Instant Messaging app Hike has today announced the acquisition of Y-Combinator backed Zip Phone for an undisclosed amount. This will be Hike’s first acquisition.
ZipPhone, which has been developed by Anuj Jain, lets users make secure calls by using their current Wi-Fi Network. With ZipPhone, you don’t have to worry about roaming or limited talk time as it allows you to have a seamless calling experience over.
Hike recently reached a user base of over 35 Million on its app and raised $65 Million worth funding led by Tiger Global. The app differentiates itself from its competitors by providing features like sending in SMS through its app, notifications even when mobile data is off and others.
Hike enjoys popularity, despite competitors like WeChat and KakoTalk largely because of the aforementioned features, which aptly suit to the Indian market. Data plans have become costlier in India and Hike acts as a perfect medium to bridge that gap.
Zip Phone will perfectly fit into Hike’s ecosystem as both aim to offer free connectivity options to Indian and other emerging nations’ audience. Hike has raised over $86 Million in totality, backed by Tiger Global and Bharti SoftBank.
