Hologram Inc.

Hologram Inc., headquartered in Chicago, United States, provides an IoT connectivity platform that enables businesses to connect devices online using SIM cards, specializing in global IoT connectivity solutions within the telecommunications sector. The company's subscription-based services facilitate secure and reliable device communication, catering to a broad range of business customers seeking robust IoT infrastructure. In August 2021, Hologram successfully raised $65 million in funding, earmarked for significant expansion initiatives and a planned tripling of its employee headcount to scale operations. This substantial capital infusion has allowed Hologram to further develop its global infrastructure, enhance its platform capabilities, and broaden its market reach in the competitive IoT landscape. Hologram Inc. was established in 2014 by co-founders Ben Forgan and Pat Wilbur.

High-Level Overview

Hologram Inc. is a Chicago-based IoT connectivity platform founded in 2013 that provides global cellular connectivity for IoT devices using a single SIM card compatible with over 470 carriers worldwide.[1][2][3][7] It serves businesses in sectors like micromobility, healthcare, and logistics by solving the complexity of multi-carrier contracts, offering real-time device monitoring via a cloud dashboard, 99.95% uptime, and effortless global deployment across 190+ countries, with over 5,000 customers transmitting 2TB of data daily.[1][3] The company's growth includes recognition as an Inc. Best in Business winner in 2021, backed by investors like Tiger Global Management and Converge Ventures.[2][4]

Origin Story

Hologram emerged from a vision to simplify global IoT connectivity, founded in 2013 in Chicago, Illinois.[1][2][7] Co-founders Benjamin Forgan (CEO), an entrepreneur experienced in building global companies, and Patrick F. Wilbur (CTO), a systems architect with over 10 years in machine-to-machine (M2M) communications including innovative projects like near-space weather balloons, drove the inception.[2] What began as an innovative project to connect devices to any network instantly evolved into a robust platform, gaining early traction through its multi-carrier eSIM technology and expanding to serve thousands of customers worldwide.[1][2]

Core Differentiators

• Global SIM Simplicity: One SIM auto-connects to 470+ carriers, eliminating multiple contracts and ensuring the strongest signal for seamless deployment anywhere.[1][2][3]
• Reliability and Uptime: 99.95% SLA with 550+ carrier partners and automatic network switching for continuous performance.[1]
• Cloud Dashboard Excellence: Real-time visibility into usage, data limits, billing, and fleet health (e.g., Hologram Inflight for alerts), enabling easy management and optimization.[1][3][5]
• Flexibility and Scalability: Customizable profiles adapt to business needs across one country or globally, with a focus on IoT security, eSIM management, and developer-friendly tools.[1][2]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Hologram rides the explosive growth of IoT adoption, where billions of devices demand reliable, low-friction global connectivity amid rising demand in smart cities, logistics, healthcare, and micromobility.[1][3] Timing aligns with eSIM proliferation and 5G rollout, reducing hardware costs and enabling edge computing at scale—market forces like carrier consolidation and data sovereignty favor multi-network aggregators like Hologram over single carriers.[2] It influences the ecosystem by empowering developers and startups to prototype and deploy faster, fostering innovation in connected hardware while serving as a trusted partner rather than just a provider.[1][3]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Hologram is poised to capitalize on IoT's expansion into AI-driven edge devices and massive machine-type communications (mMTC) with 5G/6G, potentially deepening integrations like predictive fleet analytics and zero-touch provisioning.[1][5] Trends such as satellite IoT hybrids and stricter data privacy will shape its path, amplifying its network effects through partnerships. Its influence may evolve from connectivity enabler to full-stack IoT orchestrator, solidifying its role in a world of ubiquitous connected devices—echoing its founding vision of effortless global IoT.[1][2]