A daily newsletter summarizing recent activity & interesting start-ups globally
RECENT NOTABLE ACTIVITY – MOBILE COMMUNICATION
- Snapchat, an ephemeral photo messaging app, raised $1.8B at a reported valuation of $20B. Link
- Google`s new communication apps Allo and duos, provides end-to-end encryption. Link
- Online video platform YouTube built a messaging feature into its mobile app. Link
- Online social networking platform Facebook removes chat box from mobile website to promote messenger app. Link
- Messaging app Line to go public on NYSE and TSE in July 2016. Link
SOME INTERESTING STARTUPS FOUND
Fade (2015, NYC) – Fade Messenger is a free smartphone messaging app that gives users control while chatting. It offers self-destructing timer for texts, screenshot protection etc. Users can also control which texts can be copied, shared or saved.
DeeMe (2015, Bergen) – DeeMe is a messaging app that lets users to capture images or videos and write comments or tags on them.
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.
Tango (2009, Mountain View, $369M) – Mobile app for OTT video calling & messaging. Backed by Alibaba, Translink Capital and others.
Hike (2012, Delhi, $86M) – OTT messaging & voice calling app. Backed by BSB and Tiger Global.
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.
Line (2011, Tokyo) – OTT video calling & messaging app which features news & coupons as per user interest. Part of Naver Corporation.
Messaging
MiaoPai (2011, Beijing, $250M) – Chinese OTT video messaging app. Backed by Redpoint Ventures, SINA, KPCB and others.
Kik (2009, Toronto, $116M) – OTT messaging app with a built-in browser. Backed by Spark Capital, Tencent, SV Angel and others.
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 an 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.
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, CrunchFund, Windcrest Partners 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.
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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