News

Turkish Messaging App BiP Introduces Group & Chat Import

BiP Messenger currently operates in more than 192 countries and has over 80 million users.

Published

3 years ago

June 10, 2021

Joanna Melki

turkish messaging app bip introduces group and chat import

BiP

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a massive spike in demand for secure instant messaging software capable of connecting teams and families separated by social distancing measures. Turkish messaging app BiP, which is developed by mobile phone operator Turkcell, experienced a huge influx of new users following an update to Facebook-owned WhatsApp’s privacy policy.

In January, as many as 10 million new users downloaded BiP during a single week, making it one the most downloaded apps on Google PlayStore and Apple AppStore.

To help maintain the remarkable pace of growth, BiP is now making it easier for its users to migrate their chat history from other apps. Users coming from competing instant messaging apps can now automatically and at once move their existing individual chats or group chats, including any shared videos and photographs.

BiP currently operates in 192 countries and has around 80 million users. Besides its home country, Turkey, it focuses heavily on the Indian market.

“India is a strategic market for us. 97% of mobile smartphone phone users use mobile apps for daily communications. The major youth population and their digital savviness offer profound potential. First quarter of 2021 has been very dynamic for us, we’ve reached more than 2 million downloads with very high rates of like scores in various platforms,” said Burak Akinci, BiP’s CEO. “We’ll gratefully continue to invest in innovative solutions and security to make Indian consumers’ everyday lives easier.”

Also Read: Istanbul Fights Disease-Carrying Mosquitoes Using A Smartphone App

BiP stands out from many other instant messaging apps with its security- and privacy-oriented approach. For example, the Secret Chat feature lets users send messages that disappear from the chat screen within a set time period. The app also supports HD group video calls that can include up to 10 people. Users can choose to have their messages automatically translated into 106 different languages, including Gujarati, Kannada, Punjabi, and Telugu.

For these and other features, BiP received the ‘Most Innovative Mobile App’ award at 2020 Global Mobile Awards.

News

Mamo Completes $3.4M Funding Round To Enhance Fintech Services

The startup will use the influx of cash to expand into Saudi Arabia and across the wider GCC while improving its product offering.

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2024

Nour Nasir

Mamo

UAE-based fintech Mamo has announced the completion of a $3.4 million funding round that will help the startup extend its market presence and improve its product offering. Investors included 4DX Ventures, the Dubai Future District Fund and Cyfr Capital.

Mamo’s platform offers “payment collection, corporate cards and expense management” to help small and medium-sized businesses consolidate and streamline their operations. With the latest influx of capital, Mamo will further develop its comprehensive suite of services and begin testing its product lines in Saudi Arabia, further extending its footprint across the GCC.

Imad Gharazeddine, co-founder and CEO of Mamo, stated: “We’ve been in the market for a while now and are incredibly proud of what our team has achieved. The holistic and expansive nature of our product offering has helped us continue to grow sustainably. This additional funding will allow us to reach our medium-term goals even faster. The support from new and existing investors is a testament to our strong expertise and the ability to deliver on our customer promise”.

Daniel Marlo, General Partner of lead investor 4DX Ventures, added: “We have immense trust in Imad’s vision, leadership and Mamo’s innovative approach to provide a user-friendly and comprehensive financial solution for SMEs that makes financial management more accessible and efficient. We are proud to partner with them and support their mission”.

Also Read: A Guide To Digital Payment Methods In The Middle East

Amer Fatayer, Managing Director of Dubai Future District Fund’s investment team, also commented: “Mamo’s localized product lines serve as an infrastructure for SME payments and spend management in UAE, a segment that is underserved by the country’s current banking infrastructure. The team has taken a product-first approach to consolidating SMEs’ financial journeys and building a fintech solution deeply embedded in a business’s core operations”.

To date, Mamo has raised around $13 million in investment funding and now boasts a team of 30 people. The company’s intuitive financial services platform has allowed over 1,000 businesses to consolidate their financial operations and significantly reduce payment fees.