A daily newsletter summarizing recent activity & interesting start-ups globally
RECENT NOTABLE ACTIVITY – MOBILE COMMUNICATION
- Messaging app Line invests $45 million into an ephemeral message app, Snow Link
- Messaging platform Migme completes $10 million capital raising Link
- Video group messaging app Tribe closes $3M seed funding round Link
- IMNA Solutions, developer of secured services platform ListenApp raises seed funding Link
- Irish firm Plynk raises €725K in seed funding Link
- Location-based messaging app ChicsConnect raises funding from The Scale Ventures Link
- Snapchat renamed itself to ‘Snap’ and announced a pair of $130 sunglasses with built-in cameras Link
- Google launched an AI Powered messaging app ‘Allo’ Link
- Microsoft is working on cross-platform messaging app called “Skype for Life” Link
- ‘Salesforce LiveMessage will let service reps talk with customers on Messenger, Line, SMS, WeChat Link
- Facebook rolls out workplace chat tool Link
- WhatsCall is a new Viber competitor that works without a data connection Link
- Vungle, a performace marketing platform, announces partnership with Korea’s Kakao messaging app Link
SOME INTERESTING STARTUPS FOUND
Bomb’d (2016, Melbourne) – An ephemeral social networking app that allows users to choose when to send content to their friend.
Emojitones (2016, Ireland) – An emoji based app that allows users to send text messages with sound.
LEADER BOARD – MOBILE COMMUNICATION
Messaging & Calling
Kakao Talk (2010, Seongnam-si, IPO) – Messenger app to send and receive messages including photos, videos, voice notes, and contact information through one-on-one and group chats. Backed by Tencent, Maverick, CyberAgent Ventures and others.
Line (2011, Tokyo, IPO) – OTT video calling & messaging app which features news & coupons as per user interest. Part of Naver Corporation.
Tango (2009, Mountain View, $367M) – Mobile app for OTT video calling & messaging. Backed by Alibaba, Translink Capital and others.
Hike (2012, Delhi, $261M) – OTT messaging & voice calling app. Backed by Tencent, BSB, Tiger Global and others.
Whatsapp (2009, Santa Clara, $58M, Acq.) – Cross-platform OTT messaging & voice calling app. Backed by Sequoia. Acquired by Facebook in February 2014.
Fring (2006, London, $30M, Acq.) – Video calling & messaging app through operator network. Backed by North Bridge Venture Partners, Pitango Venture Capital, VenFin and others. Acquired by Genband in September 2013.
WeChat (2011, Shenzhen) – OTT messaging & calling app, also available for smart watch. Part of Tencent Group.
Messaging
Kik (2009, Toronto, $120M) – OTT messaging app with a built-in browser. Backed by Spark Capital, Tencent, SV Angel and others.
Hoccer (2009, Berlin, $69M) – Hoccer is a secure cross-platform instant messaging app made in Germany for iOS, Android. Backed by Media Ventures GmbH.
Calling
UXIN (2012, Shenzhen, $100M) – Internet-based VoIP calling app. Backed by Sina.
TextPlus (2007, Marina Del Rey, $53M) – Free OTT calling app with paid service to call users without the app. Backed by Matrix Partners, KPCB and others.
Ephemeral
Snapchat (2011, LA, $2.62B) – Real time photo messenger with a timer to self-destruct photos. Backed by Alibaba Group, Yahoo, KPCB, SV Angel and others.
Wickr (2012, SF, $73M) – End-To-End encrypted self-destructing messenger. Backed by Knight Foundation, Juniper Networks and others.
Location Based
Yik Yak (2013, Atlanta, $72M) – Provides location based anonymous feed of what people are saying around. Backed by Vaizra Investments, Azure Capital Partners, Sequoia and others.
Whisper (2012, Santa Monica, $60M) – App to discover people around & share thought anonymously. Backed by Shasta Ventures, Sequoia, Trinity Ventures and others.
Enterprise Messaging
TigerText (2010, Santa Monica, $81M) – Intra-organisation secure messaging app where messages are encrypted and self-destruct after a preset period of time. Backed by OrbiMed Advisors, Reed Elsevier Ventures and others.
Dialpad (2011, SF, $53M) – Dialpad (earlier Switch.co) offers a cloud-based voice, messaging, video conferencing and meetings services. Backed by SoftBank, a16z and others.
Enterprise Calling
Biba (2012, SF, $16M) – Enterprise app for video conferencing. Backed by Benchmark, Trinity Ventures, InterWest Partners.
SaltDNA (2013, Belfast, $3M) – It offers military-grade voice calling and messaging encryption, prevents the monitoring of sensitive communications across public networks. Backed by Atlas venture.
Business
HeyWire (2010, Cambridge, $13M) – Mobile messaging service for customer engagement. Backed by Lauder Partners.
Communication API
Twilio (2007, SF, IPO) – It provides a telephony infrastructure web service in the cloud, allowing web developers to integrate phone calls, text messages and IP voice communications into their web, mobile and traditional phone applications.
Leaderboard includes all the top funded, IPO and successfully running bootstrapped companies along with their location, founding year and funding amount.
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