Nine tech companies you didn't know you were obsessed with
Consumer tech brands may get all the love, but there are actually millions of business software that's behind some of your favorite apps and sites.
By Business Insider | Updated:
Consumer tech brands may get all the love, but there are actually millions of business software that's behind some of your favorite apps and sites.
When you use Uber, for example, a number of different solutions, from payments to text messaging, work behind-the-scenes to make the app work.
In any case, the end users are usually not aware that they're using these software. Twilio
Twilio is a communications software that allows apps to embed call, voice, and text messaging features within the app. For instance, the text messages you receive on Airbnb or the call number you see from your Uber driver are all pushed through Twilio. Companies like eHarmony, Home Depot, and eBay use Twilio too.
Twilio has raised over $103 million from Bessemer Venture Partners, Redpoint Ventures, and Union Square Venture Partners, and is valued at around $500 million. It says it has a $100 million revenue run rate and is expected to go public soon.
Braintree
Braintree is a solution that makes payments easy for mobile and online businesses. For example, it's what allows users to pay Uber drivers without having to take out their wallets every time they take a ride. Other clients include Hotel Tonight, OpenTable, and TaskRabbit.
Braintree was acquired by PayPal for $800 million in 2013.
CloudFlare
CloudFlare's software is like a cloud firewall in front of your favorite websites/apps that protects them from cyber attacks. It also offers networking services to improve performance and traffic.
It claims it handles more than 5 per cent of the world's web traffic, with more than 2 million websites using its software, including Reddit, Gilt Groupe, and Yelp.
CloudFlare has raised a little over $72 million so far, and is reported to have a $1 billion valuation
Ooyala
Ooyala offers a comprehensive video platform that can play and distribute videos on all kinds of devices, while providing data analytics and monetization features to its customers.
It's used by some of the biggest sports sites including ESPN, Sky Sports and Fox Sports, as well as general news sites like Vice and The Washington Post.
Ooyala was acquired by Australian telco Telstra in 2014.
Jasper
Jasper provides a platform to connect physical objects like a car or refrigerator to the web. For example, GM and Ford are working with Jasper to allow automatic updates to its cars. Heineken uses Jasper to monitor its beer kegs, to keep them always filled and fresh.
Jasper has raised over $200 million so far, from VCs including Sequoia and Benchmark. It's reported to be worth over $1.4 billion.
Disqus
Disqus provides an online and mobile commenting system that's used by over 3 million websites worldwide. Some of the leading tech publications like Wired, ReadWrite, and the NextWeb also use it. Disqus says its commenting service sees over 2 billion unique visitors a month.
Disqus launched out of Y Combinator in 2007 and has raised a little over $10 million so far.
Stripe
Stripe, also a Y Combinator alum, is another payment processing solution used by thousands of businesses around the world. If you use Lyft, Kickstarter, or Instacart, chances are you've been using its solution.
Stripe just raised another $70 million in December, raising its total valuation to roughly $3.5 billion.
Google Maps
The Google Maps API is what powers millions of sites and apps to provide location and maps through their own service. Expedia, for example, is able to show where the hotels are located, while Airbnb can let the users find the host closest to their travel destination.
Other companies that use Google Maps API include 7/11, National Geographic, and WhatsApp.
Foursquare
Foursquare may be best-known for its stand-alone app that lets users show where they are, but its API is actually used by tons of developers and apps.
Apps like Uber and Foodspotting use Foursquare's location data, with more than 40,000 developers using its API.
Founded by Dennis Crowly, Foursquare has raised over $160 million so far.
When you use Uber, for example, a number of different solutions, from payments to text messaging, work behind-the-scenes to make the app work.
In any case, the end users are usually not aware that they're using these software. Twilio
Twilio is a communications software that allows apps to embed call, voice, and text messaging features within the app. For instance, the text messages you receive on Airbnb or the call number you see from your Uber driver are all pushed through Twilio. Companies like eHarmony, Home Depot, and eBay use Twilio too.
Twilio has raised over $103 million from Bessemer Venture Partners, Redpoint Ventures, and Union Square Venture Partners, and is valued at around $500 million. It says it has a $100 million revenue run rate and is expected to go public soon.
Braintree
Braintree is a solution that makes payments easy for mobile and online businesses. For example, it's what allows users to pay Uber drivers without having to take out their wallets every time they take a ride. Other clients include Hotel Tonight, OpenTable, and TaskRabbit.
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Braintree was acquired by PayPal for $800 million in 2013.
CloudFlare
CloudFlare's software is like a cloud firewall in front of your favorite websites/apps that protects them from cyber attacks. It also offers networking services to improve performance and traffic.
It claims it handles more than 5 per cent of the world's web traffic, with more than 2 million websites using its software, including Reddit, Gilt Groupe, and Yelp.
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CloudFlare has raised a little over $72 million so far, and is reported to have a $1 billion valuation
Ooyala
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Ooyala offers a comprehensive video platform that can play and distribute videos on all kinds of devices, while providing data analytics and monetization features to its customers.
It's used by some of the biggest sports sites including ESPN, Sky Sports and Fox Sports, as well as general news sites like Vice and The Washington Post.
Ooyala was acquired by Australian telco Telstra in 2014.
Jasper
Jasper provides a platform to connect physical objects like a car or refrigerator to the web. For example, GM and Ford are working with Jasper to allow automatic updates to its cars. Heineken uses Jasper to monitor its beer kegs, to keep them always filled and fresh.
Jasper has raised over $200 million so far, from VCs including Sequoia and Benchmark. It's reported to be worth over $1.4 billion.
Disqus
Disqus provides an online and mobile commenting system that's used by over 3 million websites worldwide. Some of the leading tech publications like Wired, ReadWrite, and the NextWeb also use it. Disqus says its commenting service sees over 2 billion unique visitors a month.
Disqus launched out of Y Combinator in 2007 and has raised a little over $10 million so far.
Stripe
Stripe, also a Y Combinator alum, is another payment processing solution used by thousands of businesses around the world. If you use Lyft, Kickstarter, or Instacart, chances are you've been using its solution.
Stripe just raised another $70 million in December, raising its total valuation to roughly $3.5 billion.
Google Maps
The Google Maps API is what powers millions of sites and apps to provide location and maps through their own service. Expedia, for example, is able to show where the hotels are located, while Airbnb can let the users find the host closest to their travel destination.
Other companies that use Google Maps API include 7/11, National Geographic, and WhatsApp.
Foursquare
Foursquare may be best-known for its stand-alone app that lets users show where they are, but its API is actually used by tons of developers and apps.
Apps like Uber and Foodspotting use Foursquare's location data, with more than 40,000 developers using its API.
Founded by Dennis Crowly, Foursquare has raised over $160 million so far.
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Text: Anumeha Chaturvedi, ET Bureau
In addition to depriving one of sleep and disrupting the body clock, addiction to smartphones and gadgets can rob one of much-needed private family time. It’s important to detach and minimise dependance on technology once in a while. Anumeha Chaturvedi brings you some tips on reducing dependence on those hard-to-resist tablets and smartphones.
In addition to depriving one of sleep and disrupting the body clock, addiction to smartphones and gadgets can rob one of much-needed private family time. It’s important to detach and minimise dependance on technology once in a while. Anumeha Chaturvedi brings you some tips on reducing dependence on those hard-to-resist tablets and smartphones.
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