Swype adds Nokia, Samsung to investor list
Start-up Swype has made no secret that its goal is to take-over text input for all mobile phones, and it appears to be one step closer. The company, whose technology relies on quick tracing motions on touchscreen phones, today announced it has secured $5.6 million in series B funding, including from world’s largest handset maker Nokia (NYSE:NOK).
Today’s financing was led by Samsung Ventures, Nokia Growth Partners and returning investor Benaroya Capital. Swype said it plans to use the money to further fuel its partnerships integrating Swype technology into more mobile handsets and ultimately expanding to other touch and remote screen devices.
The addition of Nokia and Samsung to its investors means that the company has locked up the two largest device makers as financial backers. The software made its commercial debut on the Samsung Omnia II late last month, and the company has promised Android support in the future. Samsung was also one of the first to get on board with T9, the predicative text software that Swype founder Cliff Kushler also invented. A partner like Samsung should help the company expand across a number of devices, including tablets and TVs. And, although Nokia did not confirm whether Swype would be embedded in future handsets, the relationship could presumably significantly expand Swype’s global reach. Swype is aiming to make the software available in every language and today supports more than 20.
