Balena

Balena is a comprehensive IoT platform that enables companies to build, deploy, and manage fleets of connected Linux devices at scale. Founded with the mission of simplifying IoT device management, the company provides a complete technology stack including balenaCloud for hosted device management, balenaOS as a container-optimized operating system, and openBalena as a free open-source alternative. Their platform supports over 100 device types, from Raspberry Pi to Jetson Orin to x86 hardware, and has proven capable of managing fleets of up to 200,000 devices. The company's approach centers on containerization technology, leveraging Docker-based containers through their custom balenaEngine to provide secure, isolated application environments on edge devices. This enables developers to use familiar tools and workflows while benefiting from robust over-the-air (OTA) updates, remote monitoring, and fleet-wide deployment capabilities. Balena also offers developer-friendly tools like balenaEtcher for flashing SD cards and provides extensive documentation, masterclasses, and technical support. Balena serves a diverse customer base across industries including industrial IoT, energy, robotics, and drones. Notable customers include Bosch, Meow Wolf, Skycatch, and infarm, demonstrating the platform's versatility and enterprise-readiness. The company emphasizes security throughout the device lifecycle, from hardware-level hardening to regulatory compliance features including SBOM tracking for requirements like the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA).