Jaxtr

The service amassed a significant user base, reporting over 10 million users across 220 countries by 2008. Its core product allowed users to make phone-to-phone calls to any mobile or landline globally. A key feature was the provision of local Direct Inward Dialing (DID) numbers in 56 countries, which routed international calls through Jaxtr's VoIP system at the cost of a local call for the user. The company also offered a cross-platform mobile application, JaxtrSMS, for sending free text messages. Revenue was generated through a combination of advertising, paid international calling services, and other premium features. For instance, the free SMS service limited message length to append advertisements at the end.

Jaxtr secured substantial venture capital, raising nearly $20 million in two rounds from prominent investors including August Capital, Mayfield Fund, Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ), Founders Fund, and Lehman Brothers Venture Partners. Despite its initial growth, the company faced challenges. In October 2008, it underwent restructuring, which included laying off 30% of its staff and the departure of its CEO, Konstantin Guericke. In June 2009, Jaxtr was acquired for an undisclosed amount by Sabse Technologies, a company co-founded by Hotmail's Sabeer Bhatia and Yogesh Patel. The acquisition effectively led to the shutdown of the original Jaxtr service, although Sabse planned to maintain the brand and integrate the technology to expand its own offerings in the telecommunications application space.