Firstech

What Firstech does

Firstech, LLC. is a privately held connected car technology company founded in 1995 by Jason Lee in Anchorage, Alaska and headquartered in Kent, Washington. The company designs, manufactures, and distributes aftermarket vehicle remote start, security, telematics, and dash camera solutions under multiple brands including Compustar, Arctic Start, DroneMobile, Momento, FTX, and NuStart. Its product portfolio combines LTE, GPS, Wi-Fi, and RF communication modules, proprietary vehicle data bus integration technology, and a unified smartphone platform (DroneMobile) that enables remote engine start/stop, GPS tracking, security alerts, and key management. Firstech holds over 90 patents covering data bus disruptors, multi-vehicle compatible control systems, key lockers, and tracker notification systems, and has been recognized with six CES Innovation Awards and seven Mobile Electronics Top Vendor awards.

The company's revenue model is a hybrid of hardware sales (remote starters, alarm systems, GPS trackers, dash cameras, telematics modules sold at roughly $149.99 MSRP for newer devices) and recurring subscription revenue from the DroneMobile telematics platform (plans starting at $11.99/month, with multi-vehicle discounts and dealer revenue share). Firstech distributes exclusively through over 2,000 authorized 12-volt retailers across North America, supported by a Texas distribution facility, regional manufacturers' rep firms (e.g., Momentum Marketing in the TOLA region), a certified installer training program (myFirstech Academy), and consumer-facing brand websites with dealer locator tools. Customer segments span individual vehicle owners (primary), commercial fleet operators (growing via the Fleet Certified Dealer program launched in 2025), automotive dealerships and expeditors (via the FTX product line), and the authorized installer channel itself. Solutions are reported to have been installed in over 5 million vehicles cumulatively.

Name

Firstech

Legal name

Firstech, LLC.

Website

https://firstechllc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Firstech is a privately held connected car technology company that designs and distributes aftermarket vehicle remote start, security, telematics, and dash camera solutions through 2,000+ authorized retailers across North America under brands including Compustar, DroneMobile, and Momento.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aftermarket Automotive Electronics

NAICS

Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing (33429), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345)

SIC

Electronic Components & Accessories (3670), Computer Communications Equipment (3576)

akta.pro primary industry

Automotive Infotainment, Telematics & Connectivity Hardware Manufacturing (TCU/V2X/GNSS) (IMACAJAH)

Keywords

• Aftermarket automotive electronics
• Vehicle remote start systems
• Connected car telematics
• Vehicle GPS tracking
• Automotive dash cameras

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Hardware Product Sales: Sale of remote starters, security systems, GPS trackers, dash cameras, and telematics modules to authorized retailers. Products include Compustar, Arctic Start, DroneMobile, Momento, FTX, and NuStart brands.
2. Subscription Services (DroneMobile): Recurring monthly/annual subscriptions for LTE telematics and GPS tracking functionality. Plans start at $11.99/month with prepaid discounts available. Multi-vehicle discounts (10% off) for accounts with 10+ vehicles.
3. Recurring Monthly Revenue from Dealers: Dealers receive monthly payouts for each DroneMobile device sold and installed for as long as it remains active.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Firstech designs, manufactures, and distributes aftermarket connected car hardware and telematics solutions including remote starters, vehicle security systems, GPS trackers, dash cameras, and LTE telematics modules. The company sells its products through sub-brands (Compustar, Arctic Start, DroneMobile, Momento, FTX, NuStart) via a network of 2,000+ authorized retail installers across North America, with the DroneMobile platform providing subscription-based smartphone control, GPS tracking, and security monitoring.

Product overview

Firstech is a connected car technology company offering a portfolio of vehicle remote start, security, and telematics solutions across multiple brands. The core product lines include Compustar and Arctic Start (remote starters and alarms), DroneMobile (telematics and smartphone control), and Momento/Drone XC (dash cameras). The ecosystem is unified through the DroneMobile platform which provides GPS tracking, security alerts, and remote vehicle control via LTE, integrating with Compustar security systems. Add-on modules include Drone XT (standalone GPS tracker), Drone X2MAX-LTE (advanced telematics), Drone XC (LTE-connected dash cam), KeyLocker (car sharing key management), and FTX DC4000 (dealership-specific 4K dash cam). The myFirstech app serves as the technician/install portal for product support and integration assistance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Compustar: Award-winning remote car starters and car alarms - Firstech's core flagship brand offering premium aftermarket solutions for remote start and security.
• Arctic Start
• DroneMobile
• Momento
• FTX
• NuStart
• DroneFleet
• Drone XC

