« Eyesquad Acquired - Quick Exit For VCs Baytech And Adara | Main | VC-Backed Xignal Acquired By National Semiconductor »
February 01, 2007
German Bluetooth Marketing Startup Going For Growth
Three year old Blue Cell Networks GmbH, a German startup that provides Bluetooth hotspot services, has raised an undisclosed amount of capital from state-backed funds to develop its business, according to Venture Capital Magazin.
The startup has put together a platform it calls Beamzone that is used by crossmedia and mobile marketing agencies for promotions by big brands. It has a long list of brand names that have exploited it, such as McDonalds, Burger King, Opel, Nike and THQ Wireless.
And judging from the number of translations of its website (Portugese, French, German, English), it is going for international expansion.
Beamzone enables agencies to offer free video clips, ringtones, podcasts, games, and coupons to handsets in the radius of its bluetooth network.
With mobile marketing getting so hot in Europe, we like the idea that Blue Cell has its own technology and it sounds like a cost-efficient solution. It seems to have some barriers to entry around out, compared to other mobile marketing players.
As many of you already know, there is a bit of rush on right now over here for mobile marketing agencies to raise capital (eg. YOC, Cellfish, TagAttitude etc.) The agency model is a good business, no doubt, but we don't think it has the kind of scaling built-in that would enable a venture-like return. Blue Cell can ride the mobile marketing wave, but it can also get into other areas where a local Bluetooth hotspot could be useful.
Posted on February 1, 2007 06:34 AM | Posted to Advertising | Wireless | Permalink
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.thealarmclock.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi/3089
