Video Archives

4INFO, Inc.

Product Name

4INFO Mobile Open Platform

Market Segment

Enabling Technology

Funding

Series A: Angel investors. Series b: Draper Fisher Jurvetson and US Venture Partners, $8 million. Series C: Gannett Co., undisclosed.

Competitors

InfoSpace, Medio Systems, AskMenow, Google Mobile, AOl Mobile, Promptu

Product Description

4INFO, the leading mobile search provider, provides the easiest way for consumers to search, discover and receive information on their cell phones. 4InFO has opened up its technology to enable content providers and individuals to rapidly make their information keyword-searchable from any mobile phone. Services created using these tools can deliver instant search results and text alerts by accessing any existing data feed, while also generating revenue opportunities through advertising and subscription services.

Market Opportunity

According to the Pew Internet & American Life Project, two out of three cell phone subscribers between the ages of 8 and 27 use text messaging. Wireless startups received an estimated $1.3 billion in 2005. Revenues for U.S. wireless data services grew 38 percent, from $4 billion in 2004 to $5.5 billion in 2005.

Demo Says

Mobile content strategies aren’t just for the “big boys” anymore. The 4InFO open platform lets any information publisher—from established brands to long-tail bloggers—mobilize its content. Through simple APIs, content providers can offer their information via SMS, without the overhead or hassle of working with mobile carriers or installing mobile content server solutions. 4InFO extends the Web to any SMS-enabled mobile phone and gives virtually anyone the ability to be a mobile information provider.