Business social network Viadeo has acquired Dutch start-up Soocial as ‘the French LinkedIn’ fattens its business for a potential IPO.
According to the company, Soocial’s contact management and universal contact synchronisation will improve user experience on Viadeo’s network and allow members to sync their contacts across more than 500 platforms, messaging services and devices, including PCs and smartphones.
Both companies supplied the usual somewhat banal quotes about working together, but this is still interesting. While LinkedIn’s share price has suffered lately, its IPO was largely successful and business social networks certainly have longevity.
By stealth and acquisitions in India and China, Viadeo now has more than 40 million members and offices in San Francisco, Mexico, Senegal (!) as well as London, Madrid, Beijing, and New Delhi. Is the acquisition of Soocial a springboard to an upcoming IPO?… perhaps.
Monty Munford has more than 15 years' experience in mobile, digital media, web and journalism. He is the founder of Mob76, a company that helps tech companies raise money and exit. He speaks regularly at global media events with a focus on Africa, writes a weekly column for The Telegraph, is a regular contributor to The Economist, Wired, Mashable and speaks regularly on the BBC World Service.
