Voxel has built a cloud-based platform that virtualizes iOS applications, allowing them to run remotely and be streamed to a user’s phone with minimal latency and no installation. The first commercial use case is advertising: developers turn their app into a completely interactive, playable ad so users try the software before deciding to download it, a model the founders believe will improve both install rates and retention. The system works by generating a real-time video stream of the app while capturing and replaying the user’s touches in the cloud, and early demos showed fast-paced games running smoothly even on spotty cellular networks. Although advertising is the initial focus, the technology is positioned as a broader platform that could power secure enterprise apps or rapid prototyping of new software ideas. Android support is on the roadmap, and launch partners already include PocketGems and HotelTonight. The founding team is led by CEO David Zhao (previously co-founder of ZumoDrive) and President Russ d’Sa (former Twitter engineer and co-inventor of Twitter Cards). Voxel has raised $1.6 million in seed funding, providing early capital to scale infrastructure and expand device compatibility.

Total raised

$2M

Funding rounds

1

Latest round

Seed

Latest activity

Sep 2013