[by Blake Robinson] Bellevue, WA based mobile marketing firm HipCricket, which almost got bought by Neomedia last year, then ditched that and raised two rounds of funding, has raised another $17.1 million, this time on London’s AIM market. This capital will buttress the $10 million that the company already raised in its first and second rounds of funding.
Its IPO brings HipCricket’s market valuation to $155.2 million, which will augment organic growth in the short-to-medium term. The new funds better equips the company to hold its own against mobile marketing competitors like NeoMedia who, just over a year ago failed in an attempt to purchase HipCricket.
To date, HipCricket has focused on making radio a more interactive vehicle by providing clients with tools allowing them to more easily market to mobile devices. Their current clients include Clear Channel, (NYSE: CCU) Fox and NBC.
FYI
NeoMedia and HipCricket are not competitors. Both companies operate in two completely different market sectors.
1D & 2D Mobile Code Reading -vs- Mobile Marketing / SMS
Regards
what a joke. a yet another mobile marketing firm in a business that is in a race to the bottom. is there any substantial business here to warrant millions in investment and an IPO. Plus the name is incredibly juvenile.
leo