Products and services

• Compustar Firstech's flagship brand of award-winning aftermarket remote car starters and car alarms, providing climate control, security monitoring, and vehicle control via long-range remotes and smartphone integration for individual vehicle owners.
• Arctic Start Premium remote car starters and alarms engineered specifically for cold-weather performance, designed to operate reliably in extreme low-temperature conditions for vehicle owners in northern climates.
• NuStart
• FTX
• DroneMobile Award-winning smartphone app and telematics platform providing vehicle control, GPS tracking, security alerts, and remote start from anywhere via LTE connectivity. Integrates with Compustar security systems, supports subscription plans starting at $5.99/month, and includes fleet management capabilities for commercial operators.
• Drone XT GPS Tracker Standalone battery-powered wireless magnetic GPS tracker with LTE Cat M1 connectivity, IP67 water resistance, 2200mAh USB-C rechargeable battery (3-6 week default life, 6-10 months in deep-sleep), movement and environmental sensors. Designed for long-term monitoring of vehicles, trailers, boats, and assets. MSRP $149.99 with free 30-day trial. Managed via DroneMobile app.
• Drone X2MAX-LTE All-in-one LTE and GPS telematics device providing advanced vehicle health monitoring via CAN bus (fuel level, tire pressure, DTCs, odometer), real-time tracking, and integration with Compustar remote start/alarm systems. Ships with both hardwire and OBD-II installation options. MSRP $149.99 with free 30-day DroneMobile Premium trial.
• Drone XC Dash Camera LTE-connected dash camera combining DroneMobile telematics with dash camera functionality. Features live video streaming, parking mode, impact/motion-triggered recording, and integration with Compustar security systems. Supports front, rear, and interior camera configurations.
• Momento Dash Cameras Brand of in-vehicle dash cameras including M4, M5, M6, M7, and M8 models with front, rear, and interior recording options. Features include parking mode, Wi-Fi connectivity, Sony image sensors, GPS tracking, smartphone app integration, and resolutions from FHD up to 4K (M8).
• FTX DC4000 Dash Camera 4K Ultra HD dash camera with Sony image sensor designed specifically for automotive dealerships. Features dealership-exclusive branding (no retail competition), plug-and-play OBD-II or hardwired installation, smartphone app for video management, and 3-year warranty.
• KeyLocker (KL1)
• DroneFleet Fleet-focused telematics solution under the DroneMobile brand providing fleet management capabilities, commercial tracking programs, vehicle health monitoring, driver behavior monitoring, and dedicated fleet dealer certification for commercial fleet operators.

Quantifiable outcome

• Solutions installed in over 5 million vehicles
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Momentum MarketingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 9 June 2025Strategic partnership with manufacturers' representative firm to spearhead Firstech's sales and marketing efforts across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana (TOLA) region. Deep regional expertise and strong relationships with 12-volt retailers.
• iDatalinkcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for vehicle-specific remote start integration technologies. iDatalink provides data integration solutions that streamline aftermarket remote start installation.
• iDatalink MaestrocoreTechnology or IntegrationSeamless integration solutions for aftermarket audio, ranging from radio replacement interfaces to OEM-fit dash kits.
• Miller WeldsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry-leading maker of welder generators now offering Firstech remote starters as an accessory, reaching into the construction/industrial market.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Fortin EVO: Fortin EVO-ONE and EVO-ALL are flagship bypass and data bus integration modules that compete head-to-head with Firstech's patented data bus technology. Both serve the same installer channel and are evaluated together on vehicle compatibility tables.
• Spireon: Spireon (GoldStar, LoJack, FleetLocate) provides GPS vehicle and asset tracking, theft recovery, and dealer lot management — directly overlapping with Drone XT, Drone X2MAX-LTE, and FTX DC4000. It is a closer mid-market comparable for asset and dealer-channel telematics.
• Directed Electronics (Viper / Python / Clifford): Directed's Viper, Python, and Clifford brands are the most direct competitors to Compustar in aftermarket remote start, car security, and one-way/two-way remote systems. Both companies sell through the same 12-volt dealer channel and compete on integration breadth, range, and smartphone control.

Broad incumbents

• Geotab: Geotab is the largest pure-play fleet telematics platform, providing GPS tracking, driver behavior, and vehicle health data — the same use cases Firstech addresses with DroneMobile Fleet. It is a scaled incumbent whose capabilities Firstech will compete against for commercial fleet customers.
• Garmin: Garmin's dash cam and GPS product lines overlap with Firstech's Momento brand and Drone XT asset tracking. As a much larger consumer electronics incumbent, Garmin is the comparable benchmark for premium dash cam hardware and GPS modules.
• Samsara: Samsara is a connected operations platform with significant fleet telematics and dash cam overlap to DroneMobile, DroneFleet, and Momento. As a well-capitalized public company, Samsara represents the software-led competitor benchmark that Firstech's fleet ambitions are measured against.
• VOXX International (formerly Audiovox): VOXX is a publicly traded aftermarket automotive electronics company whose Prestige, Code Alarm, and Pursuit brands directly overlap with Compustar and Arctic Start. As a much larger incumbent with broader consumer electronics exposure, VOXX is the most established comparable in the same category.

Emerging players

• Automotive Data Solutions (ADS): ADS-iDatalink and iDatalink Maestro provide vehicle-specific bypass and integration modules similar to Firstech's offerings. ADS competes in the same installer channel and is frequently evaluated alongside Firstech on the same vehicle compatibility lists.
• iDatalink (AudioControl): iDatalink is both a Firstech integration partner and a competing vehicle-specific data bus and radio replacement module provider. Its Maestro platform overlaps with Firstech's data bus technology, making it an emerging direct competitor in the installer ecosystem.

Regional players

• Scorpion Automotive: Scorpion Automotive is a UK-based aftermarket vehicle security and tracking manufacturer whose S5 and S7 categories map closely to Compustar's security and DroneMobile's tracking. It is comparable as a regional aftermarket security specialist, though geographically non-overlapping with Firstech's North American base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/compustaronline
• YouTubeyoutube.com/myfirstech
• Facebookfacebook.com/161864617175896
• Instagraminstagram.com/compustaronline

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Firstech