Azuki Systems

About Azuki Systems

Azuki Systems, established in 2008 and based in Acton, Massachusetts, specialized in video delivery technology, positioning itself to address the market shift toward “TV Anywhere.” The company was founded by seasoned serial entrepreneur Cheng Wu, who served as CEO, and Raj Nair. Wu has a notable history of founding successful tech companies, including Arris Networks, Arrowpoint Communications (acquired by Cisco for $5.7B), and Acopia Networks (acquired by F5 for $210M). His extensive background in creating and scaling enterprise technology ventures was instrumental in shaping Azuki's direction.

The company developed the Azuki Media Platform, a software solution designed for service providers, content owners, and broadcasters. This platform enabled the delivery of protected, high-quality video content to a variety of devices, including smartphones and tablets, over any network. The business model centered on providing a comprehensive multi-screen video platform that managed challenges like adaptive bit rate streaming and content protection. This allowed clients to monetize the increasing consumer demand for on-the-go media consumption. By focusing on over-the-top (OTT) video delivery, Azuki addressed a critical need for media companies and operators aiming to launch and expand their TV Anywhere services.

Recognizing the strategic importance of its technology in the rapidly converging media and telecom landscape, Ericsson acquired Azuki Systems on February 6, 2014. The acquisition, reportedly valued at $100 million, was a key move for Ericsson to enhance its TV and media portfolio, which included the recent addition of Mediaroom from Microsoft. The integration of Azuki's platform and its team of software engineers was intended to accelerate Ericsson's ability to provide compelling viewing experiences across multiple screens and devices.