In 2017, Amit Sherman, an experienced engineering leader, noticed something most people try to overlook: getting into your own building was still harder than it needed to be.
Outdated callboxes, unreliable remotes, and clunky systems no longer fit a connected, mobile world. Sherman had already built a BLE gate controller, but the broader problem was clear and too big to ignore.
Rather than treating it as just another tech nuisance, Sherman saw an opportunity to rethink how access should work in U.S. apartment communities. The result was Gatewise, a company built from scratch to deliver modern, mobile-first access control system without wires, hardware hassles, or the friction of traditional systems.
Solving the Problem by Starting Fresh
While most solutions tried to upgrade outdated callboxes and wired systems, Sherman took a different path. He asked a simple question:
What if access control could be as seamless as unlocking your phone?
With that in mind, he began developing innovative solutions tailored to the problem and eventually created the Gatewise brand to bring them to market. From writing the core system software to designing the architecture, Sherman kept one focus in view: make it simple, make it secure, and make it wireless.
The result was a simple, scalable system: residents unlocked gates with a tap, while managers controlled access remotely, no codes, remotes, or callbox hassles.
What began as a technical project quickly evolved into a complete access control system, tailored to the daily realities of multifamily communities.
Leading Every Layer From Codebase to Customer Onboarding
Sherman didn’t just build the technology; he built the entire platform around it. As CEO, he directs every key decision: how the product would be priced, who the first customers would be, and how the company would grow without outside funding.
He personally recruited the first team members, negotiated with early adopters, and oversaw client onboarding, ensuring that every interaction reflected the product’s simplicity and reliability.
From 2017 to the present, Gatewise remained completely bootstrapped, yet achieved steady market traction. That kind of growth in a highly competitive, capital-intensive space is rare and speaks directly to the tight alignment between Sherman’s product vision and his operational execution.
Turning Focus into an Advantage
Gatewise, under Sherman’s lead, focused on multifamily housing, an underserved segment. These communities often manage dozens of access points, gates, doors, and garages across hundreds of residents, making traditional systems costly, time-consuming, and challenging to manage.
That clarity of focus enabled fast installs, minimal infrastructure, and intuitive control without overbuilding.
This wasn’t just efficient, it was strategic. By staying focused on multifamily needs, Gatewise moved faster than legacy competitors, replacing outdated systems and winning repeat clients even in crowded markets.
By 2020, the platform had proven durability and demand not in theory, but in day-to-day use by property managers and residents alike.
Building Something That Lasts
An early install in a Texas apartment showed the impact: service calls dropped, remote hassles disappeared, and staff could manage access in real time—no remotes, no callbox issues.
That kind of outcome wasn’t luck. It was the result of technical clarity paired with lived experience. Sherman knew what he was solving for and never lost sight of it.
Many founders step back from tech as their companies grow, but Sherman didn’t. He stayed hands-on, remaining the primary author of Gatewise’s core ideas and developments, aligning product and strategy in ways few early ventures achieve.
Why This Story Matters
Gatewise represents a meaningful shift in how access control system is delivered across the U.S. multifamily housing industry. By offering a mobile-first, wireless, and easy-to-manage platform, it has helped property managers reduce operational friction, improve security, and meet modern tenant expectations all without costly infrastructure or complex onboarding.
In a sector long dominated by inflexible, legacy systems, Gatewise has introduced a scalable, efficient alternative that continues to gain traction nationwide. Its early success, achieved without external funding and in a highly competitive environment, demonstrates its value not just to clients but to the broader U.S. housing and proptech ecosystem.
At the foundation of this innovation is Amit Sherman, whose rare combination of technical and strategic leadership has shaped Gatewise into what it is today.
What’s Next
Today, Gatewise continues to grow, driven by the same core principles that shaped its early success: simplicity, reliability, and user-focused design. It’s still grounded in the principles Sherman started with: simplicity, usability, and thoughtful design.
For those navigating the challenges of modern property management, it’s more than just an access tool; it’s a new standard. And for those evaluating the people behind that transformation, Amit Sherman stands out not just as a founder, but as an innovator in the truest sense of the word.
His work reflects not only innovation but also a deep understanding of how technology can quietly yet powerfully improve everyday life.
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