Unimobile

About Unimobile

Unimobile Inc. was a wireless messaging startup founded in 1996 by Rajesh Reddy and Chirag Bakshi. Initially established as Gray Cell, the company later rebranded to Unimobile, aligning with its flagship product's name. The firm developed a platform for secure, real-time, two-way messaging on mobile devices across various network protocols. This technology was designed to enable corporations to enhance productivity, cut costs, and drive revenue by delivering information to mobile devices in near real-time.

The company's business model focused on providing back-end wireless technologies for other companies. One of its key offerings included products and software applications aimed at improving the personal mobile user experience. A notable application of its technology allowed subscribers to send an SMS to a PrintMe server, which could then print a document on the nearest available printer. The primary industry for Unimobile was Business/Productivity Software.

Unimobile secured a Series B funding round of $15 million on June 1, 2000, with investments from European Investment Fund, Draper International, ComVentures, and Walden International. The company also received venture funds from the Finnish telecom company Sonera. Despite its initial success, Unimobile faced challenges in securing further funding during the dot-com bubble burst. In May 2002, the company was acquired by the US-based print server company Electronics For Imaging (EFI) for $2.5 million, which included a potential $1 million earn-out based on revenue performance. The acquisition was a strategic move to ensure the continuity of services for its customers and to leverage EFI's financial strength for future growth and geographical expansion.