Startups > Density

Density

Density helps enterprises optimize physical spaces through real-time, privacy-first occupancy intelligence.

Series D $225M total Founded 2014 San Francisco, California

Density uses proprietary depth sensors and AI-powered algorithms to anonymously count people in real-time across physical spaces. The platform helps organizations optimize building utilization, improve workplace efficiency, and enhance occupant experience without capturing personally identifiable information. Unlike camera-based solutions, Density's infrared depth sensing technology delivers 99% accuracy while maintaining privacy, making it the standard for workplace and real estate analytics.

Problem solved

Organizations lack accurate, privacy-preserving visibility into how physical spaces are actually used, leading to inefficient real estate spending, poor workplace planning, and inability to optimize facility operations.

Target customer

Enterprise real estate and facilities teams at Fortune 500 companies, hospitality chains, universities, and large commercial property owners managing 100K+ square feet of space.

Website LinkedIn Crunchbase

Founders

Andrew Farah

CEO

Conceived Density technology while in graduate school at Syracuse University; previously worked at mobile app development startup.

Jordan Messina

Co-Founder

Steven VonDeak

Co-Founder

Former Partner at AppFury.

Funding history

Seed $200K May 22, 2015 Led by Unknown · Unknown

Series A Unknown 2016 Led by Unknown · Upfront Ventures

Series B Unknown June 30, 2018 Led by Founders Fund · Unknown

Series C $51M July 2020 Led by Kleiner Perkins · 01 Advisors

Series C Extension $25M April 2021 Led by Existing Investors · Unknown

Series D $125M November 10, 2021 Led by Kleiner Perkins, Altimeter Capital · Upfront Ventures, Founders Fund, 01 Advisors

Total raised: $225M

Industries

Analytics Electronics Sensor Test and Measurement

Pricing

Hardware-based with SaaS subscription. Historically $895 one-time installation + $800 per sensor per year (2020 pricing). Current enterprise pricing: ~$100-300 per unit hardware cost plus $5-15 per desk per month SaaS subscription.

Notable customers

Uber, Pinterest, Shopify, Okta, Marriott, University of Notre Dame, major US airline, major e-commerce company

Integrations

Slack, Robin, Envoy, Tableau, and robust APIs for custom integrations

Website

density.io/

Competitors

VergeSense

Also focuses on occupancy intelligence for commercial real estate and workplace experience, but uses different sensor technology.

Butlr

Competes in occupancy sensing space but lacks Density's enterprise scale and integration ecosystem.

Occuspace

Privacy-focused occupancy platform but smaller customer base and limited enterprise features.

Avigilon

Broader physical security and surveillance focus; Density is specialized for occupancy analytics only.

Verkada

Offers broader building security and management; Density's advantage is specialized privacy-first occupancy intelligence.

Why this matters: Density is a well-funded ($225M) unicorn that pioneered privacy-first occupancy intelligence and now powers workplace optimization across 1B+ square feet globally. The 2024 launch of Waffle (self-installable radar sensor) and recent acquisitions signal aggressive expansion into workplace technology, making it a category leader in the post-hybrid work era.

Best for: Large enterprises, hospitality operators, and real estate owners who need accurate occupancy data to optimize space utilization, reduce real estate costs, and improve workplace planning without compromising employee privacy.

Use cases

Enterprise Real Estate Cost Optimization

A major e-commerce company used Density sensors to understand true space utilization patterns and safely increased office capacity by 18%, saving over $1M annually. The data-driven approach gave executives confidence in occupancy trends across multiple locations.

Hospitality Service Personalization

Marriott installed Density in fitness centers and premium lounges to anticipate guest needs and optimize staffing. Real-time occupancy counts enable proactive service delivery and better resource allocation without traditional cameras.

Workplace Flexibility Planning

Large enterprises use Density to validate return-to-office strategies and optimize hybrid work space allocation. Organizations can understand peak usage patterns, desk-to-employee ratios, and right-size their portfolio with confidence.

Premium Service Restoration

A major US airline restored premium lounge service by using Density occupancy sensors to manage capacity and staffing levels, improving customer experience without manual counting.

Alternatives

InnerSpace Technology Uses Wi-Fi infrastructure for occupancy detection; Density offers dedicated hardware with higher accuracy.

Locatee Workplace analytics platform with broader features; Density focuses specifically on occupancy counting with superior accuracy.

Pelco Security camera-focused solution; Density differentiates as privacy-first without storing images or PII.

FAQ

What does Density do? +

Density uses proprietary depth sensors and AI algorithms to anonymously count people in real-time across physical spaces like offices, hotels, and retail locations. The platform helps organizations understand space utilization, optimize real estate costs, and improve facility planning—all without capturing cameras or personally identifiable information. Data is accessible via API integrations with tools like Slack, Tableau, and custom applications.

How much does Density cost? +

Density uses a hardware + SaaS model. Hardware costs approximately $100-300 per sensor unit, with an annual SaaS subscription of roughly $5-15 per desk per month depending on volume and enterprise agreements. Custom enterprise pricing available for large deployments.

What are alternatives to Density? +

VergeSense offers occupancy intelligence focused on commercial real estate; InnerSpace Technology uses Wi-Fi-based detection; Butlr and Occuspace also provide privacy-focused occupancy sensing. VergeSense is most comparable but Density has superior enterprise support and integrations.

Who uses Density? +

Enterprise customers include Uber, Pinterest, Shopify, Okta, Marriott, and major US airlines and e-commerce companies. Target customers are large enterprises, hospitality chains, universities, and commercial real estate owners managing significant square footage across multiple locations.

How does Density compare to camera-based occupancy systems? +

Density uses infrared depth sensors that don't store images or capture personal data, offering 99% accuracy without privacy concerns. Camera-based systems like Avigilon or Verkada face regulatory and employee privacy challenges. Density's approach aligns with modern privacy requirements like GDPR and state privacy laws.