John Dolmetsch believed wireless connectivity would become a staple of modern life. He just didn’t expect it would happen so quickly.
“Literally, it’s an explosion,” said Dolmetsch, who in 1992 co-founded York-based IT firm Business Information Group, aka BIG, with his brother, Scott.
In a bid to take advantage of that growth, John Dolmetsch partnered this spring with a newly launched private equity firm to carve out BIG’s wireless division as a stand-alone company. It is called Wifinium.
“When somebody opens the floodgates, you need additional assistance at the executive and capital level, or you’re not going to succeed,” Dolmetsch said in an interview with biznewsPA.
Who’s investing: Initium Management.
The firm was founded by a trio of investment executives, including two with experience working at GE.
One of them, Kerem Bolukbasi, is serving as president of Wifinium. Dolmetsch is the CEO.
“John is a visionary leader in this space and he convinced us that there’s so much that can be done here,” Bolukbasi said in an interview. “He just needed a different set of partners to come in and help them take this company to the next level.”
BIG focuses on traditional networking needs for small and medium-sized businesses. The company also provides service around a specialty construction software program. Investors in BIG include two members of the Kinsley family, Dolmetsch said. They are not investors in Wifinium.
Bolukbasi, who also worked previously at investment firm TPG Capital, declined to disclose what Initium had invested in Wifinium.
However, Initium is also investing its operational expertise. The company’s other two partners are Varun Tejpal and Carter Venkat.
“We’re not just here to cut a check and show up once a quarter and beat him down on the numbers,” Bolukbasi said, adding: “We’re going to roll up our sleeves and be in the trenches with him.”
Where are the trenches: Wifinium handles large-scale wireless network installations, both indoors and outdoors, around the U.S.
Its team of 17 people designs, engineers and monitors the systems, while subcontractors do much of the installation work, Bolukbasi and Dolmetsch said.
Clients include Exelon, PPL and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
On Thursday last week, Dolmetsch was flying to Tampa to kick off work for another corporate client, Live Nation, which hired Wifinium to provide wireless connectivity at its concert venues. The federal lawsuit against Live Nation will not interfere with the work, Wifinium executives said.
Wifinium also is working with Comcast to set up wireless connections in more than 200 parks in Miam-Dade County in Florida.
In York County, Wifinium is involved in efforts to install wireless “smart city” systems in York and Hanover, Dolmetsch said.
Why is this happening: Dolmetsch argues that wireless connections have become as essential as electricity and other utility services.
“People are making their decisions where to live, where to work, where to travel through and where to go based upon how good the connectivity is,” Dolmetsch said. “We’re seeing that across the board.”
The future of technology — from the use of artificial intelligence to holographic images on our phones — depends on solid wireless connections, he said. “Without it, it’s like a house without a foundation. You can’t do it.”
At the same time, he said, few companies are in the business that Wifinium is pursuing.
If there is competition, it comes from small players that dabble in wireless infrastructure based primarily on client needs.
“This is all we do, and it’s all we’ve done for 20 years,” Dolmetsch said.
What’s next: Wifinium is aiming to triple its revenue over the next three years, according to Bolukbasi. He declined to discuss specific numbers.
The increase will come from organic growth but also from acquisitions, he said.
While the company is active in Pennsylvania, it sees opportunities in the Southeast, where the company could open satellite locations, he said.
However, Wifinium will remain headquartered in York, he said. “We have a huge presence in York, and I think that will never go away.”
The challenge, as in many industries, lies in finding people with the right skills for the work, he said. “I think it’s going to be a major war for talent.”
Dolmetsch, 61, said he planned to remain active in the business as long as he can. “I believe the whole work thing is exercise for your brain,” he said. “And I enjoy this industry. I really do.”
