Iris Mobile, a leader in mobile marketing strategy, has secured $3M in a Series A led by Chicago-based Origin Ventures. Iris Mobile is a pioneer in Rich Media Messaging which enables retailers to go beyond a simple 160 character text by sending richer content that includes images, audio and video to virtually every handset without the installation of any additional software.
Iris Mobile provides a solution that allows rich media messages to be delivered perfectly to any mobile device running on any operating system, and on any wireless carrier. Their product enables brands to send interactive messages containing pictures, videos, coupons, promotions, extended text and web links, and to track campaign analytics for consumer behavior. Their customers include IKEA, Cartier, Pink, Avenue and Kellogg’s.
Illinois Ventures, Hyde Park Venture Partners, Hyde Park Angels and OCA Ventures also participated in the investment. The growth capital will be used to expand the company’s product development, and sales and marketing initiatives.
The company’s three founders, Cezar Kolodziej, Nick Doulas, and Deep Malik, have a combined 20 years of experience in mobile messaging and have played a role in developing the messaging infrastructure used by wireless carriers today. Cezar had this to say about the investment:
“We are fortunate to have the financial support of several of Chicago’s premiere early-stage investors…Our technology has helped brands connect with more mobile customers than ever before. This funding will allow us to extend our reach and accelerate our growth.”
“We’re thrilled to be working with Iris Mobile to bring their Rich Media Messaging platform to more clients and agencies,” said Brent Hill, partner at Origin Ventures. “Mobile devices are becoming increasingly important to marketers, and Iris Mobile offers an innovative path to the text messaging queue on a consumer’s device.”
In September of this year, Iris Mobile was announced as a finalist for the Chicago Innovation Awards in the area of advertising and marketing.