Jongla, founded in 2012, is a Finnish startup that specializes in device- and platform-independent mobile messaging. Earlier in the year it launched Jongla Social Messenger, a free app on the App Store, Google Play and Windows Phone Store that lets users discover new people nearby and has officially rolled out across Africa. The company is developing a second app focused on voice dictation and smart audio processing. Jongla intends to use its new funding to scale globally, strengthen its presence in emerging markets such as Africa, and to innovate with technologies like AI. The business has raised €12 million to date, including the most recent €5m Series B. Jongla is a Helsinki, Finland-based cross-platform instant messaging app led by CEO Riku Salminen. Its IM app features interactive stickers, push-to-talk messaging, photo and video sharing, and YouTube integration. Last month the company launched "Channels", which allows brands and celebrities to create multimedia channels and engage with fans in real time. Jongla is available free on the App Store, Google Play, Windows Phone Store and Firefox Marketplace. The company closed a €3.4m round of funding and has raised €7.3m to date. It intends to use the funds to scale globally, develop new innovations and grow the team. Jongla is a Finnish, youth-oriented messaging app available on iOS, Android, Windows Phone and HTML5, with roots in feature-phone apps. The product emphasizes personalization via animated virtual stickers alongside standard instant-messaging features such as address-book sync, image sharing, location sharing and real-time typing feedback. Revenue is generated through in-app purchases of stickers and other personalization items. The company says the fresh funding will be used to develop its products and roll out a growth strategy focused on international expansion, with Asia and Europe highlighted as priority regions. Jongla cites impressive growth in markets including Thailand, India, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines and Singapore, but discloses no download or monthly-active-user metrics. Overall investment in the company now totals €3.9 million. Jongla is a Helsinki-based startup that develops mobile messaging apps. Led by founder and CEO Arto Boman with COO Riku Salminen, the company has developed an easy-to-use, cross-platform instant messaging service called Jongla®. It currently employs nine people and is hiring. Jongla raised €1.2m in funding to continue product development and to roll out its business strategy. The company plans a major product relaunch this autumn and will use the capital to support that effort. Backers named in the round include Tekes and individual investors Hannu Syrjänen, Kalevi Sivonen and Janne Leino, among others.

Total raised

$13M

Funding rounds

4

Latest round

Series B

Latest activity

Nov 2016