telephony

Twilio Taps Say Media Vet Kirkpatrick as CFO

Arik Hesseldahl in News on May 14 at 5:00 am PT

Global expansion means it’s time to get serious about managing the finances. But first? Build a Twilio app.

Silver Lake Grabs Large Minority Stake of WME to Push Digital Initiatives

Kara Swisher in News on May 2 at 10:59 am PT

Hollywood meets Silicon Valley. Again.

Cloud-Based Phone Software Start-Up Twilio Taps Former Jive Exec as Its CMO

Arik Hesseldahl in News on April 27 at 5:30 am PT

Not clear on what Twilio is all about? Then someone has her job cut out for her.

News Byte

Twilio Nabs $17 Million More in Funding From Current Investors

Ina Fried in News on December 7, 2011 at 4:30 am PT

Twilio, whose technology lets developers build telephony and messaging into their apps, announced Wednesday that it has raised $17 million from Bessemer Venture Partners and Union Square Ventures — two of its existing investors. The San Francisco-based company, which has around 100 employees, plans to use the money to help fuel continued hiring and international expansion.

Fetchnotes Wants to Get Your “To Do” List Out of Your Head

Drake Martinet in Mobile on November 5, 2011 at 10:00 am PT

Start-up Fetchnotes is trying to use an armload of APIs to build a mainline between your real brain and the one you keep on the Internet.

Yahoo Shares Melt as Rumors Collide (Plus, I Add Another Log to the Fire)

Kara Swisher in News on October 31, 2011 at 5:13 pm PT

The Hamlet of Internet companies asks: To be or not to be? That is the question. Or maybe something else.

Exclusive: Skype Employees Were Briefed in Plain English — The Internal Equity Incentive Plan Deck

Kara Swisher in News on June 28, 2011 at 1:14 pm PT

What did Skype employees know and when did they know it? A lot, if you’re reading this “Equity Incentive Plan” deck, which clearly outlines what happens to “good leaver” and bad leaver” execs.

Confirmed: Microsoft Will Announce Acquisition of Skype Tomorrow Morning

Kara Swisher in News on May 9, 2011 at 8:14 pm PT

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier tonight that Microsoft–in what would be its most aggressive acquisition in the digital space–was zeroing in on buying Skype for $8.5 billion all in. Sources told BoomTown tonight that the deal for the online telephony and video communications giant is actually done and will be announced early tomorrow morning.

News Byte

Skype Rival Rebtel Hits 10 Million Users

Ina Fried in Mobile on March 9, 2011 at 9:00 pm PT

Rebtel said late on Wednesday that it has hit 10 million users for its voice-over-Internet calling service and has now connected more than 200 million calls. Rebtel, which offers free and discount calling on a number of mobile devices, also offered up some financial numbers, saying it is profitable and 2010 revenue was $40 million, up 120 percent from a year earlier. The company said it expects 2011 revenue to reach $75 million.

TellFi Helps Small Businesses Sound Professional on the Phone

Liz Gannes in Social on February 28, 2011 at 5:48 pm PT

TellFi launched today a simple Web-based virtual phone system for small businesses. The company helps freelancers and independent shops give off an aura of professionalism with functions like automated extensions and voicemail that would usually require installation by an IT person.