Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) acquired Bump Technologies, a mobile data sharing startup behind its namesake and one of the most popular mobiles apps Bump, which allows users to share contacts and other information by physically bumping two phones.
In a blog post, David Lieb, CEO of Bump Technologies confirmed that Google’s acquisition of the startup, but did not provide details regarding the terms of the transaction. Some reports suggested that the search engine giant purchased the startup for $35 million.
“We strive to create experiences that feel like magic, enabled behind the scene with innovations in math, data processing, and algorithms. So we couldn’t be more thrilled to join Google, a company that shares our belief that the application of computing to difficult problems can fundamentally change the way that we interact with one another and the world,” wrote Lieb.
According to him, Bump Technologies will continue with its current business operations, and will provide updates in the future. Lieb together with Andy Huibers, and Jake Mintz co-founded the startup in 2009.
Bump Technologies received approximately $20 million funding from its investors including Y Combinatorm Sequioa Capital, Felicis Ventures, SV Angel, and Andreessen Horowitz among others.
Bump mobile app is available for download on Android or iOS devices free of charge. More than 125 million users already downloaded the app, and shared over 1 billion photos using the data transfer technology as of March.
Last year, Bump Technologies introduced a new mobile called Flock, which allows users of Android and iOS devices to take pictures, saves it into a private album, and share it with their friends and families. Flock has the ability to run in a background.
Some people covering the technology industry opined that the team of Bump Technologies is lucky to join Google because they now have the leverage to expand and monetize their mobile apps.
Others believed that Google could use the startup’s patents to further improve the features of the Android operating system, and create an alternative and more powerful service than the near-field communication (NFC) technology.
Google previously announced that the next version of its Android OS will be called “Kit Kat.” Android development chief, Sundar Pichai said there are already 1 billion mobile devices activated and powered by the operating system.
