AvantGo

About AvantGo

AvantGo, Inc. operated at the forefront of the mobile internet wave, providing infrastructure software and services that enabled web content and corporate applications on handheld devices like PDAs and early smartphones. Founded in 1997 by Felix Lin, the San Mateo, California-based company developed technology that allowed users to synchronize and access web pages offline. Felix Lin, who served as CEO and Founder from 1997 to 2002, brought a rich background in technology, with previous roles at Oracle, NeXT, and Versant, and holds multiple degrees from MIT, including in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and Management.

The company's core offering was a browser that could function with a live internet connection but specialized in syncing web pages, including forms and JavaScript, for offline interaction. This was particularly valuable for intermittently connected devices. AvantGo's business model focused on enterprise clients, licensing its AvantGo Enterprise software to major corporations like American Express, Ford, and McKessonHBOC. While the company gained significant public recognition for its free consumer service, "My AvantGo," which amassed around 7 million registered users, this service was primarily a demonstration of its technology and was never profitably monetized. Revenue was primarily generated from enterprise software licensing and services aimed at mobilizing corporate workforces.

AvantGo experienced rapid growth, reaching nearly 400 employees and launching a successful initial public offering on September 28, 2000, with shares priced at $12, closing at $20 for a market capitalization of nearly $1 billion. Despite its early success and strong brand recognition, the company faced financial struggles. In a move to strengthen its position in the mobile middleware market, Sybase Inc. acquired AvantGo in a cash deal valued at approximately $38 million, which was finalized in early 2003. AvantGo was integrated into Sybase's iAnywhere Solutions subsidiary. The free public service was eventually discontinued on June 30, 2009, and following Sybase's acquisition by SAP in 2010, the AvantGo brand was phased out.