Garmin
Olathe, USA · Est. 1989
Founded by Gary Burrell, Min Kao
Garmin is an American-Swiss technology company founded in 1989 by Gary Burrell and Min Kao in Olathe, Kansas, pioneer of GPS navigation devices. The company's watch division produces smartwatches including the Fenix, Forerunner, and MARQ series, widely used by athletes, pilots, and outdoor enthusiasts for their advanced navigation and health tracking.
- Founded
- 1989
- Headquarters
- Olathe, USA
- Group
- Other
- Price Segment
- Entry
- Status
- Active
Key Collections
- fēnix — Premium multisport GPS smartwatch with advanced training features, mapping, and solar charging options.
- MARQ — Luxury tool watch collection using premium materials — titanium, sapphire, ceramic — with full smart features.
- Instinct — Rugged outdoor GPS watch built to military standards (MIL-STD-810), designed for extreme environments.
- Venu — Health and fitness smartwatch with AMOLED display, aimed at lifestyle users who want smart features with a refined look.
Timeline
- 1989 — Gary Burrell and Min Kao co-found Garmin (from Gary + Min) in Lenexa, Kansas, initially developing GPS technology for aviation and marine use.
- 2003 — Enters the wearable fitness market with GPS-enabled running and cycling devices.
- 2016 — Launches the fēnix 5 series, establishing Garmin as the dominant player in GPS multisport watches.
- 2020 — Introduces solar-powered smartwatches with the fēnix 6X Pro Solar, extending battery life dramatically.
- 2025 — Introduced LTE and two-way satellite messaging on Fenix 8 Pro.
- 2026 — Major firmware update unified feature set across Fenix 8 Pro, Enduro 3, Forerunner 970/570, and Venu 4. Vivosmart 6 filed for regulatory approval.
Frequently Asked Questions about Garmin
- Is Garmin a watch company?
- Garmin is primarily a technology company specialising in GPS navigation, but its wearable division has become one of the largest smartwatch manufacturers in the world, particularly dominant in fitness and outdoor segments.
- What is Garmin's name origin?
- Garmin is a portmanteau of the founders' first names: Gary Burrell and Min Kao.