VAS TOP10: #3 IMI Mobile―Data Enabler

IMImobile is a Hyderabad, India headquartered privately held company providing services in technology platforms and mobile value added services to operators, media companies, and enterprises in more than 66 countries with operations in Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

IMImobile was incorporated in the year 1999 as IMIsoft by Vishwanath Alluri. It was later renamed as IMImobile in 2007.

IMImobile provides mobile and online technology platforms and content services to mobile operators and media companies in India and internationally. The company's product portfolio includes a service delivery platform, a mobile advertising platform, carrier grade messaging platforms and gateways, applications for data services, music download and video streaming, and voice platforms. It offers value proposition, content management system, portal management system, managed connectivity, voice and video, service creation, content adaptation, porting and testing, mobile advertising, user generated content services, and DaVinci Social-a service that enables people to manage their mobile digital social-life, as well as allows operators to offer a social service.

IMImobile acquired Mobytec, the technology platform powering Mobyko.com social aggregation service in July, 2009. The Mobytec platform is now being offered by IMImobile as a fully managed service for mobile network operators (MNOs).

IMImobile and Telecom Express launched IMEXmobile in June, 2009. The joint venture company was set up to provide end-to-end solutions for the implementation of interactive mobile services for media companies. The company took over the Music2You service from the Nokia Siemens Networks in February, 2009. Under the M2Y brand, IMImobile provides full-track music download and subscription services.

IMImobile acquired Win, a UK mobile and wireless data services company, which is a provider of mobile content, messaging, and payment services to mobile network operators and enterprises, including Vodafone, T-Mobile, and the BBC in Oct 2010 for $26 mn.

IMImobile also acquired Mobyko, mobile backup and content sharing service. Mobyko lets people sync their mobile contacts, calendar, photos, video, sms, and other files to its web locker and from there to social networks. About 70% of IMImobile's revenue comes from India, though it also has customers outside the country like MTN Group in South Africa and some customers in Europe.

IMImobile ranked 411 on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Asia Pacific 2009, a ranking of the 500 fastest growing technology companies in Asia Pacific. It was also ranked top 50 in India in 2007 by Deloitte. To qualify for the Technology Fast 500, entrants must have had first year operating revenues of at least $50,000.

IMImobile services are now accessible to 784 mn subscribers through 71 operators in 59 countries. With global partnerships, leading mobile operators including Aircel, MTN, O2, airtel, Vodafone along with the development of the market-leading DaVinci Evolved Services Platform, managed services in a SaaS model. This has enabled IMImobile to demonstrate leadership on new operational mobile data models in a true virtual marketplace, leveraging economies of scale in service delivery.

The company is funded by SPARK Ventures, FirstMark Capital, and Sequoia Capital India. IMImobile is working with over 100 Blue Chip companies and its services reach over 780 mn people in 59 countries. IMImobile operator customers include Aircel, airtel, BSNL, Meteor, Millicom, Mobitel, MTN, Reliance, Tata, Telefonica, Virgin Mobile, and Vodafone. IMImobile media and enterprise customers include BBC, Star TV, Reuters, Yahoo, Google, EMI Music, Universal Music, Sony and Warner Music, The AA, Centrica and E-ON.

Recently, IMImobile announced the acquisition of UK-based digital agency Skinkers. Skinkers' capabilities will be combined with IMImobile's DaVinci Evolved Service Platform to offer end-to-end solutions in 2 Screen interactive TV, m-commerce and customer care.