InMobi (1), a global mobile advertising and discovery platform, was founded in 2007 by three Indian entrepreneurs - Naveen Tewari, Abhay Singhal, and Amit Gupta. The company has since grown to become one of the world's most successful mobile advertising startups, with a presence in over 200 countries. In this article, we will take a closer look at the InMobi story, the challenges the company faced along the way, and its current position in the mobile advertising industry.
The Birth of InMobi
InMobi was founded in 2007 by Naveen Tewari, Abhay Singhal, and Amit Gupta, who met while studying at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Kanpur. The three entrepreneurs saw an opportunity in the emerging mobile advertising industry and decided to start a company that would make it easy for businesses to advertise on mobile devices.
InMobi's early days were filled with challenges. The company struggled to find funding and faced skepticism from potential investors who were not yet convinced of the potential of mobile advertising. Despite these challenges, the founders were determined to make InMobi a success and continued to work on the company's technology and business model.
InMobi's Breakthrough
InMobi's breakthrough came in 2008 when the company launched its first mobile advertising platform. The platform was a hit with businesses and advertisers, who saw the potential of reaching customers on their mobile devices. InMobi quickly grew in popularity, and by 2009, the company had raised $8.1 million in funding from investors.
As InMobi continued to grow, the company faced new challenges. One of the biggest challenges was navigating the complex and constantly changing mobile advertising industry. InMobi had to stay on top of the latest trends and technologies to ensure that its platform remained competitive.
Another challenge was scaling the company's operations to meet the demands of a rapidly-growing customer base. InMobi had to hire and train new employees, build new infrastructure, and expand into new markets.
InMobi's Global Expansion
InMobi's mobile advertising industry's success soon caught international investors' attention. In 2011, the company raised $200 million in funding from investors, including SoftBank and Kleiner Perkins. With this funding, InMobi expanded its operations globally, focusing on emerging markets such as India, China, and Brazil.
InMobi's global expansion was not without its challenges. The company faced fierce competition from established players in the mobile advertising industry and local startups in the countries where it expanded. InMobi had to adapt its platform and business model to the unique requirements of each market.
InMobi's Current Position
Today, InMobi is one of the leading mobile advertising platforms in the world. The company has a presence in over 200 countries and works with some of the world's biggest brands and businesses. InMobi has also diversified its services, offering mobile marketing automation, mobile analytics, and mobile-first ad formats. InMobi has also acquired a few companies to expand its services and capabilities.
InMobi has also been recognized for its innovation and success, winning numerous awards and accolades. In 2011, the company was named one of the "50 Most Innovative Companies" by Fast Company, and in 2013, the company was named one of the "50 Smartest Companies" by MIT Technology Review.
In Retrospect
The InMobi story is a testament to the power of entrepreneurship and the potential of the mobile advertising industry. The company's founders, Naveen Tewari, Abhay Singhal, and Amit Gupta, saw an opportunity in the emerging mobile advertising industry and took a chance at a startup. Despite the challenges they faced along the way, they were determined to make InMobi a success.
Today, InMobi is one of the leading mobile advertising platforms in the world and continues to shape the industry with its innovative services and technology. With its global presence and diversified services, InMobi is well-positioned to continue its growth and success in the future.
One of the key factors that contributed to InMobi's success was the company's ability to adapt to the constantly-changing mobile advertising industry. The founders and management team were able to stay on top of the latest trends and technologies, and they were able to quickly pivot the company's platform and business model when necessary.
InMobi's global expansion was also a major factor in its success. By expanding into new markets, the company was able to tap into new customer bases and increase its revenue. The company's focus on emerging markets such as India, China, and Brazil also allowed it to capitalize on the rapid growth of mobile usage in these countries.
Another factor that contributed to InMobi's success was the company's strong team culture. The founders and management team were able to build a strong and dedicated team that was committed to the company's success. This team culture helped InMobi to navigate the challenges and obstacles it faced along the way.
InMobi's journey also proves the potential of Indian startups to scale globally and compete with the best in the world. The company's success story inspires entrepreneurs in India and around the world, showing them that with hard work, determination, and a willingness to adapt, they, too, can achieve success in their field.
