BT has acquired the two-year-old Silicon Valley-based Ribbit Corporation for $105m in cash.
Based in Mountain View, California, Ribbit provides an open system that enables software developers to add voice and automation features to virtually any web-based application.
For example, using Ribbit, developers have integrated voice into salesforce.com and built voice applications that run directly from Facebook or iGoogle.
Since its launch, Ribbit has attracted thousands of developers, launched a solution for the enterprise software market, and has begun testing a consumer application scheduled for general release later this year.
The acquisition of Ribbit's software will complement BT’s existing Software Development Kits (SDKs) that enable developers to integrate new applications with BT’s services.
Michael Boustridge, president of BT Americas, said: 'The Ribbit platform makes it simpler, cheaper and faster to build communications functionality into applications, enabling developers to introduce new revenue-generating voice services in hours, rather than weeks.'
Ribbit Corporation was founded in February 2006 and funded by venture capital firms Alsop Louie Partners, Allegis Capital, KPG Ventures and Peninsula Ventures. Ribbit is being acquired from these firms and other stockholders of Ribbit’s, including founders and employees.
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