GL.iNet & CSG Launch KATALYST for SMB Connectivity in 2025
Richmond, VA & Shenzhen, China – January 2, 2025 – Leadership from Richmond, Virginia-based channel leader Connected Solutions Group (CSG) and China-based telecommunications manufacturer GL.iNet have announced an exciting joint venture to introduce KATALYST, a bold new brand of connectivity products designed specifically for small businesses in North America.
The new entity, Bolt Brands, LLC, a Delaware-based corporation, will focus on carrier-agnostic connectivity solutions built for small business customers, emphasizing ease-of-use, innovative design, and unparalleled customer support. KATALYST is set to begin marketing products in 2025, with long-term plans to establish a dedicated factory presence in the United States. This new entity runs completely separate from CSG and Gli-Net, and both core organizations will continue to drive their current respective markets.
“To say we are excited is a severe understatement,” CSG CEO Michael Pittman shared. “The knowledge we have amassed with actual hands on experience with thousands of SMB customers introducing them to fixed wireless access puts our product developers in such a unique position to truly understand what the customer desires,” he said. “To have a factory partner who has the forethought and genuine desire to create real value from that feedback has been frankly transformational in how we view hardware and the ultimate customer experience. While the hardware has to work and have features catered directly to business, the implementation experience and real-time support is truly what will separate the KATALYST brand in our targeted segments.”
Bringing two decades of product development expertise to the partnership, Jianyi Zhao, President and CEO of GL.iNet, shared his vision for KATALYST:
“Our partners have proven to have a wealth of knowledge in what business customers expect in North America, and we have greatly enjoyed the team-approach in catering to these needs,” Mr. Zhao commented. “By aligning our quality products with their marketing vision and customer-first model – we are confident we can deliver something special.”
A Bold and Clear Brand Vision
KATALYST’s branding will prioritize clarity, simplicity, and a customer-first approach. Unlike traditional tech brands, KATALYST aims to connect directly with small business owners by addressing their real-world challenges and providing practical solutions.
“I have no doubt that our messaging will resonate strong with our customers,” Pittman continued. “This will not be your run-of-the-mill tech stack presentation in suits and ties and slide presentations,” he commented. We are going to meet the customer where they truly are, working their tails off to meet their payroll, and our messaging will be so clear and simple and different. The products will reflect that ease of use.”
Future Plans: A U.S.-Based Manufacturing Facility
The ultimate goal of an actual factory presence could begin as early as late 2025.
“We are in advanced discovery processes to bringing a physical factory presence to the USA which will be a dream come true for us,” Zhao stated. “Our current factory presence includes options outside of mainland China and we are expanding them rapidly, while fine-tuning our processes and automation to be most efficient for our eventual American facility – and bring jobs with us.”
Product Launch and Distribution
KATALYST will debut with 5G and LTE fixed wireless access products and plans to expand into WiFi solutions and a broad range of business IT hardware products. Distribution partners are currently being added.
“We hold a very special place in our heart for small business, and we understand their plight,” Pittman concluded. “Our brand and products will offer value and experience that will be hard to match.”
“We will make products that work great and are simple to use,” Zhao added. “The marketing and distribution knowledge that our American partners possess, along with the desire to hand-hold the customer through the process will make the KATALYST brand special.”
Media contact
For media inquiries, please contact at marketing@gl-inet.com.
About Us
About KATALYST:KATALYST, a brand of Bolt Brands, LLC, is dedicated to delivering carrier-agnostic, customer-focused connectivity solutions designed for small businesses across North America.
About Connected Solutions Group (CSG):CSG is a Richmond, VA-based channel leader specializing in connectivity solutions for SMBs, offering unparalleled expertise and customer support.
About GL.iNet
GL.iNet builds network hardware and software solutions that bring affordable and secure network connectivity to families and businesses all over the world. We work with a wide range of industries, solving everyday internet problems in offices, and providing complex networking solutions such as smart buildings and IoT Networks. At GL.iNet, We believe all successful businesses build upon a strong and secure foundation, which is why our highest priority is perfecting network security and reliability for our partners.