Nexkey Returns With New Leadership and Dealer-First Strategy

Less than two years after Nexkey shuttered its operations, the access control brand is back — this time under new ownership, a new leadership team, and with a completely reimagined go-to-market strategy that places installing security contractors at the forefront.

Originally founded as a mobile-first access control company, Nexkey Inc. ceased operations in August 2022 after failing to secure a needed round of funding.

“They needed another round of capital to continue operating but couldn’t secure it, especially difficult in the middle of COVID,” Brandon Douglas, president of the newly structured Nexkey, told SecurityInfoWatch. “This led to the end of their operations.”

Before its shutdown, Nexkey made its debut at ISC West in 2019, introducing its platform and earning recognition with a 2019 SIA New Product Showcase Award in the wireless access control devices and peripherals category.

The Nexkey name lives on, however, under a new corporate entity with no ties to the original leadership. According to Douglas, the new team moved quickly to maintain continuity for existing customers while setting the foundation for a long-term, dealer-driven future.

“Our new leadership stepped in quickly to keep existing clients supported and to continue the mission of making access control seamless,” he said.

Douglas, a third-generation locksmith with experience dating back to 1996, now leads the company with a clear focus on uniting traditional locksmithing with modern access technologies. “My focus is on building a company that bridges traditional locksmithing with modern access control technology, bringing simplicity and reliability to a market that often feels overly complex,” he said.

Nexkey’s Advisory Council further reinforces this focus. Tim Braun, president of Academy Security Group and a veteran of growing one of the largest national security providers in the United States, brings operational scale and service strategy expertise. He will be instrumental in shaping Nexkey’s dealer and service strategies.

Also advising Nexkey is Josh Plummer, president of Lockt. He is the original architect and developer behind the Lockt CloudAccess platform, an access control system built to scale from single-door installs to large enterprise environments. “His technical expertise helps guide Nexkey’s product roadmap and architecture decisions, ensuring we stay ahead as the market moves toward more connected, software-driven solutions,” Douglas said.

While the company’s flagship products — Nexkey Core, Solo, and Controller — remain at the heart of the lineup, they have undergone significant behind-the-scenes transformation, according to Douglas. All products now feature updated chipsets and revised firmware for enhanced performance and security. The Solo electric strike accommodates every brand of cylindrical or mortise lock designed to work with a 4-7/8” strike plate — with only minor modifications and requires no wiring, panels or wall penetrations.

“Because Nexkey installs like a mechanical lock, our dealer network is built around locksmiths, the true experts in doors,” Douglas said. “If they can install a mechanical lock, they can install Nexkey.”

Certified dealers at the core

For dealers and integrators, Nexkey’s return represents not just a second act but a reset, with a more sustainable model that’s tailored to their success. A key difference in the company’s new approach is its complete departure from direct-to-end-user sales.

“We’ve completely shifted that model. We now go to market exclusively through our Certified Dealer Network,” says Douglas. This shift reflects a broader recognition that dealers are essential partners — not just for installation, but for customer relationships and long-term support.

To help those dealers succeed, Nexkey offers tiered pricing, training resources (virtual and on-demand online classes) and dedicated support. “We offer volume-based discounts: the more our dealers sell, the better their pricing gets,” he explained. Nexkey also routes qualified inbound leads to local certified partners and provides product documentation tailored for on-the-go professionals.

“Our onboarding tools and product documentation are streamlined and built for the way locksmiths work — clear, practical and mobile-friendly,” Douglas said. “Dealers also get access to a dedicated support team who understand the field and can help with both technical and sales-related questions.”

Refined technology for small business markets

Nexkey’s solutions are specifically positioned to serve small and growing businesses — spaces like fitness studios, real estate offices, salons, coworking hubs and places of worship. These environments often face staff turnover and evolving access needs that make rekeying a logistical and financial burden.

“With us, a phone becomes the key, and rekeying takes seconds — not days or dollars,” Douglas said.

More than 80% of Nexkey users manage their system entirely via smartphone, a reflection of the company’s mobile-first DNA. “Every administrative task, from issuing access to managing schedules, happens in seconds with just a few taps,” Douglas said. “No manuals, no training sessions, just instant control.”

As Nexkey reenters the market, Douglas emphasized, its mission is grounded in operational simplicity, partner empowerment and a modern user experience. “We’ve taken what used to be a manual, time-consuming process and turned it into an intuitive, mobile-first experience that anyone can manage,” he said.