| Industry | Telecommunications Internet Computer software |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1 January 1999  |
| Founders | Ben Volach Dan Volach |
| Fate | Acquired |
| Successor | NeuStar, Inc. |
| Headquarters | , United Kingdom |
| Products | Mobile Messenger Interconnect Platform Presence Platform |
| Brands | iFollow |
Number of employees | 180 (2006) |
| Website | www |
Followap was a company that developed mobile instant messaging (MIM) and presence software for mobile operators. It was founded in 1999 and managed by Dan Volach and Ben Volach in the United Kingdom. [1] [2]
Followap launched the first commercial mobile messenger service in 2000 in partnership with Eircell, Ireland's mobile network operator. [1] It later worked with several European mobile operators, such as Bouygues Telecom in France, to supply messaging and presence platforms. [3]
According to the company, Followap’s customers included the Vodafone Group, Hutchison 3G Group, BT Group, Turkcell, Telecom Italia, Wind, and VimpelCom. [1]
Followap developed messaging platforms that allowed mobile network operators to provide interoperable instant messaging services. [4] In March 2003, Followap announced that its iFollow v2.2 product was certified under the Wireless Village/OMA IMPS standard for instant messaging and presence. [5] The company also reported partnerships with handset manufacturers, such as LG, which introduced its IM client for mobile phones. [6] It further claims that Turkcell selected its solution for its “TurkcellMessenger” service and that it supports standards such as OMA, 3GPP, and IETF (including XMPP). [7]
The company was acquired by NeuStar for approx. $140M in cash, in November 2006. Investors included Sequoia Capital and Carmel Ventures. [8] [1]
- 1 2 3 4 "Followap – Company History". Followap. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
- ↑ "Followap". Startup Luxembourg Directory. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
- ↑ Light Reading. "Followap Expands Presence". Light Reading. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
- ↑ Sylvers, Eric (2006-07-10). "Wireless: Medium and messaging - Instant versus text - Technology - International Herald Tribune". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331 . Retrieved 2020-08-31.
- ↑ "Followap Announces General Availability of iFollow v2.2 – Certified Wireless Village / OMA IMPS". Followap. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
- ↑ "LG Introduces Followap's IM Client to its Mobile Phones". Followap. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
- ↑ "Turkcell Selects Followap's Presence and IM Solution; Turkcell Messenger Enables Innovative Presence-Aware Communication Services". Followap. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
- ↑ "NeuStar Buys Followap for $139M". Light Reading . 28 Nov 2006.