Bump (application)
Encyclopedia
Bump is an application created by Bump Technologies for the Apple iOS and Google
Android operating systems. It allows two smartphone
users to bump their phones together to exchange contact information, photos, and other objects between phones. It was the billionth application downloaded on Apple's App Store, and is the eighth most popular free app of all time. It is free to download for both platforms.
friends.
Bump Technologies worked with PayPal
in March 2010 to create a PayPal iPhone application. The application allows two users to bump money between their accounts using the application, and has found widespread adoption. A similar version was released for Android in August 2010.
, while he was attending the University of Chicago Booth School of Business for his MBA. While entering contact information into his iPhone
, he felt that the process could be improved. His fellow Texas Instrument employees Andy Huibers and Jake Mintz joined Lieb to form Bump Technologies. Early funding for the project was provided by startup incubator Y Combinator
, Sequoia Capital
and other angel investor
s. It gained attention at the CTIA
international wireless conference, due to its accessibility and novelty factor.
In January 2011, Bump secured a $16M series B financing round led by Andreessen Horowitz.
Google
Google Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
Android operating systems. It allows two smartphone
Smartphone
A smartphone is a high-end mobile phone built on a mobile computing platform, with more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contemporary feature phone. The first smartphones were devices that mainly combined the functions of a personal digital assistant and a mobile phone or camera...
users to bump their phones together to exchange contact information, photos, and other objects between phones. It was the billionth application downloaded on Apple's App Store, and is the eighth most popular free app of all time. It is free to download for both platforms.
Functionality
Bump allows users to send contact information, photos, and other objects between phones. Before bumping phones, each user confirms what he or she wants to send to the other user. To use the application, two people bump their phones together, and within about five to ten seconds, a screen appears on both users' screens allowing them to confirm what they want to send to each other. When two users bump their phones, the data is automatically sent through a separate internet server to the other user, which is able to detect when any two phones using the application bump each other. A newer aspect of the application allows two people to bump in order to become FacebookFacebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
friends.
Bump Technologies worked with PayPal
PayPal
PayPal is an American-based global e-commerce business allowing payments and money transfers to be made through the Internet. Online money transfers serve as electronic alternatives to paying with traditional paper methods, such as checks and money orders....
in March 2010 to create a PayPal iPhone application. The application allows two users to bump money between their accounts using the application, and has found widespread adoption. A similar version was released for Android in August 2010.
History
The idea for Bump was conceived by David Lieb, a former employee of Texas InstrumentsTexas Instruments
Texas Instruments Inc. , widely known as TI, is an American company based in Dallas, Texas, United States, which develops and commercializes semiconductor and computer technology...
, while he was attending the University of Chicago Booth School of Business for his MBA. While entering contact information into his iPhone
IPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
, he felt that the process could be improved. His fellow Texas Instrument employees Andy Huibers and Jake Mintz joined Lieb to form Bump Technologies. Early funding for the project was provided by startup incubator Y Combinator
Y Combinator
Y Combinator is an American seed-stage startup funding firm, started in March 2005. Y Combinator provides seed money, advice, and connections at two 3-month programs per year...
, Sequoia Capital
Sequoia Capital
Sequoia Capital is a Californian venture capital firm located on Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park, California. The Wall Street Journal has called Sequoia Capital "one of the highest-caliber venture firms", and noted that it is "one of Silicon Valley's most influential venture-capital firms"...
and other angel investor
Angel investor
An angel investor or angel is an affluent individual who provides capital for a business start-up, usually in exchange for convertible debt or ownership equity...
s. It gained attention at the CTIA
CTIA
CTIA may refer to:* Color Television Interface Adaptor, a custom chip inside early Atari 8-bit computers* CTIA – The Wireless Association* Cape Town International Airport...
international wireless conference, due to its accessibility and novelty factor.
In January 2011, Bump secured a $16M series B financing round led by Andreessen Horowitz.