructure market where differentiation through model aggregation and operational tooling could capture significant value as enterprises mature their AI deployments.
The newly registered Backplane Technologies Ltd suggests the broader "Backplane" brand may be expanding into consulting services, though its early stage makes trajectory unclear.