At the end of 2012 a group of Node.js core developers and enterprise mobile middleware experts came together to build an API tier for connecting enterprise data to devices and browsers using Node.js. StrongLoop is based in San Mateo, CA and employs over 30 developers working with Node.js. StrongLoop develops StrongLoop Suite, a leading Mobile API Tier along with being the primary code contributor to Node.js core. StrongLoop Suite includes an open source private mBaaS, an operations and monitoring console plus a supported package of Node.js, containing advanced debugging, clustering and support for private npm registries. StrongLoop is backed by Ignition Partners and Shasta Ventures and includes Marten Mickos, CEO of Eucalyptus (previously MySQL) as an advisor. Strongloop was acquired by IBM in September 2015.