Movile (company)
{{short description|Brazilian firm}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Movile
| logo = Novo logo - Movile.png
| type = Private
| traded_as =
| industry = Internet
Computer software
Telecoms equipment
| foundation = {{start date and age|1998}}
| founder = Fabricio Bloisi & Eduardo Henrique
| location_city = Campinas, SP
| num_employees = 1600
| location_country = Brazil
| homepage = {{URL|movile.com}}
}}
Movile is a local Brazilian firm headquartered in Campinas, Brazil. Movile operates in the segments of food ordering and delivery, ticketing, and logistics. It has had mixed success till now with the bet on food delivery maturing (iFood) while other bets still at nascent stage or under performing.
History
In 1998, Fabricio Bloisi founded a startup that would later become Brazil's Movile.
In its early stage, Movile focused on innovating and exploring advanced technologies, mobile devices, text messages using the Short Message Service (SMS) standard and the first chat through SMS. In the beginning, the company to enabled ringtone commerce in Brazil, as well as the development of the country's first Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) search portal. Movile was also the first company in Latin America to send images through the Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) standard.
In 2007, Bloisi focused on expansion. In 2008, and Movile built itself into the largest company in the Latin American mobile commerce industry through merges and acquisitions with companies like Yavox and Cyclelogic establishing a presence in over ten countries with offices in Argentina, Peru, Colombia and Mexico.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}
In 2012, the team started operations in Silicon Valley.{{Cite web|url=http://telesintese.com.br/index.php/empresas/20357-brasileira-movile-chega-ao-vale-do-silicio/|title=Brasileira Movile chega ao Vale do Silício - TeleSíntese|website=telesintese.com.br|date=August 22, 2012|language=pt-BR|access-date=2017-07-20}}
Timeline
= 1998–2010: early years =
Movile was originally named Intraweb and was founded in 1998 by two former Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp) students, Fabricio Bloisi & Eduardo Henrique, in the city of Campinas. The start-up Intraweb was organized through the University's corporate incubator. The initial purpose was to create corporate Intranets.
In 2001, Intraweb was absorbed by the GoWap website, the first company to receive a capital contribution by Rio Bravo Investimentos. This was the birth of GoWapCorp, a company in the field of corporate market data solutions{{buzzword inline|date=November 2019}} by mean of cell phones.
In 2002, GoWapCorp was the subject of a capital outlay by 'Rio Bravo' and changed its name to Compera.
During 2003 and 2004, the company changed its business model, shifting from software to service provision.[http://noticias.universia.com.br/destaque/noticia/2004/11/19/494834/oragem-e-trabalho-duro.html Universia Article, 'Courage and hard work] Focus was transferred from the corporate market to concessionaires and end customers, with services such as cell phone video, games and music.
In 2007, Compera merged with nTime, a cell phone service company in Rio de Janeiro, creating ComperanTime.[http://www.telesintese.com.br/index.php/empresas/1718-compera-e-ntime-anunciam-fusao/ TeleSíntese Article, 'Compera announces merger with nTime'] In that same year, the mobile marketing company Movile was acquired.
In 2008, MIH Holdings, from the Naspers South African media group, acquired the interest held by Rio Bravo in ComperanTime.[http://info.abril.com.br/aberto/infonews/092008/29092008-29.shl/Info Abril Article, 'Compera acquires part of ComperaTime'] and became the company's minority shareholder.
In 2009, ComperanTime announced its merger with Yavox.[http://www.teletime.com.br/News.aspx?ID=125999/ Teletime Article, 'ComperaTime and Yavox merge'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407075000/http://www.teletime.com.br/News.aspx?ID=125999%2F |date=April 7, 2014 }} Following these discussions, Yavox became ComperanTime's wholly owned subsidiary, but both companies and their respective trade marks were to go on existing separately for several months more.
