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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →CRN’s 2025 Stellar Startups roundup named six storage companies founded in 2019 or later, each addressing a different problem: long-term archive, disk-based near-line storage, cloud block-storage costs, immutable backup, disaster recovery, or NVMe performance. It is a dated snapshot—not a ranking or a current 2026 buying guide—and the product descriptions and performance statements are largely vendor-supplied.
How to read the 2025 roundup
CRN says its Stellar Startups profiles focus on channel-oriented technology companies. The six storage companies below are best compared by workload and architecture, not placed in a single best-to-worst order. The roundup does not provide a like-for-like independent evaluation, so it cannot establish an overall winner.
Use the profiles as a starting point for vendor discussions. For any product under consideration, confirm current availability, specifications, deployment requirements, resilience and recovery design, integration needs, performance evidence, total cost for your access patterns, and channel terms directly with the company.
Which storage startup fits each workload?
| Company | Founded | Stated focus |
|---|---|---|
| Geyser Data | 2024 | Cloud-connected, tape-backed long-term archive with S3-compatible workflows |
| Leil Storage | 2022 | Disk-based near-line and archive storage using host-managed SMR drives |
| Lucidity | 2021 | Management and optimization of cloud block storage across major cloud providers |
| Object First | 2021 | Immutable backup appliance designed for Veeam |
| Slide | 2025 | Business continuity and disaster recovery for managed service providers |
| Xinnor | 2022 | Software-defined RAID optimized for NVMe SSDs |
Geyser Data: cloud-connected tape archive
CRN describes Geyser Data as a tape-backed archive service with S3-compatible workflows for uses such as backup, surveillance, research, and media. In a November 2025 announcement, the company said its Cold Data Cloud uses private dedicated tapes, supports air-gap import and export, and has no egress fees. Those are company-stated service characteristics; verify the current service design and contract terms before relying on them.
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- MADE FOR THE MAKERS: Create; Explore; Store; The T7 Portable SSD delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor; Build your video editing empire, file your photographs or back up your blogs all in an instant
- SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
- ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether using a PC or mobile phone, count on the T7 for extensive compatibility²; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
- HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³
The same announcement quoted a price of $1.55 per terabyte. That is a dated company claim, not a current quote or a complete cost comparison. It does not by itself establish the full cost for a particular retention period, volume, retrieval pattern, or service configuration. Geyser identifies Spectra Logic as a strategic partner. Geyser CEO and co-founder Nelson Nahum said in the announcement, “Being recognized as a CRN Stellar Startup is a proud moment for our team and our partners.”
Leil Storage: disk-based near-line and archive
Estonia-based Leil combines the open-source SaunaFS distributed file system with host-managed shingled magnetic recording (SMR) drives. CRN lists backup, near-line and archival storage, HPC, research, big data, healthcare, media, and government among its stated use cases. CRN positions the system as an alternative to tape libraries, but its roundup does not include independent comparative testing to establish when it performs better or costs less than tape.
Rank #2
- Get NVMe solid state performance with up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds in a portable, high-capacity drive(1) (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device & other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
- Up to 3-meter drop protection and IP65 water and dust resistance mean this tough drive can take a beating(3) (Previously rated for 2-meter drop protection and IP55 rating. Now qualified for the higher, stated specs.)
- Use the handy carabiner loop to secure it to your belt loop or backpack for extra peace of mind.
- Help keep private content private with the included password protection featuring 256‐bit AES hardware encryption.(3)
- Easily manage files and automatically free up space with the SanDisk Memory Zone app.(5). Non-Operating Temperature -20°C to 85°C
Lucidity: cloud block-storage management
Lucidity’s products address storage utilization across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. CRN lists AutoScaler for autonomous right-sizing of cloud block storage, Lumen for visibility and analytics, and Assessment for evaluating storage utilization. In a November 2025 announcement, Lucidity described those product roles and reported company claims about savings and engineering time. Treat those outcomes as vendor claims, not expected results for every environment; ask for current, workload-specific evidence.
Object First: immutable Veeam backup
CRN describes Object First’s Ootbi as an immutable backup storage appliance for Veeam that uses S3 Object Lock and a hardened Linux operating system. The roundup also includes capacity and speed figures in a vendor-description context; they are not independent benchmark results. Buyers should confirm current configurations, compatibility, and test conditions rather than treating those figures as a guarantee for a deployed system.
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Rank #3
- Plug-and-play expandability
- SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps)
Slide: continuity and disaster recovery for MSPs
Founded in 2025, Slide is described by CRN as a security-focused business continuity and disaster recovery system aimed at managed service providers (MSPs). Its stated approach combines software, high-performance hardware, and end-to-end encryption. The roundup does not provide independent product testing or pricing, so MSPs should validate recovery workflows, supported environments, security details, and partner terms with the company.
Xinnor: software RAID for NVMe workloads
Xinnor’s xiRAID is software-defined RAID optimized for NVMe solid-state drives (SSDs). CRN lists AI, high-performance computing, media, database acceleration, cybersecurity, and edge computing as target uses. Performance and faster-rebuild statements in the roundup should be treated as company or article claims, not independently measured results.
Rank #4
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
NVMe SSD is the only specific physical-product category established by the roundup as a fit for one of these products. It does not identify a drive model, capacity, interface generation, endurance rating, or compatibility list; no particular retail drive can therefore be called certified for an enterprise xiRAID configuration on this basis.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What solution providers should compare
Start by matching the product category to the workload. A tape-backed archive, a disk-based near-line system, a cloud block-storage management tool, a Veeam backup appliance, an MSP recovery platform, and NVMe RAID are not substitutes for one another simply because they all concern storage.
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Best Value
- NEARLY 2X FASTER THAN OUR PREVIOUS GENERATION(8) – move 1,000 high-res photos in under 60 seconds(6) with up to 2000MB/s transfer speeds(2).
- IP65 RATING AND UP TO 3M DROP PROTECTION(3) – protects against spills and drops.
- POCKET-SIZED – fits easily in pockets and small bags.
- SPACE TO OWN YOUR AI CONTENT – speed and capacity to download your high-res clips and photo edits.
- 256-BIT AES ENCRYPTION(4) – helps keep private files secure with password protection.
- Architecture and deployment: Establish where data resides, what infrastructure or cloud services are required, and how the product fits the existing environment.
- Recovery and resilience: Examine backup immutability, air-gap or recovery options where relevant, failure handling, and the practical steps needed to restore service.
- Integration and workload fit: Confirm support for the applications, platforms, and data patterns that matter to the intended use case.
- Evidence for capacity and performance: Request current specifications and test results applicable to the proposed configuration; vendor figures alone do not establish real-world outcomes.
- Total cost: Compare costs using realistic storage volumes, retention, access and retrieval patterns, operational requirements, and contract terms—not a single headline price.
- Channel relationship: Verify current reseller, MSP, or other partner terms directly. Geyser describes itself as channel-first and names Spectra Logic as a strategic partner, but the roundup does not establish current partner terms for all six vendors.
What the roundup does—and does not—establish
The roundup is useful for identifying six relatively young vendors and their stated areas of focus. It does not verify their 2026 availability, independently benchmark their products, compare their prices on equal terms, establish security certifications, or confirm current partner programs and hardware compatibility. Those details need to be checked with each vendor before making a procurement or channel decision.
CRN’s profiles combine editorial framing with lightly edited company and product descriptions supplied by the startups. Read measurable capabilities, savings, capacity, speed, and performance accordingly: as claims requiring validation for the specific product version and deployment, rather than independent findings.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
