Helium Foundation
Helium Foundation is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit steward of the Helium decentralized wireless network, administering governance, grants, and ecosystem support for the world's largest contiguous LoRaWAN IoT network and the Helium Mobile cellular network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Helium Foundation does
Helium Foundation is a US-based 501(c)(6) not-for-profit trade association established to steward the Helium Network, an open-source decentralized wireless platform built on blockchain-based tokenomics using the HNT token. The Foundation does not operate the network commercially; that role is held by Nova Labs (founded 2013), which runs Helium Mobile as a separate business unit. The Foundation's mandate covers governance administration, open-source protocol stewardship, ecosystem grants, education, and public advocacy for decentralized wireless (DeWi).
The Foundation anchors two core network products: the Helium IoT Network, described as the world's largest contiguous LoRaWAN wireless network connecting millions of sensors globally, and the Helium Mobile Network, a decentralized cellular network leveraging user-operated hotspots. Supporting infrastructure includes community-operated IoT and Mobile hotspots, Helium Improvement Proposals (HIPs) and Helium Vote for governance, a Network Explorer (world.helium.com), public documentation, and Messari-published quarterly protocol reports. Notable integrations include Deutsche Telekom's IoT Creators platform, Amazon Sidewalk via the Oxtech Module, SkyNet IoT maritime roaming, WeatherXM weather stations, and Qnectd and KitchenOS IoT deployments.
The Foundation's commercial activity is narrowly scoped to a membership dues program (Steering at $5,000/year, Advisory at $1,000/year, Enthusiast at $50/year) and a grants program that disburses up to $250,000 per project for native applications, strategic coverage, and network enablement, plus $500 content grants and documentation bounties. Headcount is small (1-10 employees) and no external funding rounds or revenue figures are disclosed. The Foundation is led by CEO Abhay Kumar and operates from San Francisco, with a global footprint claim restricted only by OFAC-sanctioned jurisdictions.
Helium Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Helium Foundation
- Legal name
- Helium Foundation
- Website
- https://helium.foundation
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Helium Foundation is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit steward of the Helium decentralized wireless network, administering governance, grants, and ecosystem support for the world's largest contiguous LoRaWAN IoT network and the Helium Mobile cellular network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Helium Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Decentralized Wireless Infrastructure
- NAICS
- Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (517112), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Satellite Network Operations & Capacity Services (NOC, Capacity Leasing, Managed Payload Services) (HDAIAJAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)
Keywords
Where Helium Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Helium Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: The Helium Foundation is a US-based 501(c)(6) not-for-profit trade association that collects membership dues from Steering, Advisory, and Enthusiast members to support Foundation operations, membership offerings, ecosystem stability, and public advocacy.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Steering Member - Top-tier strategic partner with full voting rights and governance influence |
| Subscription | Annual | Advisory Member - Organizations driving wireless peer-to-peer technologies to market |
| Subscription | Annual | Enthusiast Member - Passionate individuals and Helium hotspot super hosts |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Build Helium Native Applications - Up to $250,000 funding |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Content Grants - $500 for video content |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Helium Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Helium Foundation stewards the Helium Network, a decentralized wireless infrastructure platform consisting of the Helium IoT Network (the world's largest contiguous LoRaWAN wireless network) and the Helium Mobile Network (a decentralized cellular network). The Foundation supports ecosystem development through a grants program (up to $250,000 per project), a dues-based membership program, educational resources, and protocol governance via Helium Improvement Proposals, while the underlying network is powered by community-operated hotspots and HNT tokenomics.
Product overview
Helium Foundation operates the Helium Network, a decentralized wireless infrastructure platform comprising two core networks: the Helium Mobile Network (decentralized cellular network offering affordable, scalable coverage through user-operated hotspots) and the Helium IoT Network (the world's largest contiguous wireless network for IoT devices connecting millions of sensors globally). The platform is powered by the Helium Protocol with HNT token economics, community-operated hotspots (both Mobile and IoT variants), and governance through Helium Improvement Proposals (HIPs). The Foundation also supports ecosystem growth through a Grants Program (offering up to $250,000 for native applications and network coverage solutions) and provides developer tools including documentation, Network Explorer visualization, and Helium Vote for governance participation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Helium Mobile Network: A decentralized cellular network that delivers affordable and scalable coverage by leveraging a global network of user-operated hotspots.
- Helium IoT Network
Quantifiable outcome
- The world's largest contiguous wireless network for IoT devices
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Helium Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Helium Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
Helium Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- City of ValenciacoreThe City of Valencia invested in an IoT project powered by the Helium Network to combat energy poverty, deploying LoRaWAN sensors to gather real-time environmental data about vulnerable citizens' wellbeing.
- SwissBorgminorHelium's HNT Token was listed on SwissBorg, one of Europe's prominent cryptocurrency platforms, expanding trading access for the Helium community.
- GeminiminorHelium's HNT Token was listed on Gemini, a leading crypto exchange and custodian, providing expanded trading and custody options.
- Deutsche TelekomcoreDeutsche Telekom's IoT Creators collaborated with the Helium Foundation to accelerate IoT development. The partnership integrated Helium LoRaWAN Network Server into Deutsche Telekom's IoT platform, simplifying smart-device management and encouraging users to onboard and manage devices on the Helium Network.
