Building a global IoT leader, from Brickell to the world – Refresh Miami

By Riley Kaminer

When Ivo Rook moved to Miami in 2021 to help lead 1NCE, he wasn’t just seeking sunshine. (Although for the Dutch executive who was living in New York, the Vitamin D was definitely a draw.) The co-CEO of the global IoT provider was embarking on a mission to transform a once small-scale German company into a major player in the interconnected world of devices. 

And it’s all happening here in Brickell, of course.

“Miami is actually the start of our globalization journey,” Rook told Refresh Miami. “It’s been an incredibly good choice for us – not just for practical reasons but for what it symbolizes: a young, entrepreneurial, and competitive environment.”

Back in 2021, 1NCE was operating in just two countries and had under $1 million in revenue. Today, the company has scaled its operations to 52 countries, with its services being used in over 170. It has more than 20,000 customers globally, providing connectivity for millions of IoT devices. “Most of that growth has been orchestrated from our office in Miami,” Rook said.

Rook joined 1NCE as part of its Series B investment, backed by SoftBank and I Squared Capital. These investors, who were also transitioning their operations to Miami, encouraged 1NCE to do the same. The company started in a WeWork office before outgrowing the space and moving to its own floor on Brickell Bay Drive.

“Miami offers a collaborative and competitive environment that’s unlike anywhere else,” Rook said. “In New York, it’s all about surviving and outdoing others. In Miami, there’s a genuine willingness to grow together.”

At its core, 1NCE provides connectivity solutions for IoT devices, enabling manufacturers to integrate lifetime connectivity into their products. Whether it’s smart city lights that adjust their brightness based on usage patterns, solar panels monitored remotely, or connected medical devices, 1NCE ensures these products can function seamlessly anywhere in the world.

“What we do is change the IoT game so that our customers can change the world,” Rook explained. “By embedding connectivity once – hence the name 1NCE – into devices, we guarantee their functionality for their entire lifespan, whether that’s 10 years for a solar panel or three months for a disposable tracker.”

The company also supports the growing integration of AI into IoT solutions. Rook highlighted examples like AI-driven tools that predict battery life or monitor vehicle health to alert users before problems arise. “We’re empowering our customers to create innovative solutions that were unthinkable just a few years ago,” he said.

Building a global company from Miami has presented both opportunities and challenges. While the city’s international airport and attractive lifestyle make it appealing, Rook noted that the region still has room to grow its talent pool, particularly in technical fields. “Miami attracts talent, but we haven’t yet built the conveyor belt from universities to companies like we see in places like Riga, Latvia, where one of our largest development centers is located,” he said.

1NCE plans to continue expanding its Miami operations. The company is hiring locally and aims to deepen its roots in the U.S. while extending its reach into Latin America and Asia. According to Rook, a “double digit” number of 1NCE’s overall 350 employees is based in Miami.

“Our ambition is to double in size again next year,” Rook shared. The company is also preparing for an IPO within the next two years, underscoring its rapid growth and increasing market relevance.

Rook calls Miami his “campus,” a place where ideas flourish through collaboration and inspiration. The company frequently brings developers together in Miami to brainstorm new solutions. 

“It’s easy to invite 20 developers to Miami for a week, and the results are incredible,” he said. “The core of our company’s creativity and innovation is rooted here.”

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I am a Miami-based technology researcher and writer with a passion for sharing stories about the South Florida tech ecosystem. I particularly enjoy learning about GovTech startups, cutting-edge applications of artificial intelligence, and innovators that leverage technology to transform society for the better. Always open for pitches via Twitter @rileywk or www.RileyKaminer.com.

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