Young Innovator Secures $1.5M to Launch Sustainable IoT Mesh Network

Jason Chao, the 16‑year‑old founder of Orbis Mesh, has attracted $1.5 million (€1.3 million) in funding for a mesh‑network platform that prioritises sustainability. In an exclusive interview with IoT Now’s Jeremy Cowan, Chao explains how a fascination with natural self‑organising systems led him to pioneer a new industrial application for mesh networking.

Why Mesh Networks?

IoT Now: What sparked your interest in mesh networking, and why launch Orbis Mesh at such a young age?

Jason Chao: I first learned about the Bluetooth Mesh Working Group in 2016. From that point, I began mapping the self‑organising principles of nature—planetary orbits, ant colonies, traffic flows—to mesh networking’s ability to self‑configure and self‑heal. The technology’s scalability and resilience felt like a natural fit for the sustainability challenges I care about.

What Makes Orbis Mesh Different?

IoT Now: Mesh networks aren’t new. What sets Orbis Mesh apart?

Jason Chao: Our portfolio is deliberately built around sustainability and social impact. We partner with non‑profits and universities to deliver solutions that align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, such as precision agriculture. Unlike traditional IoT deployments, we bring mesh to sectors that previously had no mesh solutions—agriculture, irrigation, and solar lighting—using unlicensed spectrum for a low‑cost, easy‑to‑configure network that extends RF range through daisy‑chaining and reduces power consumption per radio.

Funding & Investor Confidence

IoT Now: Was it difficult to convince investors to back a company founded by a 16‑year‑old?

Jason Chao: Funding challenges exist regardless of age. The key was a solid business plan that shifted the conversation from my age to scalability, operating costs, and revenue streams. Surrounding myself with experienced mentors and learning from proven industry professionals helped us gain investor confidence.

Academic Partnerships

IoT Now: How have your collaborations with universities shaped Orbis Mesh?

Jason Chao: Working with two universities lets us refine product capabilities through real‑world testing—outdoor packaging, sensor interfacing, and performance metrics. It also validates our business model, demonstrating cost savings, performance gains, and revenue uplift for clients—all while supporting UN sustainability goals.

Commercial Rollout

IoT Now: When and where will you see the first commercial deployments?

Jason Chao: We anticipate commercial sales within the next six months, most likely in the agricultural irrigation market.

Team Expansion

IoT Now: What impact has hiring Gerry Wight had, and how many staff does the company now have?

Jason Chao: Gerry’s extensive wireless industry experience clarified our product differentiation and helped us build sales channels. His network has opened doors to new verticals and key clients, especially in Vancouver. Orbis Mesh now employs four staff members.

Personal Development & Next Projects

IoT Now: How has this venture affected your studies, and what’s next for you?

Jason Chao: After balancing high school with Orbis Mesh, I graduated a year early to focus on the business, planning to pursue university studies in fall 2020. I continue learning through online courses and certifications from PMI and Oracle. My next commercial focus is designing an IoT device management and data analysis platform.