The video chat space is heating up. TokBox, a San Francisco-based Web video communications provider, announced Monday the close of a $12 million Series C round led by DAG Ventures, with participation from existing investors Bain Capital and Sequoia Capital. Since launching in October 2007, the company has raised a total of $26.4 million.
With all the other Web-based video chat companies out there, what makes TokBox different? The company launched in 2007 with the aim of providing a download-free chat experience. Problem solved: Chatroulette. Right? Wrong (on many levels). TokBox isn’t a video chat room, like speed-dating site, WooMe, or Facebook video chat app, vChatter. Rather, developers can build their own app using TokBox’s Javascript APIs to embed video chat conversations in any Web page.
In addition to the company’s new funds, it’s also announcing the launch of OpenTok, a new platform that will allow a group of up to 20 people to chat while browsing the Web. Using TokBox’s Javascript APIs, developers can build a flexible, customizable app to provide a multi-way video chat experience that can take place on different Web pages simultaneously.
“To date, video chat has taken place in a silo,” said Roelof Botha, partner at Sequoia Capital and TokBox board member, in a prepared statement. “The reality is that meaningful conversations are sparked when users encounter content and experiences they want to share. With OpenTok, video chat can easily be integrated into any Web experience, increasing consumer engagement and we believe, ultimately unlocking the potential of video communications on the Web.”
Obviously, this platform has a wide range of potential applications, from social to commercial, and thousands of people who aren’t participating in the chat can watch it, which presents a number of opportunities for businesses who want to hold training sessions, meetings, and more.
With up to 20 people participating in a video chat, there’s going to be a lot of background noise, so TokBox also provides several solutions such as echo suppression and auto-production, which switches video streams to highlight the person who’s talking.
To get an idea for what TokBox’s platform actually offers, Web users can check out the company’s website where several different apps are currently available for group chatting, including TrendTok, which allows users to chat about real-time Twitter trends; YapMap, a location-based chat application; and FaceOff, a memory game that you can play against other users in a live video setting. The picture above shows me chatting all by my lonesome in TrendTok.
Some of TokBox’s early stage partners include eBuddy, an IM aggregator; The Real News Network, a nonprofit news network; speed-dating site, WinkVid; education service provider, TutorTrove; Assembla, which provides work spaces for distributed software teams; and PokerView, a live poker portal.
“By building live, multi-way video chat into our new debate and discussion page, we can now have our users take part in lively, face-to-face exchanges with each other as well as a live studio panel and audience – just as if they were sitting in a room together,” said Ziggy Jeffery, Co-Director of New Technology and Social Media with The Real News Network, in the company's announcement. “These conversations are the key to having our audience engage with one another and the Web site at an unprecedented new level.”
Amish Jani, Founder and Partner at FirstMark, joined the company's Board of Directors
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WooMe is an online speed dating platorm that leverages cutting edge in-browser voip and video technology to enable users to meet new people in a fast, fun and free fashion. Meet five people in five minutes in live topical speed sessions such as "Vator.tv lovers in Los Angeles."
WooMe brings the speed dating craze online and extends it to let users meet new people live in fast, fun and free speed sessions. There are no long forms or lengthy profile descriptions, simply find a session that interests you and meet 5 people in 5 minutes. Or, create your own sessions based on your interests, such as "TechCrunch Readers in San Fran". Invite friends or strangers to play with you and immediately decide if you are woo'd by someone. WooMe's in-browser video and voice capability delivers a live interactive experience where users play for fun, to hook up, or just meet new people around shared interests. There are no tedious profiles, no software to download, and best of all it's free.
Backed by Niklas Zennström's (Skype Founder) Atomico Investments, the original investors in Skype (Mangrove Capital), and Klaus Hommels (Europe's Investor of the Year, 2006), WooMe is catapulting the $1 billion+ speed dating market into the online world. With WooMe, meeting people online is transformed into a live interactive experience that makes sifting through contrived profiles a thing of the past.
Founded in 2006, WooMe's management team has experience in bringing innovative web applications to market for companies including: AltaVista, CMGI, BT, Accenture, Qwest, Shopzilla, Trilogy. Stephen Stokols, Co-Founder/CEO, successfully sold an internet start-up and went on to become BT's youngest VP, growing their eCommerce revenues over 300% to over $1bn in his first 12 months. George Berkowski, Co-Founder/Product Director, brings extensive technical and marketing experience in the online space and in outer space (he played a role in sending the first tourist to the Space Station).
Startup/Business
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Launched on May 20, 2010 vChatter is already the top video chat application on Facebook. vChatter allows you to connect with friends or discover new friendships all over the world.
Startup/Business
Joined Vator on
TokBox is a video chat and video message service that is changing the way people communicate. We're looking for talented people to be part of bringing about that change.
Based in downtown San Francisco, CA, we're a top-tier start-up with a small, dynamic team passionate about building an out-of-this-world user experience and having fun in the process.
We are currently looking for talented individuals for the following roles. If you think you are the perfect candidate, we would love to hear from you.
