The startup Founded in Munich in 2015, MessengerPeople offers a cloud-based software solution that makes it easy for companies to connect with their customers via messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Apple Business Chat (iMessage). According to MessengerPeople, over 700 companies currently use the application, including tour operator TUI. The startup currently has over 40 employees.
Sinch, on the other hand, was founded in 2008. The Stockholm-based company connects businesses and customers worldwide via mobile messaging, voice, and video telephony. Its cloud communications platform enables companies to reach any mobile phone. The company has approximately 2,300 employees in more than 40 countries.
"I'm very impressed with the Messengerpeople team and their success in bringing innovative products to market. Most companies have yet to discover the benefits of conversational messaging. Together, we are excellently positioned to win in this promising market,"
commented Oscar Werner, Founder and CEO of Sinch.
Also Alex von Frankenberg, Managing Director of the High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), praises the startup:
“In a highly dynamic environment, Messengerpeople’s success has been achieved not only through hard work, but also through bold pivots, at least three radical changes of direction.”
The HTGF accompanied the startup from the beginning and worked with the co-investor and HTGF fund investor Media + More Venture.
Details of the deal
"Mobile messaging is simple, fast, and interactive—and used by people all over the world. Enabling companies to use messaging apps professionally is a huge market opportunity, and working with Sinch gives us the opportunity to pursue it on a global scale."
says Franz Buchenberger, Co-founder and CEO of Messengerpeople.
The acquisition builds on Sinch's ongoing organic investments and previous acquisitions in the conversational messaging space. The objectives of integrating Messengerpeople into the Sinch family are cross-sales, accelerated geographic expansion, and product integration with Sinch's communications APIs and associated Sinch applications. The purchase price is €48 million, of which €33.6 million will be paid in cash and €14.4 million will be paid in the form of new Sinch shares. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021. There are currently no changes for existing and new Messengerpeople customers.
