Mobli is a mobile photo- and video-sharing service originally launched in 2011 that enables users to connect around common interests via images, hashtags and locations. The app runs on Android, Windows and iPhone and offers features such as immediate camera-gallery access and social discovery. The company plans to use new funding to build and expand a visual search engine and to enable users to "see the world through other people's eyes" and scroll back through previous images. The strategic investment from América Móvil is intended to provide distribution to millions of mobile users across Latin America. Prior to this round Mobli had raised approximately $28 million from investors including Kenges Rakishev and several celebrity investors. The company says the deal will help it reach millions of users and pushes Mobli toward a roughly $1 billion valuation, though the company is not disclosing exact figures. Mobli is a photo- and video-sharing app that aims to be a place where content creators feel comfortable telling stories with their content rather than simply cloning Instagram. The company reports that most of its volume comes from photos and that it receives hundreds of photos uploaded for every video. Mobli has pursued an unconventional fundraising strategy, recruiting celebrity investors and endorsements to help drive consumer interest. In its latest raise the company took in $22 million, including a $20 million investment from Kazakhstan businessman Kenges Rakishev and $2 million from existing celebrity backers. Rakishev will take a seat on Mobli’s board as part of the deal. The company has raised a total of $28 million to date. Mobli is a real-time photo and video sharing mobile application. The company was founded by Israeli entrepreneur Moshe Hogeg. Hogeg's stated vision is to build the platform into a visual search engine. High-profile backers include Serena Williams, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire and Lance Armstrong; Williams's investment was announced but the size and terms were not disclosed. Williams plans to use the app to update fans during the Olympics and has 2.9 million Twitter followers. Mobli is not an official Olympics sponsor, creating potential regulatory ambiguity for athlete promotion during the Games. Mobli is a photo-sharing app that organizes content into subject-based channels and applies visual and location-aware filters. It offers apps for iPhone, Android, and BlackBerry and geotags all photos and videos, with optional Foursquare venue tagging. The platform provides 22 free filters and can apply filters based on location (for example, stadium team colors or conference-branded filters). Mobli has seen significant celebrity adoption, including Leonardo DiCaprio, David Arquette, and Paris Hilton, and is acquiring roughly 10,000 new users a day. The company highlights monetization opportunities through brand partnerships and sponsored filters. The startup is currently raising capital, most recently a $4 million round led by Leonardo DiCaprio. Mobli is an Israeli mobile photo and video sharing startup planning an iPhone app and website launch in the coming weeks, followed by Android and BlackBerry apps. Its core product emphasizes speed — allowing videos to be uploaded within seconds — and flexible sharing controls using a Twitter-follow model alongside private sharing. The app supports channel-style shared albums (similar to Color) and geotagging with optional Foursquare venue tags to organize collections around events or news. Mobli is promoting celebrity participation as a primary hook, highlighting activity from users such as Lukas Haas, Paris Hilton, Tobey Maguire, J-Lo, Kim Kardashian and Fergie, and has created a "paparazzi" channel for celebrity spotting. The company faces competition from services like Instagram and JustSpotted. Mobli has raised $1.6 million over two rounds, currently has 13 employees in Israel, and is setting up a New York office.

Total raised

$88M

Funding rounds

5

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Nov 2013