Gemini Mobile Closes Funding From Japan’s ACCESS, Aplix, Mitsubishi-UFJ and Nomura
SAN MATEO, Calif. and TOKYO, May 29 /PRNewswire/ — Gemini Mobile Technologies (TM), a leading developer of wireless software infrastructure, today announced that it has raised an additional financing round of $5 million from Japan’s ACCESS CO. LTD, Aplix Corporation and Nomura Securities. Previous investor, Mitsubishi-UFJ Capital, also invested in the round. The new financing follows the recent $20 million round from Goldman Sachs, underscoring the continued support for Gemini’s wireless software from companies worldwide.
In addition to the new financing, ACCESS and Aplix plan to explore the sales and distribution of Gemini’s messaging product and its new eXplo (TM) software, the world’s first 3D community platform for mobile phones that allows millions of users to chat, photo share and shop in a rich graphical world within their phones. Already, Gemini’s eXplo is the foundation of a new 3D interface from SoftBank Japan, named S! Town, which has gained significant users since it launched in late 2006.
“The combination of Gemini and ACCESS will provide our customers with powerful solutions as we expand our user base worldwide,” said Toru Arakawa, chief executive officer and co-founder of ACCESS.
“Aplix and Gemini have had a successful collaboration in integrating eXplo with Aplix’s JBlend(TM) platform to power SOFTBANK MOBILE’s S!Town service launched in late 2006,” said Ryu Koriyama, chairman and chief executive officer of Aplix. “We look forward to further extend our cooperation with Gemini in offering additional new & innovative products in the future.”
The new financing will be used for general business purposes including continued momentum of Gemini’s eXplo(TM) and international expansion.
About ACCESS CO., LTD.
ACCESS CO., LTD. is a global company providing leading technology, software products and platforms for web browsing, mobile phones, wireless handhelds and other networked devices. ACCESS’ product portfolio, including its NetFront(TM) Browser, Garnet(TM) OS (formerly Palm OS(R)) and ACCESS Linux Platform(TM), provides customers with solutions that enable faster time-to- market, flexibility and customizability. The Company, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, operates 27 subsidiaries and affiliates within Asia, Europe and the United States. ACCESS is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers Index under the number 4813. For more information about ACCESS, please visit http://www.access-company.com/.
About Aplix Corp.
Aplix Corporation is the global leader in deploying Java technology in mobile phones. Aplix was first established in 1986 and has been a Sun Java licensee since 1996. Aplix was publicly listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Mothers) in 2003. On August 24, 2004 Aplix and the Taiwan based company iaSolution finalized the integration of the corporations.
Headquarters: Tokyo Other offices: Yokosuka, Okinawa, San Francisco, Munich, Taipei, Shanghai, Beijing, and Seoul For more information, please visit: http://www.aplixcorp.com/ and http://www.iasolution.net/.
About Mitsubishi UFJ Capital
Mitsubishi UFJ Capital, headquartered in Tokyo, is one of the leaders in the field of private equity investment in Japan. Mitsubishi UFJ Capital has financed more than 1000 companies, about 300 of which have gone public. Through collaboration with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital offers a diverse line of financial solutions. For more information, visit http://www.mucap.co.jp/.
About Nomura Group
Nomura is a global financial services group dedicated to providing a broad range of financial services for individual, institutional, corporate and government clients. The Group offers a diverse line of competitive products and value-added financial and advisory solutions through its global headquarters in Tokyo, over 150 branches in Japan, and an international network in 30 countries; with regional headquarters in Hong Kong, London, and New York. The Group’s business activities include investment consultation and brokerage services for retail investors in Japan, and, on a global basis, brokerage services, securities underwriting, investment banking advisory services, merchant banking, and asset management. For further information about Nomura please visit our website at http://www.nomura.com/.
About Gemini Mobile Technologies
Gemini Mobile Technologies, headquartered in San Mateo, California, is a leading developer of wireless software infrastructure. The company’s Hyperscale(R) Technology is the foundation for its two products: a messaging platform and a community platform called eXplo. Customers include Vodafone, Alcatel-Lucent, SoftBank Japan and Telecom Italia (TIM). The company’s development efforts are distributed across China, Japan and the United States and it has offices in Asia and Europe. For more information, visit http://www.geminimobile.com/.
Copyright 2007. Gemini Mobile Technologies, HyperScale and eXplo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Gemini Mobile Technologies. S! TOWN and Arrange Mail are trademarks of SoftBank Mobile Corporation. All other products or service names are the property of their respective owners.
Media Contacts: For US David Conner Access Communications 415-844-6233 dconner@accesspr.com For Japan Keizo Fukahori Gemini Mobile Technologies 90-7822-0591 fukahori@geminimobile.com
Gemini Mobile Technologies
CONTACT: US, David Conner, of Access Communications, +1-415-844-6233,dconner@accesspr.com; or Japan, Keizo Fukahori of Gemini Mobile Technologies,90-7822-0591, fukahori@geminimobile.com
Web site: http://www.geminimobile.com/