**The Unlikely Innovator Behind Firefighting’s Next Frontier**
When Sunny Sethi’s wife, fed up with the chaos of wildfires in their Bay Area neighborhood, told him to “fix this” or else, he knew it was time to put his diverse research background to work. That challenge sparked the creation of HEN Technologies, a company revolutionizing firefighting with high-efficiency nozzles that boost suppression rates by up to 300% while saving 67% of water.
Sethi’s winding path to this moment involved stints in nanotechnology, solar energy, semiconductors, and even automotive manufacturing. After earning his PhD in surfaces and adhesion from the University of Akron, he co-founded ADAP Nanotech, developed new materials at SunPower, and worked on adhesive formulations at TE Connectivity. His thinking, as he describes it, was “bias-free and versatile,” allowing him to tackle the complex problem of firefighting.
The breakthrough came when Sethi founded HEN Technologies in Hayward, California, using National Science Foundation funding for computational fluid dynamics research. His team developed a nozzle that controls droplet size, manages velocity, and resists wind, but the real game-changer is the system that connects these devices. HEN’s platform uses sensors and computing power to monitor water usage, pressure, and weather conditions, providing critical insights to fire departments.
The impact is twofold. HEN’s innovative products can help prevent the most catastrophic consequences of wildfires, such as running out of water. By combining data from various sources, fire departments can optimize resource allocation, ensuring that the right equipment is in the right place. This not only saves lives but also reduces the destruction and expense of these devastating events.
To establish HEN’s platform, Sethi assembled a team of experts from top companies like Adobe, NASA, and Tesla. His software lead was instrumental in building Adobe’s cloud infrastructure, while other team members brought experience from Microsoft and Apple. The result is a platform that not only delivers remarkable products but also generates valuable, real-world data for companies building AI systems.
Hen’s dual purpose – to revolutionize firefighting and collect valuable data – has created a unique challenge in scaling. However, the traction is undeniable. HEN has certified distributors in 22 countries, works with the Marine Corps, and has recently qualified for the General Services Administration (GSA) after a year-long vetting process.
The company’s growth has been explosive, with $1.6 million in revenue in 2024 and an expected $20 million this year. With a Series A round of $20 million and a total funding of over $30 million, HEN Technologies is well-positioned to tackle the complex problem of wildfires and beyond.
The company’s impact extends beyond firefighting, providing real-world data for companies building predictive models and AI systems. This data is a valuable asset, and Sethi acknowledges the opportunity, but for now, HEN’s focus remains on delivering innovative products and saving lives.
As the world watches, HEN Technologies is poised to revolutionize the firefighting industry and create a new standard for emergency response. With its groundbreaking nozzles and comprehensive platform, HEN is already making a difference, and its impact will only continue to grow in the years to come.
**This article is part of a series on founders who have cracked complex markets and are scaling for growth.**
