FuzeBox

About FuzeBox

FuzeBox emerged from a company originally founded as CallWave in 1998 by Jeff Cavins. After going private in 2009, it was rebranded as FuzeBox. A significant milestone occurred in November 2015 when Thinking Phones, a venture co-founded by serial entrepreneur Steve Kokinos and Derek Yoo in 2005, acquired FuzeBox. Kokinos, who had previously co-founded and sold BladeLogic for approximately $800 million, led ThinkingPhones' transformation. Following the acquisition, the consolidated company rebranded as Fuze in February 2016, reflecting its expanded offerings beyond voice into a unified platform for video and collaboration. This strategic move positioned Fuze as a key player in the enterprise-focused, cloud-based communications market.

The company's core business revolves around providing a unified communications as a service (UCaaS) platform for large enterprise and mid-market customers. This service operates on a subscription-based model, with different tiers such as Fuze Pro and Fuze Business. The platform integrates business voice, high-definition video conferencing, text messaging, instant messaging, and content sharing into a single cloud service accessible on both traditional phone systems and mobile devices. Key features include the ability to host meetings with up to 1,000 participants, screen sharing, cloud storage, and remote desktop control. A notable aspect of the service is its interoperability; it allows users to join meetings from third-party platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Cisco Webex directly from the Fuze interface. The company also offers analytics and a form of enhanced caller ID that pulls information from a caller's public online profiles.

Fuze targeted its services primarily at corporate clients, developing vertical-specific solutions for sectors like manufacturing and recruiting. To expand its reach, Fuze formed strategic partnerships with companies like Samsung, Slack, and Theta Lake. The company's growth was fueled by significant venture capital funding, raising a total of $484.8 million by May 2019. Ultimately, in a deal valued at approximately $250 million, Fuze was acquired by 8x8, a cloud communications provider. The acquisition, completed in January 2022, was intended to accelerate 8x8's eXperience Communications as a Service (XCaaS) innovation, expand its enterprise customer base, and increase its global presence.