Mobeam

About Mobeam

Mobeam, Inc. operated as a mobile technology enabler founded in 2010 as a spin-off from its parent company, Ecrio Inc. The company was led by CEO Chris Sellers, Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer Nagesh Challa, and Chief Technology Officer Rao Gobburu. Mobeam developed a patented light-based communications (LBC) technology designed to overcome the inability of retail point-of-sale (POS) laser scanners to read barcodes from reflective smartphone screens. This technology utilized a device's existing infrared LED, often found in the proximity sensor, to send pulses of light that mimicked the black-and-white pattern of a standard 1D barcode. Consequently, retailers could scan coupons, loyalty cards, gift cards, and tickets directly from a customer's phone without needing to invest in new imaging-based scanners or other hardware upgrades.

The company's business model focused on integrating its technology as a firmware solution into smartphones, making it available to mobile app developers through APIs. Mobeam's primary client was the smartphone manufacturer, with a significant partnership being the integration of its technology into Samsung devices, including the Galaxy S4. This integration allowed Samsung Pay to support the transmission of barcoded loyalty and membership cards. The technology was pre-loaded on over 400 million mobile devices at its peak. Mobeam's revenue was likely generated through licensing this technology to handset manufacturers and potentially through partnerships with consumer packaged goods companies, such as Procter & Gamble, for mobile couponing initiatives.

Despite raising a total of $41.3M in funding from investors including Samsung Ventures, Mitsui, and Draper Athena, Mobeam faced significant challenges. The company struggled with widespread market adoption as its solution was considered complex for a problem many consumers were not aware of. Facing financial difficulties in securing further funding, Mobeam was ultimately sold to Samsung and ceased operations in 2016.