Pinger operates Textfree, which provides users a free, real telephone number for texting and calling and monetizes mainly by displaying ads alongside texts. The service is massively popular: last month users sent and received 2 billion text messages, and Textfree is one of the most downloaded iOS apps. Most of Pinger’s efforts have been concentrated in the U.S., and the company is preparing a broader rollout across Europe this year, currently testing a version in Germany. Pinger has devised a way to encourage users to send and receive an equal number of messages to offset carrier costs in Europe. Financially, the company had raised around $11.5 million prior to its most recent financing. The new deal includes strategic partnership elements with Deutsche Telekom’s VC arm that may enable integrations and carrier relationships. Pinger provides an alternative to text messaging by allowing users to call into their Pinger number, speak a recipient name or group, and leave a voice message in a Pinger mailbox. Members are notified of messages by text and can click through to listen and reply with another Pinger message. The service supports group messages and does not require ringing or typing on the go. Pinger recently changed how non-members access messages: recipients no longer must be Pinger members and are instead sent a text prompting them to click and call a local number to hear the message. Previously, non-members were emailed Pinger messages. Sending messages and managing contact lists remain functions reserved for Pinger members. Pinger is building a simple, viral mobile voice-messaging product (originally called Project Edgar). The company demonstrated a private beta that TechCrunch described as more buttoned up than most non-beta services and likely to be used daily. Founders Greg Woock and Joe Sipher previously worked together at Handspring (Woock as VP Sales; Sipher as VP Marketing) and collaborated at Virgin on an unreleased project. Pinger planned a public launch later that year and was collecting signups on its homepage. Financially, the company raised $3 million from Kleiner Perkins in November 2005, and Kleiner partner Randy Komisar joined the board.

Total raised

$22M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Feb 2012