- Oxit (Oxtech Module)coreThe Helium Foundation partnered with Oxit to create Oxtech Module, enabling IoT devices to connect to both the Helium Network and Amazon Sidewalk, unlocking unprecedented connectivity worldwide through a roaming integration.
- Nova LabscoreNova Labs, founded in 2013, is the pioneer in decentralized wireless communications and the founding team behind the Helium Network. Nova Labs operates Helium Mobile with a mission to solve connectivity fragmentation. Nova Labs serves as a Steering Member of the Foundation.
- UPLINK NetworkminorNetwork operator of critical and decentralized radio technology in Germany and one of the fastest growing telecommunication companies in Europe. Serves as an Advisory Member.
- LongFi SolutionsminorDeploys decentralized infrastructure at scale to enable low-cost, last-mile connectivity. Advisory Member of the Foundation.
- Helium Deployminor5G deployment partner for Helium mining success. Advisory Member of the Foundation.
- Mycelium NetworksminorOperates the first real-world testing ground for every DePIN project. Incubate, accelerate, and showcase DePIN technologies. Advisory Member.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Helium Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Actility: Actility provides LoRaWAN network server infrastructure and operates carrier-grade IoT connectivity platforms globally. Directly comparable as a LoRaWAN ecosystem enabler providing the back-end technology for IoT networks similar to Helium's LoRaWAN Network Server.
- Senet: Senet operates one of the largest LoRaWAN network footprints in North America, providing managed IoT connectivity for asset tracking, utilities, and smart buildings. Directly comparable as a LoRaWAN network operator serving the same enterprise IoT buyer.
- Everynet: Everynet operates national LoRaWAN networks across multiple countries using a neutral-host model similar in spirit to Helium's community-driven deployment. Directly comparable as a LoRaWAN connectivity provider targeting enterprise and carrier IoT customers.
- Sigfox: Sigfox operates a global low-power wide-area network for IoT devices using its own proprietary protocol. Directly comparable as an IoT-focused wireless network operator targeting asset tracking, smart cities, and industrial connectivity use cases overlapping with Helium's IoT Network.
- Nova Labs (Helium Mobile): Nova Labs is the founding team behind the Helium Network and operates Helium Mobile, the for-profit cellular counterpart to the Foundation's nonprofit stewardship. Directly comparable as both steward and operator of the same decentralized wireless infrastructure.
- Pollen Mobile: Pollen Mobile is a decentralized cellular network that uses token incentives and user-operated hotspots to provide 4G/5G coverage, paralleling Helium Mobile's model. Directly comparable as a decentralized wireless network targeting mobile coverage with token-based incentives.
Emerging players
- IoTeX: IoTeX is a blockchain platform purpose-built for IoT devices with its own machine-backed tokenomics, partially overlapping with Helium's blockchain-powered IoT connectivity model. Comparable as an emerging decentralized IoT infrastructure play.
- Chirp (formerly FOAM): Chirp is a decentralized wireless network focused on proving location and providing connectivity via community hotspots, with token incentives for participation. Comparable as an emerging decentralized wireless player with overlapping tokenomics and infrastructure-sharing model.
Others
- Decentralized Wireless Alliance: The Decentralized Wireless Alliance is an industry advocacy organization supporting decentralized wireless networks, with which Helium Foundation partners on grants and content. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem organization promoting the DeWi category.
Broad incumbents
- Amazon Sidewalk: Amazon Sidewalk is a broad, incumbent low-power IoT network leveraging Echo and Ring devices for community coverage. Comparable as a large-scale IoT connectivity platform with roaming integration (via Oxtech Module) into Helium's network.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Helium Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceHelium Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Helium Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Helium Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Helium Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Helium Foundation
What does Helium Foundation do?
Helium Foundation stewards the Helium Network, a decentralized wireless infrastructure platform consisting of the Helium IoT Network (the world's largest contiguous LoRaWAN wireless network) and the Helium Mobile Network (a decentralized cellular network). The Foundation supports ecosystem development through a grants program (up to $250,000 per project), a dues-based membership program, educational resources, and protocol governance via Helium Improvement Proposals, while the underlying network is powered by community-operated hotspots and HNT tokenomics.
Is Helium Foundation a public or private company?
Helium Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Helium Foundation founded?
Helium Foundation was founded in 2013. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Helium Foundation based?
Helium Foundation is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Helium Foundation make money?
One revenue line is on record: membership Dues.
Who are Helium Foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Actility, Senet, Everynet, Sigfox, Nova Labs (Helium Mobile) and Pollen Mobile. Emerging players are IoTeX and Chirp (formerly FOAM). Decentralized Wireless Alliance is listed as an others. Amazon Sidewalk is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Helium Foundation have an API?
Yes. Public documentation available at docs.helium.com covering the Helium Protocol, token economics (HNT token), and LoRaWAN Network Server integration. GitHub repositories available at github.com/helium for open-source contributions. Developer documentation is at docs.helium.com.
What industry is Helium Foundation in?
Helium Foundation's product category is Decentralized Wireless Infrastructure. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIAJAI, Satellite Network Operations & Capacity Services (NOC, Capacity Leasing, Managed Payload Services), with a secondary code of BPAGAKAH, International Grantmaking & Development Foundations. Its NAICS code is 517112.