This founder cracked firefighting — now he’s creating an AI gold mine

Sunny Sethi, the visionary behind HEN Technologies, is not your typical entrepreneur. His company has innovated fire nozzles that can enhance suppression rates by up to 300% while conserving 67% of water. However, Sethi’s ambition stretches far beyond just revolutionizing firefighting equipment. Sethi's journey into the firefighting realm is anything but conventional. After earning his PhD at the University of Akron, where he studied surfaces and adhesion, he launched a nanotechnology firm called ADAP Nanotech, which gained recognition through grants from the Air Force Research Lab. His career then took him to SunPower, where he focused on new materials for solar technology, followed by a stint at TE Connectivity, where he developed advanced adhesive formulations for the automotive sector. The turning point came when Sethi and his family relocated from Ohio to the East Bay near San Francisco in 2013. After experiencing a series of devastating wildfires, including the Thomas and Camp Fires, he faced a personal crisis during the 2019 evacuation warnings while away from home. His wife urged him to leverage his scientific expertise to tackle this pressing issue. Motivated by these challenges, Sethi founded HEN Technologies in June 2020. With funding from the National Science Foundation, Sethi embarked on groundbreaking research in computational fluid dynamics, leading to the development of a nozzle that precisely controls droplet size and velocity, even in windy conditions. This innovation has since evolved into a broader range of products, including monitors, valves, and overhead sprinklers, with plans for the launch of a flow-control device named “Stream IQ.” HEN's technology integrates advanced sensors and computing power into its devices, transforming traditional hardware into smart, connected systems. Each component is equipped with custom-designed circuit boards, some powered by Nvidia processors. With 20 patent applications filed, HEN is shaping a new approach to firefighting data management. One of the critical innovations is HEN’s platform, which uses real-time data from pumps to optimize firefighting efforts. This system tracks water usage during incidents, providing vital information to prevent situations where fire departments run low on resources. Such scenarios have historically contributed to devastating outcomes in past fires. To enhance operational efficiency, HEN has developed a cloud platform with features tailored for fire departments, incorporating weather data and GPS capabilities. This platform alerts personnel about changing conditions, such as shifting winds that could impact their operations. The Department of Homeland Security has expressed interest in such systems, recognizing the need for quality data to facilitate predictive analytics in emergency management. Currently, HEN is focused on establishing a robust data pipeline without monetizing the data yet, but plans to commercialize its application layer next year. Sethi acknowledges the challenges of navigating a market that requires convincing both end-users and government entities to adopt new technologies. HEN's early market entry has shown promise, with the company generating $200,000 in revenue from 10 fire departments shortly after launching its products. As word spread, revenue soared to $1.6 million in 2024 and $5.2 million in the following year. With 1,500 fire department clients, HEN expects to reach $20 million in revenue this year. While competition exists, including companies like IDEX Corp and software providers such as Central Square, Sethi believes HEN's unique approach sets it apart. The company has gained traction with various military and government clients, including the Marine Corps and NASA, and is pursuing recurring revenue through ongoing contracts. HEN's team comprises seasoned professionals from leading tech firms, including a software lead with a history at Adobe. As the company continues to develop its data capabilities, it is also exploring how the rich datasets it gathers could benefit AI systems that require real-world data to simulate physical environments. With recent funding of $20 million in a Series A round and an additional $2 million in venture debt, Sethi is already planning for the next phase of growth as HEN Technologies positions itself at the intersection of firefighting and advanced AI applications.