A daily newsletter summarizing recent activity & interesting start-ups globally
RECENT NOTABLE ACTIVITY – MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS
- Messaging App Kik launches Bot store with 16 new bots. Link
- Whatsapp completes end-to-end encryption for all the messages through whatsapp. Link
- Encrypted messaging app Telegram introduces redesigned chat screens and BOT API 2.0. Link
- Facebook updates its messenger app with chatbots. Link
- Location based anonymous messenger app Yik Yak`s CTO Tom Chernetsky drops out. Link
SOME INTERESTING STARTUPS FOUND
Yodel (2015, Miami Beach) – Video chat Messenger App that allows users to experience face to face chatting by recording the face reactions of user.
Myia (2015, Prague) – A platform that turns Wifi network into public chat rooms.
LEADER BOARD – MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS
Messaging & Calling
Tango (2009, Mountain View, $369M) – Mobile app for OTT video calling & messaging. Backed by Alibaba, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Translink Capital, Qualcomm.
Kakao Talk (2010, Seongnam-si, $92M) – 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 Capital, CyberAgent Ventures, DCM.
Whatsapp (2009, Santa Clara, $58M, Acq.) – Cross-platform OTT messaging & voice calling app. Backed by Sequoia Capital. Acquired by Facebook in February 2014.
Hike (2012, Delhi, $86M) – OTT messaging & voice calling app. Backed by BSB, Tiger Global.
Fring (2006, London, $30M, Acq.) – Video calling & messaging app through operator network. Backed by North Bridge Venture Partners, Pitango Venture Capital, VenFin, Veritas Venture Partners. Acquired by Genband in September 2013.
WeChat (2010, Shenzhen) – OTT messaging & calling app, also available for smartwatch. Part of Tencent Group.
Line (2011, Tokyo) – OTT video calling & messaging app which features news & coupon, based on user interest. Part of Naver Corporation.
Messaging
MiaoPai (2011, Beijing, $275M) – Chinese OTT video messaging app. Backed by Redpoint Ventures, Morningside Venture, SINA, KPCB, Sinanet, Star Ventures, Sequoia Capital, YG Entertainment, Sina.
Kik (2009, Toronto, $116M) – OTT messaging app with built-in browser. Backed by RRE Ventures, Spark Capital, Union Square Ventures, Foundation Capital, Tencent, Millennium Technology Value Partners, SV Angel.
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 app. Backed by Matrix Partners, KPCB, Upfront Ventures, The Raine Group.
Ephemeral
Snapchat (2011, LA, $1.53B) – Real time photo messenger with timer to self destruct photos. Backed by Coatue Management, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Benchmark, Alibaba Group, Yahoo, KPCB, GIC, Institutional Venture Partners, General Catalyst Partners, SV Angel.
Wickr (2012, SF, $39M) – End-To-End encrypted self-destructing messenger. Backed by Dolby Family Ventures, Riverwood Capital, Knight Foundation, Juniper Networks, Alsop Louie Partners.
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, DCM, Renren Inc., Sequoia Capital.
Whisper (2012, Santa Monica, $60M) – App to discover people around & share thought anonymously. Backed by Shasta Ventures, Thrive Capital, Sequoia Capital, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Trinity Ventures.
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 Easton Capital, New Science Ventures, Shasta Ventures, OrbiMed Advisors, Reed Elsevier Ventures, TELUS, New Leaf Venture Partners, Norwest Venture Partners, Invus, Accolade Partners.
Voxer (2007, SF, $30M) – A real-time, multimedia communication tool for groups or individuals with live push-to-talk audio with voice, text, photo and location saved in a timeline. Backed by Institutional Venture Partners, Intel Capital, CrunchFund, Windcrest Partners and Webb Investment Network.
Enterprise Calling
Biba (2012, SF, $20M) – Enterprise app for video conferencing. Backed by Benchmark, Trinity Ventures, InterWest Partners.
MobiVox (2007, Montreal, $11M) – A VOIP calling app focussed on businesses. Backed by Brightspark Ventures, Flybridge Capital Partners, IDG Capital Partners, IDG Ventures Vietnam and Skypoint Capital. Acquired by Sabse Technologies in September, 2009.
Business
HeyWire (2010, Cambridge, $13M) – Mobile messaging service for customer engagement. Backed by Lauder Partners.
Leader board includes all the top funded, IPO and successfully running bootstrapped companies along with their location, founding year and funding amount.
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