Interwise

About Interwise

Interwise, founded in 1994, established itself as a provider of voice, web, and video conferencing solutions for the enterprise market before its acquisition. The company developed and sold IP-based software that facilitated a range of virtual communications, including voice conferences, web meetings, virtual training, and webcasts. Its client base spanned various industries such as technology, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and automotive.

The US-Israeli company, though headquartered in the USA, originated in Israel and maintained a significant research and development center there. Interwise expanded its operations globally, with offices in six countries including the United Kingdom, France, Japan, and China. The firm's business model centered on providing these conferencing and collaboration solutions to businesses, which ultimately led to its strategic acquisition. Over its history as a private company, Interwise raised a total of $81.3 million in funding from a pool of 20 investors, including notable names like Accenture Technology Ventures, GE Capital, and J.P. Morgan.

A significant milestone in the company's history occurred on November 2, 2007, when it was acquired by AT&T for approximately $121 million in cash. This acquisition was a strategic move for AT&T to enhance its unified communications portfolio. Following the acquisition, Interwise became a business unit within AT&T's Global Business Services, and its technology was integrated to launch the AT&T Connect service, a suite of converged conferencing products. AT&T retained the Interwise management team and its international operations, including the R&D center in Israel, which became AT&T's first local development center in the country.