Hookt

About Hookt

Hookt is a private social messaging application operating under the umbrella of its parent company, airG Inc., a Canadian firm specializing in mobile social entertainment. Founded in April 2000 by engineering students Frederick Ghahramani, Vincent Yen, and Bryce Pasechnik, airG established itself as a pioneer in the mobile content space, initially by monetizing a school project of mobile games. The parent company, airG, primarily generates revenue through strategic partnerships with a multitude of mobile operators globally, enabling direct carrier billing and distribution for its portfolio of products. This business model provides a one-stop-shop for billing, distribution, and monetization of mobile content, serving a user base of over 250 million registered users across more than 160 mobile operators.

As a product within this ecosystem, Hookt functions as a free, cross-platform communication service designed for users seeking privacy away from public social networks. The application allows individuals to connect with their existing circle of friends on devices including Android, iPhone, and Blackberry. The service emphasizes authentic connections by ensuring that user profiles and content, like photos and messages, remain entirely private and are not publicly exposed. Key features include group chat capabilities for up to 10 participants, read indicators to confirm message receipt, and a range of expressive reactions that go beyond a simple 'like'. First launched as a private-label mobile community in partnership with carriers like Boost Mobile as early as 2005, the Hookt brand has a long history of providing interactive messaging environments. The application's core value proposition is offering a secure and intimate space for digital interactions among real friends, free from the clutter of mainstream social media.