Neverware

Neverware
Technology, Virtualization
Industry Education Technology
Founded New York, USA (January 2011 (2011-01))
Founder Jonathan Hefter
Headquarters Manhattan, USA
Website www.neverware.com

Neverware is a Google-backed, VC-backed technology company that provides a service intended to make aging PCs faster and more secure.[1] In February 2015 the company launched its second product, CloudReady; an operating system built on Google's open-source operating system Chromium. CloudReady can be installed on PCs and Macs up to 10 years old in order to speed them up and make them perform like a Chromebook. CloudReady machines can even be managed in the Google Admin Console, which is a true line of demarcation from just installing Chrome.[2] It was founded by CEO Jonathan Hefter and currently specializes in the education sector. It is headquartered in the Flatiron District of Manhattan.

History

Jonathan Hefter, Founder and CEO of Neverware

Hefter began developing Neverware’s core technology in 2009[3] after graduating from Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania.[4] In May 2010 Dogpatch Labs invited Hefter to work out of their Manhattan incubator,[5] and in early 2011 Neverware officially formed, moved to General Assembly’s Manhattan location,[6] and began operations.

After a successful pilot program,[3] Neverware launched in January 2013,[7] rolling its service out around New York City. CloudReady was released at the 2015 TCEA conference in Texas, indicating a broader national reach on the part of the company. Within weeks the product was picked up by education bloggers.[8] The new Neverware product is clearly staying true to the company and Hefter's original vision to connect students with equitable, quality access to technology, and obviously their product development strategy identified Google as a major force in the education landscape, as well as a strategic partner/investor, as of Google's investment in Neverware in the Fall of 2017.

Technology

Neverware’s first product, now branded PCReady, revolves around their proprietary server computer, called a Juicebox,[9] which generates thin clients – a special kind of virtual machine.[3] The Juicebox, which is installed locally, handles all processing and computing tasks and relegates only simple display and input tasks to the user’s machine.[3] This is at the heart of Neverware’s business model, as it allows for outdated and even some broken technology to provide full functionality.[10]

The current model Juicebox is designed specifically for education environments,[9] providing a solution that is less expensive than comparable enterprise services.[5]

Neverware's second product, CloudReady, follows Google into the cloud. The CloudReady operating system was built on Google's open-source Chromium and allows schools, government organizations, non-profits and enterprises to revive their existing hardware while taking advantage of the Google Admin Console's power and ease-of-use. For schools, this also means giving students and teachers greater access to the ubiquitous Google Apps for Education. CloudReady is differentiated from other options by the fact that machines running the OS can be managed alongside Chromebooks in the Google Admin Console, support is provided for hundreds of computer models, and mass deployment to many devices through tools like SCCM, Ghost, FOG and WDS can be coordinated. This allows school district and enterprise IT administrators the control and security features they need, as well as a simple, sustainable alternative to surplussing existing machines.[11] Since this article was published the company has changed its pricing structure to these three options for education:

Annual Device License - $15 per device per year

Perpetual License - $59 per device* (comes bundled with 3 years of technical support)

District Site License - $1 per student per year (includes unlimited use; minimum order of $2500)

Service

Neverware’s PCReady service includes full installation and setup of the Juicebox server, and continual system maintenance and support.[12] CloudReady is a single time installation, from USB.[13]

Financing

Neverware’s investors include Google, Khosla Ventures, Upfront Ventures, Thrive Capital, General Catalyst Partners, Collaborative Fund, OurCrowd, Mark Suster and Nihal Mehta.[4][7] Rethink Education became a major investor in Neverware in October 2014.[14]

Awards and recognition

Neverware has received media attention for its investment from Google[15], young founder,[16] noteworthy cause,[1] and projected viability.[6] It has also been lauded for its potential for reducing Ewaste by extending the lifespan of aging hardware.[17] Outlets such as Forbes.com,[18] The New York Times,[19] TechCrunch,[7] The Verge,[3] Engadget,[20] and The MIT Technology Review[21] have featured them.

  • Ranked in 25 Hot New York City Start Ups[6]
  • Founder amongst 20 Hot Young Stars in New York Tech[22]
  • Founder listed in Forbes’ 2012 Up-and Comers [18]
  • One of 13 Promising East Coast Tech Startups to Watch in 2013[23]

References

  1. 1 2 Shontell, Alyson (2011-09-02). "Hey Young, Hot New Yorkers: Why Aren't You Building Useful Businesses?". Business Insider. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  2. ↑ http://www.eschoolnews.com/2015/02/03/neverware-cloud-based-349/
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Popper, Ben (2012-12-11). "Neverware hopes to save cash-strapped schools millions by making old PCs run like new". The Verge. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  4. 1 2 Shontell, Alyson (2012-12-12). "An Admirable New Startup, Neverware, Has Raised $1 Million To Try And Save Schools A Lot Of Money". Business Insider. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  5. 1 2 "Neverware Means Never Buying a Computer Again". The New York Observer. 2011-01-20. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  6. 1 2 3 Shontell, Alyson (2011-06-07). "The 25 Hot New York City Startups You Need To Watch". Business Insider. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  7. 1 2 3 Crook, Jordan (2013-05-20). "Neverware Raises $1M To Keep Schools' Computers Quick Like Lightning". Tech Crunch. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  8. ↑ http://friedtechnology.blogspot.com/2015/03/how-my-mind-was-blown-at-tcea-by.html
  9. 1 2 Watters, Audrey (2011-01-29). "Neverware Breathes New Life Into Schools' Aging Computers". readwrite. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  10. ↑ "Neverware Promises a World Without Replacement Hardware". Wakefield. 2013-04-01. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  11. ↑ https://www.edsurge.com/n/2015-02-04-cloudy-with-a-chance-of-great-performance-neverware-heads-to-the-cloud
  12. ↑ Neverware. "How It Works". Neverware.com. Archived from the original on 5 June 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
  13. ↑ http://static1.squarespace.com/static/541b8bbee4b09b50ed999338/t/54f5eda7e4b0625e8c519d10/1425403303513/CloudReady+by+Neverware_Updated3.2.15.pdf
  14. ↑ https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/rethink-education
  15. ↑ https://www.theverge.com/2017/10/11/16455490/google-invest-neverware-chromebooks-refurbish
  16. ↑ Cannon, Lauren (May 2011). "CEO Passions: Volunteer Firefighting". Inc. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  17. ↑ Kalan, Jonathan (2013-07-17). "Juicebox: Squeezing new life into old computers". BBC Future. Archived from the original on 25 July 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
  18. 1 2 "Up-and-Comers". Forbes. 2012-04-04. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  19. ↑ Lipinski, Jed (2013-03-30). "We're One Big team, So Run Those Stairs". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  20. ↑ Hollister, Sean (2011-01-24). "Neverware's Juicebox 100 squeezes new life into aging school computers (video)". Engadget. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  21. ↑ Dickinson, Boonsri (2011-01-27). "Making Old Computers Feel Brand New". MIT Technology Review. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  22. ↑ Shontell, Alyson (2011-09-01). "25 and Under: 20 Hot Young Stars in New York Tech". Business Insider. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  23. ↑ Weber, Harrison. "13 Promising East Coast tech startups to watch in 2013". The Next Web. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
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