Cardo Systems

Cardo Systems was founded in 2003 by Abraham Glezerman. The company launched the Scala Rider, one of the first Bluetooth headsets designed specifically for motorcycle helmets, in 2004. Cardo operates its global headquarters and R&D from Ra'anana, Israel. It is a private company; in 2017, the Israeli private equity firm Fortissimo Capital acquired a significant stake, which it later sold to the UK-based private equity firm EMK Capital in 2021 for an estimated $150 million.

The company develops and manufactures wireless intercom and audio systems for motorcycle riders, off-road vehicles, and winter sports. Its core technical differentiator is its proprietary Dynamic Mesh Communication (DMC) technology. Unlike traditional Bluetooth intercoms that rely on a linear daisy-chain (where one disconnected rider breaks the connection for everyone), DMC creates a self-healing mesh network, allowing riders to seamlessly join, leave, and rejoin the group without dropping the network. The systems are sold direct-to-consumer and through global powersports dealer networks.

The flagship product line is the Packtalk series (including Packtalk Edge and Packtalk Bold), which utilizes the proprietary DMC network for large-group riding. For smaller groups or solo riders, Cardo offers the Freecom and Spirit lines, which rely on standard Bluetooth connections. The original Scala Rider product line has been largely phased out in favor of these newer families. Cardo also maintains a hardware partnership with JBL, which provides premium audio speakers integrated into Cardo's higher-end helmet units.

Cardo's primary direct competitor in the motorcycle communications market is Sena Technologies. While Sena has historically integrated its systems directly into specific helmet brands at the factory level, Cardo has positioned itself strongly in the universal add-on market, emphasizing its mesh technology and IP67 waterproofing. The company targets the premium and mid-market segments of the powersports industry.

The company's core R&D, engineering, and global management functions are based in Ra'anana. The Israeli team handles hardware design, firmware development for the DMC protocol, audio engineering, and mobile app integration.