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03/27/2008
Phoenix to acquire online backup software provider BeInSync for $22 million
Core systems software platforms provider Phoenix Technologies is to acquire BeInSync, a provider of online backup, secure remote access and file synchronization software solutions. Phoenix will pay $22.1 million in the form of cash and Phoenix common stock for the Israeli-based startup company.
BeInSync's patent-pending, peer-to-peer (P2P) technology allows users to seamlessly and securely access their latest files anytime and anywhere, automatically keeping files and folders 'in sync' and backed up across multiple computers, including home PCs, office PCs and laptops. The acquisition, which is anticipated to close within the next several weeks, will support Phoenix move to deliver its PC 3.0 promise of Embedded Simplicity.
“This acquisition is a leap forward in our effort to redefine and significantly improve the PC experience by embedding simplicity for end users," said Woody Hobbs, President and CEO of Phoenix Technologies. "PC 3.0 eliminates complexity and provides users with the kind of convenience they expect from their digital devices. We are bringing new benefits to the hundreds of millions of PC users globally who require built-in functionality on PCs by enabling secure and easy online access and collaboration and automated data protection to help them manage their digital lives.
"With this acquisition, Phoenix is extending its leadership in the PC industry to include products in its portfolio that will set the standard yet again for providing the best-in-class solutions to PC OEMs and their customers," said Tal Barnoach, Founder and Chairman of BeInSync.
Upon the closing of the acquisition, Sharon Carmel, Founder & Vice President of R&D at BeInSync, will join Phoenix as Vice President & Chief Scientist of Synchronization and Continuity Solutions and Phoenix will continue to maintain operations out of Tel Aviv, Israel.
Phoenix provides core system software (CSS) for personal computers (PCs) and other computing devices. The company was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Milpitas, California. Trading on Nasdaq stock exchange, the company’s current market capitalization is $428 million.
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06:50 Posted in Online Backup | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: Phoenix, BeInSync, online backup, secure remote access, file synchronization software solutions.
03/26/2008
Content syndication software service provider WebCollage secured $10 million
Content syndication software service provider WebCollage has secured $10 million in new financing round led by new investor Greylock Partners Israel with participation from existing investors Sierra Ventures, Cedar Fund and Gilde IT Fund. This round brings the total investment in the company to more than $45 million. WebCollage will use the capital to accelerate the development of its on-demand service and to expand globally.
"During the past year we have seen a rapid increase in the number of manufacturers eager to extend the breadth and depth of their online marketing reach and interaction with customers," said Yuda Doron, CEO of WebCollage. "WebCollage’s patented solution enables manufacturers to increase sales by 6%-15% by automating the exchange of Web marketing with business partners while uniquely addressing manufacturers’ requirements for ensuring brand consistency and providing richer, more interactive online merchandising experiences for their end customers."
"At a time when online marketing and advertising programs are rapidly proliferating, WebCollage offers a unique, transformative solution that allows manufacturers to engage with their customers directly at the point of product research and purchase," said Yoram Snir, Partner at Greylock Partners Israel and new WebCollage Board Member. "Moreover, we believe that with its proven ROI, its rapidly growing network of 750 top ecommerce sites and its more than 75 leading global brand clients, WebCollage is poised to become the premier online content exchange for online marketing and sales programs."
WebCollage’s web content exchange solution allow manufacturers to extend their Web product marketing content to all of their business partners and to optimize the selling and marketing of products via the Web. Founded in 2000, WebCollage is a privately-held company headquartered in New York, NY, with a development center in Tel Aviv, Israel.
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20:25 Posted in Content Delivery | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: WebCollage, Content syndication software, Yuda Doron, Gilde IT Fund, Cedar Fund, Sierra Ventures, Greylock Partners Israel
03/19/2008
Tech advice community site FixYa received $6 million from Mayfield Fund and Pitango
Free tech advice community site FixYa received $6 million in Series B funding by Mayfield Fund and Pitango Venture Capital. FixYa will use the funds to expand its business operations in the United States and Israel and to offer new products and services to its rapidly growing user base.
FixYa is an online source for free technical advice on gadgets, electronic equipment and consumer products. Fixya website has currently more than 6 million monthly unique visitors and covers more than 800,000 consumer products in all categories. More than 100,000 new questions and answers are posted every month. Product-category experts and other members of the community answer most questions in fewer than 12 hours.
“Consumers are dealing with a tidal wave of increasingly complex products at the same time that fewer resources are being committed by manufacturers to customer service and support,” said Raj Kapoor, managing director at Mayfield Fund, who will join FixYa’s board. “FixYa’s community-based approach creates an efficient marketplace where people can ask questions and get answers to any high- or low-tech problem they may have with their gadgets or other products.”
FixYa was launched in August 2005 by Yaniv Ben-Saadon, the current company SEO. In January 2007 the company has raised $2 million in Series A with an initial seed investment from Mayfield Fund and Pitango Venture Capital. FixYa is headquartered in San Mateo, CA.
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18:45 Posted in Online Support | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: Raj Kapoor, Yaniv Ben-Saadon, Mayfield Fund, Pitango Venture Capital, tech advice community, Fixya
03/17/2008
Gizmoz raised $6.5 million from Japanese mobile operator DoCoMo
Gizmoz, a provider of 3D talking characters that enable individuals to put a unique face and voice to their digital communications, raised $6.5 million in Series B financing. The investment was led by DoCoMo Capital, a subsidiary of Japan's biggest mobile phone operator NTT DoCoMO, with additional funding from ngi capital. Series A investors Benchmark Capital and Columbia Capital also participated in the round.
Gizmoz also announced an agreement with AOL to allow users of its instant messaging service AIM to create 3D, talking Gizmoz characters to personalize their messages. The highly-engaging, animated Gizmoz Expressions can be customized, using a digital photograph and personal message, to trigger verbal and facial reactions as key words are typed in the instant message window.
Gizmoz will use the new strategic round to fund expansion into the Asian mobile internet market. "Gizmoz has enjoyed widespread adoption by consumers, advertisers and media partners over the last year, and with a number of exciting new products, programs and partnerships underway, the company is poised for significant expansion in 2008," said Eyal Gever, Gizmoz CEO. "As we move forward on a number of key initiatives, building cross platform synergies into our service is at the top of the list. To pursue our strategy, Asia will be key. This financing will play an important role in helping us develop unique offerings for this market."
"Gizmoz has done an excellent job of creating a social media platform for user-generated content that is unlike anything that exists in the world today," said Nobuyuki Akimoto, president and CEO of DoCoMo Capital. "Gizmoz's offerings come at an opportune time in the development of Japan's extensive mobile ecosystem, and they should feed the strong desire of Japanese consumers to embrace innovative content enhanced by Gizmoz's technology."
In May 2007, the Israeli provider of 3D animated avatars has secured $6.3 million Series A investment from Benchmark Capital and Columbia Capital. The company has offices in Menlo Park, CA and Ramat Gan, Israel.
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18:40 Posted in User Generated Content | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: Gizmoz, DoCoMo, AOL, AIM service, social media platform, 3D animated avatars, user-generated content