= 2010–2014: rebranding and expansion =
In 2010, following an extended market research period, ComperanTimeYavox decided to change its name to Movile.[http://www.teletime.com.br/15/03/2010/compera-ntime-yavox-agora-se-chama-movile/tt/171615/news.aspx/Teletime Article, 'ComperaTimeYavox now renamed Movile'] Jointly with this new trade mark, a change in strategy also took place. Movile's key focus turned to digital inclusion by means of mobile services in emerging countries. During that same year Movile and Cyclelogic announced the merger of their operations in Latin America.{{Cite web |url=http://convergecom.com.br/tiinside/19/10/2010/movile-compra-cyclelogic-para-expandir-atuacao-na-america-latina/#.UgpwsZK2OIQ/ |title=TI Inside Article, 'Movile acquires Cyclelogic to expand activities in Latin America' |access-date=September 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140823223333/http://convergecom.com.br/tiinside/19/10/2010/movile-compra-cyclelogic-para-expandir-atuacao-na-america-latina/#.UgpwsZK2OIQ/ |archive-date=August 23, 2014 |url-status=dead }}
In 2012, Movile opened its first offices in the United States[http://telesintese.com.br/index.php/empresas/20357-brasileira-movile-chega-ao-vale-do-silicio/ TeleSíntese Article, 'Brazilian company Movile present in Silicon Valley'] (in Silicon Valley, California) and concentrated its business strategy on that country's Latino market.{{Cite web |url=http://exame.abril.com.br/revista-exame/edicoes/1045/noticias/agora-os-invasores-sao-eles/ |title=Exame Report, 'They are now the invaders' |access-date=September 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140216170005/http://exame.abril.com.br/revista-exame/edicoes/1045/noticias/agora-os-invasores-sao-eles |archive-date=February 16, 2014 |url-status=dead }}
By 2013, Movile invested $1.6 million in the startup iFood[http://exame.abril.com.br/pme/startups/noticias/movile-investe-r-5-5-milhoes-na-ifood/ Exame Report, 'Movile invests R$ 5.5 million in iFood'] and broadened the scope and number of orders by creating a smartphone application like PlayKids app release – considered to be the Children's Netflix.[http://kidscreen.com/2013/10/10/kill-em-with-cuteness-playkids-tv-app-takes-on-the-big-vid-guys/ Kidscreen Article, 'Kill 'em with cuteness? PlayKids TV app takes on the big vid guys'] The PlayKids app stood out during the year at Apple Store[https://apps.apple.com/br/app/playkids-videos-e-jogos-para/id613398383?mt=8%2F iTunes Apple, 'PlayKids'] and Google Play.[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.movile.playkids&hl=pt_BR/ Google Play, 'PlayKids'] Between 2012 and 2013, Movile was part of Brazil's best IT and Telecomm companies to work in. A survey held by the Great Place to Work Institute {{Cite web |url=http://www.greatplacetowork.com.br/ |title=Great Place to Work, official page of Great Place to Work institute |access-date=September 4, 2013 |archive-date=August 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130819055936/http://www.greatplacetowork.com.br/ |url-status=dead }} institute jointly with Computerworld[http://computerworld.uol.com.br/especiais/gptw2009/ Computerworld magazine, official page of Computerworld magazine with ranking of best IT and Telecomm companies to work in.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809110334/http://computerworld.uol.com.br/especiais/gptw2009/ |date=August 9, 2013 }} magazine.
2014 marked a big year for expansion. There an additional $2 million investment in iFood.[https://techcrunch.com/2014/02/06/hungry-for-new-deals-latin-american-wireless-co-movile-doubles-down-on-delivery/ TechCrunch Report, 'Hungry For New Deals, Latin American Wireless Co. Movile Doubles Down On Delivery'] PlayKids arrives in 24 countries: Spain, France, USA, Australia, UK, Canada, among others.[http://gigaom.com/2014/01/16/movile-brings-its-kids-video-service-to-two-dozen-more-countries/ GigaOm, 'Movile brings its kids video service to two dozen more countries'] Movile's new investment in iFood app leads to the purchase of a competitor Central Delivery.[https://techcrunch.com/2014/02/06/hungry-for-new-deals-latin-american-wireless-co-movile-doubles-down-on-delivery/ TechCrunch, 'Hungry For New Deals, Latin America Wireless Co. Movile Doubles Down on Delivery'] Movile and Accelerator 21212 invest R$1.15 million in Superplayer.[http://pme.estadao.com.br/noticias/noticias, trio-levanta-r-1-milhao-de-investidores-para-impulsionar-versao-gaucha-do-itunes,4544,0.htm/ Estadão PME, 'Trio levanta R$1 milhão de investidores para impulsionar versão gaúcha do iTunes'] Movile raises $55 million (Series D) from Innova Capital, Jorge Paulo Lemann, and FINEP.[https://techcrunch.com/2014/08/07/brazils-movile-raises-55-million-to-bring-universal-delivery-services-to-latin-america/?ncid=rss TechCrunch, 'Brazil’s Movile Raises $55 Million To Bring Universal Delivery Services To Latin America'] This new round of financing led to the acquisitions of Rapiddo,{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/07/18/moviles-latin-american-delivery-business-rappido-is-now-picking-up-in-mexico/|title=Movile's Latin American delivery business, Rappido, is now picking up in Mexico {{!}} TechCrunch|last=Shieber|first=Jonathan|date=July 18, 2016 |access-date=2017-07-21}} ChefTime,{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} and FreshTime with investments in LBS Local{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} (owners of Apontador, MapLink, and Cinepapaya) and TruckPad.
