Sunny Sethi, the visionary behind HEN Technologies, is shaking up the firefighting sector, an industry that has remained largely stagnant since the 1960s. His company specializes in innovative fire nozzles that claim to enhance suppression rates by up to 300% while conserving 67% of water. However, Sethi’s ambitions extend far beyond just nozzles, signaling transformative opportunities in emergency response technology.
Sethi’s unconventional journey led him to firefighting. After earning his Ph.D. at the University of Akron, where he focused on surfaces and adhesion, he first founded ADAP Nanotech, which secured grants from the Air Force Research Laboratory for its carbon nanotube innovations. Subsequently, he contributed to groundbreaking material developments at SunPower and worked on advanced adhesive formulations at TE Connectivity for automotive applications.
His drive to revolutionize firefighting began during a personal crisis. In 2013, he and his family relocated to the East Bay near San Francisco. A few years later, they faced the devastating Thomas Fire, followed by other major fires. In 2019, a near-evacuation encounter sparked the realization that he needed to take action. “You need to fix this, otherwise you’re not a real scientist,” his wife urged him, propelling him into the firefighting industry.
In June 2020, Sethi launched HEN Technologies in Hayward, building on National Science Foundation funding. His strategic research in computational fluid dynamics led to the creation of a nozzle that optimally controls droplet size and velocity, resistant to wind disruption.
Comparative tests reveal a significant advantage: while traditional nozzles disperse water inefficiently, HEN’s products maintain a coherent stream. The nozzle is merely a starting point—HEN has expanded into various devices including monitors, valves, and pressure control systems, integrating smart technology powered by Nvidia Orion Nano processors across their products. With 20 patents filed and several granted, Sethi’s innovations are setting a new standard.
HEN’s advanced platform combines sensor technology with cloud capabilities, allowing precise monitoring of water usage during fire operations. This innovative approach can potentially alleviate historical water supply shortcomings faced by fire departments, optimizing resource distribution—a critical requirement highlighted during incidents such as the Palisades Fire.
The Department of Homeland Security is advocating for such data-driven technologies, underscoring the need for high-quality data to enable predictive analytics in emergency situations. As of now, HEN is not monetizing its data but is laying the groundwork for future commercialization of its intelligence tools.
Successfully navigating a complex B2B sales process has proved challenging yet rewarding. Since launching its initial products in early 2023, HEN quickly gained traction, generating $200,000 in revenue, which grew to $1.6 million in 2024 and soared to $5.2 million last year. The company currently serves 1,500 fire departments and anticipates reaching $20 million in revenue within the current year.
Despite growing competition from companies like IDEX Corp and software developers such as Central Square and First Due, Sethi asserts that HEN is uniquely positioned with its holistic approach. With a robust team that includes former employees from Adobe, NASA, and leading tech firms, Sethi credits his team’s expertise as a vital asset.
Beyond selling nozzles, HEN is accumulating valuable data concerning water dynamics under pressure and fire suppression techniques. This real-world data is crucial for advancements in AI and predictive modeling, making HEN a potential key player in this emerging market.
With $30 million in funding, including a recent $20 million Series A investment, HEN is poised for growth. Sethi plans to seek additional funding in the upcoming quarter, aiming to further leverage the company’s innovative potential in firefighting and emergency response systems.
