Hike Messenger
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| Initial release | December 12, 2012 |
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| Preview release |
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| Operating system | iOS, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry OS, Symbian |
| Available in | 9 languages |
| Type |
Instant messaging Voice over IP |
| License | Freeware |
| Website | get |
Hike Messenger (stylized as hike) is a cross-platform instant messaging service for smartphones that uses the internet for communication. In addition to text messaging, users can send each other graphical stickers, emoticons, images, videos, audios, files, voice messages, contacts and user location.
Hike was launched on 12 December 2012 and raised its first round of funding of $7 million from Bharti SoftBank in April 2013. Hike is a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises and SoftBank. On 16 August 2016 Hike raised $175 million in a new round of funding led by Tencent & Foxconn. After raising this round Hike Messenger reached the valuation of $1.4 Billion. Hike's founder is Kavin Bharti Mittal.
Hike Messenger is an Indian messaging app. Launched on 12 December 2012, Hike attained 15 million users in February 2014 and raised $14 million for its development. Over the next few months, the application introduced free text messaging across India, chat themes, updated stickers, hidden chats and revamped user interface. In August 2014, Hike reached 35 million users and raised $65 million in a funding round led by Tiger Global.
Hike Messenger made its first acquisition in 2015, buying free voice-calling company Zip Phones, which allowed it to launch free app based calling services that are emerging as a key draw for users.
In 2015, Hike launched the "Great Indian Sticker Challenge" to invite designers to design new stickers. According to the company, 30% of the traffic comes from stickers.
In October 2015, the CEO of hike announced that the user base of hike had reached 70 million, with more than 20 billion messages shared each month. and in December according to hike blog hike is sharing over 1 billion messages every single day and 30 billion+ messages a month. As of January 2016 hike has crossed the mark of 100 million users. "Crossing 100 million users is a milestone for us and we have achieved this magic number well ahead of our expectations," Hike Messenger founder and CEO Kavin Bharti Mittal said in a statement.
They have partnered with companies including Cafe Coffee Day, Pizza Hut, and Dominos, to give coupons as rewards.
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Wikipedia