= 2015–present: growth into a mobile platform =
2015 started out strong for Movile with a mid-year investment of $40M (Series E) from Naspers and Innova Capital.{{Cite web|url=https://lavca.org/2016/06/28/movile-raises-us40m-from-naspers-and-innova-capital/|title=Movile Raises US$40m from Naspers and Innova Capital{{!}} Latin American Private Equity & Venture Capital Association|last=Editor|date=2016-06-28|website=LAVCA {{!}} Latin American Private Equity & Venture Capital Association|access-date=2017-07-21}} Movile then invested $50 million into iFood and Just Eat{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/06/01/ifood-raises-50-million-from-movile-and-just-eat-for-food-delivery/|title=IFood Raises $50 Million From Movile And Just Eat For Food Delivery {{!}} TechCrunch|last=Ruvolo|first=Julie|date=June 2015 |access-date=2017-07-21}} along with a $15 million investment in PlayKids{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/06/26/movile-hands-playkids-15-million-more/|title=Kid Video And Entertainment Service Playkids Nabs $15M From Parent Firm Movile {{!}} TechCrunch|last=Russell|first=Jon|date=June 26, 2015 |access-date=2017-07-21}} for China and Japan expansion.
In 2016, Rapiddo acquires on-demand courier service 99Motos.{{Cite news|url=http://www.bnamericas.com/en/news/technology/startup-roundup-rapiddo-99motos-merger-passeidiretocom-funding|title=Startup roundup: Rapiddo-99Motos merger, Passeidireto.com funding - BNamericas|date=2016-03-22|work=BNamericas|access-date=2017-07-21|language=en}} PlayKids expands with content from Sesame Street{{Cite web|url=http://kidscreen.com/2016/06/07/playkids-brings-sesame-street-content-into-the-mix/|title=PlayKids brings Sesame Street content into the mix|access-date=2017-07-21}} and additional apps—PlayKids Talk, PlayKids Stories and PlayKids Party. iFood purchases San Francisco-based, online food delivery service, SpoonRocket's technology,{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/03/16/spoonrocket-finds-a-home-with-brazil-based-ifood/|title=SpoonRocket finds a home with Brazil-based iFood {{!}} TechCrunch|last=Dickey|first=Megan Rose|date=March 17, 2016 |access-date=2017-07-21}} to expand their reach into additional restaurants in Latin America. Movile invests in Sympla,{{Cite web|url=http://corporate.canaltech.com.br/noticia/investimentos/movile-investe-r-13-milhoes-na-startup-de-ingressos-sympla-69511/|title=Movile investe R$ 13 milhões na startup de ingressos Sympla - Mercado|website=Canaltech|language=pt-br|access-date=2017-07-21}} a 'do it yourself' ticketing platform for events and Sympla acquires Eventik to expand their presence in ticking. Movile then raises an additional $40 million (Series F) from Naspers and Innova Capital.{{Cite web|url=https://lavca.org/2016/06/28/movile-raises-us40m-from-naspers-and-innova-capital/|title=Movile Raises US$40m from Naspers and Innova Capital{{!}} Latin American Private Equity & Venture Capital Association|last=Editor|date=2016-06-28|website=LAVCA {{!}} Latin American Private Equity & Venture Capital Association|access-date=2017-07-21}}
2017 saw an additional funding round of $53 million (Series G) from Naspers and Innova Capital.{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/07/10/with-53-million-in-new-funding-movile-looks-to-become-the-tencent-of-latin-america/|title=With $53 million in new funding, Movile looks to become the Tencent of Latin America {{!}} TechCrunch|last=Shieber|first=Jonathan|date=July 10, 2017 |access-date=2017-07-21}}
Businesses and brands
= PlayKids =
PlayKids was created in 2013 as a streaming-video-on-demand app (SVOD) for children 5 and under. Initially launched in more than 20 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia and featured original content, as well as content from a range of broadcasters, including DHX Media, PBS and the Jim Henson Company. In 2016, PlayKids expanded with content from Sesame Street and additional apps, as Stories and Party. Today, PlayKids became an education platform, helping kids in their development through educational content and activities. Stories provides a virtual library that can be read or listened to by children 6 to 8 years old. And Party provides interactive learning games for kids 6 to 8 years old.
= iFood =
{{Further|iFood}}
iFood was founded in 2011. The company uses a website or mobile app along with location information to provide customers with access to menus, prices, payment options and delivery from restaurants located in {{citation needed span|date=August 2022|Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Mexico}}, where iFood operates through local companies.
= MapLink =
MapLink is a logistic and routing company in Latin America. It shows live traffic, maps and addresses, monitors more than 500 thousand vehicles and covers 195 thousand kilometers of roads in Brazil.
= Apontador =
Apontador is the Brazilian leader in local search{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}, showing places, services, discounts, reservations and online facilities. Over 100,000 customers pay for the service.
= Sympla =
Sympla is a self-service ticketing and event management platform in Brazil.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}
= Afterverse =
Afterverse is a game company in more than 14 countries.