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Home » Text Marketing Startup Blip Gets Boost from SoftBank, Microsoft

Text Marketing Startup Blip Gets Boost from SoftBank, Microsoft

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text marketing startup blip gets boost from softbank

Today, consumers overwhelmingly prefer texting over phone calls, particularly when interacting with businesses. A recent survey highlights this trend, revealing that almost two-thirds of customers would switch to a company that offers texting as a communication option. This growing preference underscores the increasing importance of text-based marketing in modern customer engagement strategies. With this, we’re going to talk about how Blip got a boost from SoftBank.

Blip’s Evolution and Industry Impact

Blip, formerly known as Take Blip, is riding the wave of this industry boom. As text marketing gains traction, with the global market expected to reach $12.6 billion by 2025, companies like Blip are seizing the opportunity to innovate and expand. Blip currently supports over 4,000 major brands, including GM, Dell, and Claro, by managing their messaging campaigns and driving meaningful interactions with customers.

History

By 2014, as conversational technology surged, Blip shifted from a ringtone provider to AI-powered chat platforms, redefining digital communication. Its platform now integrates with apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, RCS, and iMessage, enabling businesses to streamline customer interactions.

Blip’s cutting-edge platform now integrates with popular apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, RCS, and iMessage. Businesses use Blip’s tools to build AI-driven chatbots that can handle routine queries, facilitate transactions, and seamlessly transfer customers to human representatives for complex issues. These tools enable companies to streamline interactions, making customer engagement more efficient and impactful.

How They Ensured Quality

Blip uses advanced sentiment analysis and feedback tools to enhance interactions over time. Its customizable analytics help brands monitor performance and refine strategies. To address potential employee stress, Blip offers flexible, tailored monitoring options to align with business goals.

The text marketing industry is highly competitive, with companies like Glia, Gupshup, Voxie, and Postscript offering similar solutions. Yet, Blip has consistently outpaced many of its rivals, achieving over $100 million in revenue in 2022.

Its success stems from a focus on innovation and customer-centric services, which have enabled the creation of over 300,000 chatbots and facilitated more than 50 million daily conversations.

Bootstrapped for much of its history, Blip reached a major milestone in 2020 when it secured outside funding. Most recently, it closed a $60 million Series C funding round, led by SoftBank with participation from Microsoft.

softbank microsoft

This rare direct investment by Microsoft underscores the confidence in Blip’s vision and potential. These funds, adding up to $230 million in total, are earmarked for expanding its international footprint and advancing product development.

The Strategy Involved

Blip’s growth strategy includes strategic acquisitions to strengthen its position in key markets. In 2022, the company acquired Stilingue, an AI-driven text monitoring platform. The following year, it added Gus, a conversational AI firm in Mexico, to its portfolio. With offices in Brazil, Mexico, and Spain, and over 1,500 employees globally, Blip has established itself as a leader in conversational marketing.

This rapid growth reflects broader trends in the Latin American tech landscape, where a rising middle class and a skilled talent pool are attracting global investment. Venture capital activity in the region has surged in recent years, creating fertile ground for companies like Blip to thrive.

As Blip continues to innovate and expand, it is not just shaping the future of text-based marketing—it is redefining how businesses and customers connect in an increasingly digital world.

The Funding Details

Blip recently secured $60 million in a Series C funding round led by SoftBank, with additional participation from Microsoft. This investment marks a significant milestone, providing the financial backing needed to scale its operations and expand globally.

The funding will enable Blip to further enhance its AI-driven platform, develop new features, and strengthen its integration with popular messaging apps like WhatsApp and Instagram. Additionally, the investment supports Blip’s plans to enter new markets, increase its workforce, and boost marketing efforts.

By leveraging the expertise and networks of SoftBank and Microsoft, Blip is well-positioned to maintain its competitive edge, innovate further, and solidify its status as a leader in the rapidly growing text marketing industry.

SoftBank’s Support and Global Expansion

SoftBank’s backing provides Blip with the resources and strategic expertise to accelerate its global expansion. Known for supporting transformative startups, SoftBank has a strong track record of scaling companies like Uber, Alibaba, and DoorDash into international powerhouses.

With SoftBank’s financial and advisory support, Blip can navigate new markets more effectively, leveraging SoftBank’s global network and industry insights. This partnership opens doors for Blip to penetrate regions with high growth potential, particularly in Asia and Latin America, where SoftBank has a strong presence.

SoftBank’s history of driving innovation and fostering scalability ensures that Blip has the tools to adapt to diverse market needs, strengthening its position as a global leader in text marketing solutions.

Future Outlook

In the coming years, Blip aims to expand its global presence, particularly in high-growth markets like Asia and Latin America. With continued investment in AI-driven solutions and new platform integrations, Blip plans to further enhance its customer engagement capabilities.

Blip is well-positioned to become a leader in the text marketing industry, thanks to its innovative tools, strong partnerships with SoftBank and Microsoft, and a proven track record of success. As businesses increasingly adopt AI-powered messaging solutions, Blip’s growth potential is significant, solidifying its role as a key player in the digital communication landscape.