Voice SMS Company Kirusa Gets $10 MM From Helion, Nexus India
Wed, 07/18/2007 - 07:17 — Sahad P VKirusa, a voice-based SMS application company, has received $10 million in Series C financing from Helion Venture Partners and Nexus India Capital. The company holds a patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for its 'Voice SMS' technology, a release said.
A voice SMS enables people to send SMS messages by speaking. The company expects this application to grow significantly over the next few years, and that can be true for markets like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh where illiteracy is high. Mobile operators like Tata Teleservices, Idea Cellular, BPL Mobile, and MTNL have already partnered with Kirusa, the release further adds. Besides, GrameenPhone and Warid Telecom in Bangladesh, and Ufone and Warid Telecom in Pakistan.
Kirusa, headquartered in New Jersey, has a research and development facility in Bangalore. The company was founded by ex-Bell Labs executives. Mint has more details on the company.
Related to this is the Hyderabad-based NowPos, which has developed a voice mail application on the internet. Bennett, Coleman & Company made an undisclosed investment in this company in October 2006.
July 18, 2007
Saw the demo on Kirusa's site - I don't get it. Why wouldn't you just call someone instead? Isn't this just like voicemail? Am I missing something or does voice SMS seem like a shitty technology?