Multimedia Victoria - Yoober Internet Text Technology Clicks into Asia

Yoober Internet Text Technology Clicks into Asia


Media release - 3 March 2008

New Victorian mobile tech company Yoober today sealed a new investment and distribution deal with Hong-Kong company Digital Dimension, signing a Memorandum of Understanding, with the Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Theo Theophanous.

Yoober is a mobile phone application letting text messages to be sent and received via the internet. Its current community-based model has already grown to a membership of over 60,000 people across the US, India, Norway, Indonesia and Malaysia.

"New web based mobile texting technology, developed by Yoober here in Melbourne, has captivated Hong Kong technology bank Digital Dimension who has come to the table to invest in this Victorian company’s future," Mr Theophanous said.

"This investment and distribution deal, won with support from the Brumby Government, will help expand the company internationally and establish Yoober Asia.

"The Brumby Government sees itself as a catalyst, helping the local industry flourish – and we are proud to be supporting high calibre local companies, like Yoober, to secure these sorts of fantastic investments.

"It is testament to the quality and cutting-edge nature of our Victorian ICT companies that they are consistently attracting vital capital investors to our shores.

"It is also a testament to the support the Brumby Government has provided across the ICT industry to support and encourage investment and advancement that leads to new technologies and ultimately, creates new jobs."

With Victoria's high-tech capabilities and entrepreneurial spirit, we hope to cultivate many more of these types of partnerships into the future."

Yoober's founder, Alex Gelbak, said he was delighted with the deal and excited about expanding the company in key South East Asian markets.

"With this investment, we're now in a great position to advance in Asia, with the right support in place to secure key licensing agreements with overseas telcos and media companies," Mr Gelbak said.

Yoober met with its new partners for the first time in Hong Kong, after winning support from the Brumby Government’s ICT Trade Events and Export Assistance Program. The program provides grants to export-ready local enterprise, to help them make international trips to trade fairs, and grow their business globally.

Since 1999, the Victorian Labor Government has provided more than 600 Victorian ICT companies with over 1,200 grants, generating projected exports of $1.76 billion.