Aztek Networks

In the world of telecommunications infrastructure, the playbook often involves finding a critical niche and executing. This is the story of Aztek Networks. Founded in 1982 as Aztek Engineering, the Boulder, Colorado-based company identified a crucial problem for telecom service providers: the costly maintenance of older, legacy voice switches. The company developed a solution to consolidate these legacy systems, allowing providers to cut operating costs while simultaneously creating a path to modern IP broadband networks. Their key product, the 5000-series, essentially acted as a bridge, helping to modernize the TDM core networks to IP without disrupting service for customers in the "last mile" of the network. Under the leadership of CEO Steven M. Bruny, Aztek Networks attracted significant investment from venture capital firms, including Verizon's venture arm, raising over $33 million to fuel its growth. This capital allowed them to refine their technology and solidify their position in the market. The pivotal moment in the Aztek story came in April 2012, when the company was acquired by GENBAND, a major player in IP infrastructure solutions. The acquisition was a strategic move for GENBAND, giving them Aztek's technology and talent to enhance their own network transformation portfolio. Aztek's products were integrated into GENBAND's offerings, providing a more complete, end-to-end solution for service providers moving from legacy systems to the cloud.