3ware

In 1997, as the internet boom was reshaping the data landscape, 3ware was founded to address a growing problem: the need for high-capacity, affordable data storage. The company focused on RAID controllers, which allow multiple hard drives to work together as a single unit, providing speed and data protection. They pioneered solutions using low-cost ATA and Serial ATA (SATA) drives, making enterprise-class storage accessible to a wider market. Their key innovation was the StorSwitch architecture, a technology that applied packet-switching concepts from networking to storage controllers. This design eliminated performance bottlenecks common in traditional storage setups. The company's leadership, including CEO Faye Pairman, steered 3ware as it gained traction, particularly for applications like disk-to-disk backup and video storage. The company's success attracted significant investment from firms like New Enterprise Associates and VantagePoint Venture Partners. This culminated in a major event in March 2004, when Applied Micro Circuits Corp. (AMCC) acquired 3ware for approximately $150 million. The acquisition was part of AMCC's strategy to expand its presence in the storage market. The 3ware brand continued under AMCC and was later sold to LSI Corporation in 2009, cementing its legacy as an influential player in RAID controller technology.