BMW i Ventures is investing an undisclosed amount in Life360, a tech company that specializes in creating apps that make it easier for family members to track each other down. When the i3 and i8 plug-in electric vehicles debut over the next couple years, the cars could play a role in connecting people.
Exactly how BMW plans to integrate Life360 into the upcoming cars – or if it is at all – was not revealed in the official announcement. Instead, we hear non-commital phrases like,"BMW and Life360 will explore ways to co-operate on innovative, location-based and integrated services for families," from Ulrich Quay, Managing Director of BMW i Ventures. "One in-car possibility could be a smooth and seamless navigation to family members in multiple locations."
Life360, which is based in San Francisco, is used by more than 14 million families totaling about 31 million users. The company was founded in 2008 and makes location and communication apps for Android and iPhone users. This is BMW's i Ventures fifth investment.
BMW is slated to debut its i3 battery-electric later this year. The plug-in is the successor to the ActiveE that is leased now in limited numbers. The i8 plug-in hybrid will start sales in 2014. BMW also showed off a coupe concept version of the i3 at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. Read BMW's i Ventures press release below.
Exactly how BMW plans to integrate Life360 into the upcoming cars – or if it is at all – was not revealed in the official announcement. Instead, we hear non-commital phrases like,"BMW and Life360 will explore ways to co-operate on innovative, location-based and integrated services for families," from Ulrich Quay, Managing Director of BMW i Ventures. "One in-car possibility could be a smooth and seamless navigation to family members in multiple locations."
Life360, which is based in San Francisco, is used by more than 14 million families totaling about 31 million users. The company was founded in 2008 and makes location and communication apps for Android and iPhone users. This is BMW's i Ventures fifth investment.
BMW is slated to debut its i3 battery-electric later this year. The plug-in is the successor to the ActiveE that is leased now in limited numbers. The i8 plug-in hybrid will start sales in 2014. BMW also showed off a coupe concept version of the i3 at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. Read BMW's i Ventures press release below.
BMW i Ventures announces strategic investment in the largest family mobile app company - Life360.
- Further increasing safety, security and mobility through innovative mobility services.
New York. The BMW Group continues diversifying its portfolio of innovative mobility services under the brand BMW i. The company's venture capital entity, BMW i Ventures, is announcing a new investment in the mobile technology company Life360. This will increase the number of mobility services providers which already includes MyCityWay, Park@MyHouse, Chargepoint and Embark. The BMW i Ventures investment in Life360 will expand the company's efforts to increase freedom and safety of mobility for individuals and families.
"I am pleased to announce that BMW i Ventures is making its fifth strategic investment, this time in Life360 – the largest family-focused mobile app, enabling more than 14 million families to stay in sync during their busy lives", says Ulrich Quay, Managing Director of BMW i Ventures, LLC. "Life360 offers a great addition to our portfolio and advances BMW's vision of convenient, safe and efficient mobility. With this investment, BMW and Life360 will explore ways to co-operate on innovative, location-based and integrated services for families. One in-car possibility could be a smooth and seamless navigation to family members in multiple locations."
Chris Hulls, Co-Founder and CEO of Life360: "We are very excited to announce the investment from BMW i Ventures, and are looking forward to all the ways we can partner to develop integrated services. Life360 has always had a strong interest in the connected car space, and this allows us to explore those ideas like never before."
About Life360
With over 30 million users, Life360 is the leading location and communication app for families using Android or iPhone. Using location-based technology, Life360 enables parents to see where their children are, know when they need help and identify the nearest safety resources when needed. The app operates in a convenient and secure way that does not interfere with busy schedules or personal freedom. Founded in 2008, Life360 placed first in Google's Android Developer Challenge in that same year and has received funding from several prominent investors.
About BMW i Ventures
The BMW Group has founded BMW i Ventures – a Venture Capital Company based in New York City – to provide early and mid-stage investments with high potential in the area of Mobility Services. These are services that make mobility smarter, more efficient and more flexible. BMW i Ventures aims for strategic, long-term partnerships especially in the areas of e-mobility, navigation, parking, car sharing and intermodal mobility solutions.
BMW i Ventures is part of the brand BMW i, which is about the design and development of visionary vehicles and mobility services and a new perception of premium guided by sustainability.
- Further increasing safety, security and mobility through innovative mobility services.
New York. The BMW Group continues diversifying its portfolio of innovative mobility services under the brand BMW i. The company's venture capital entity, BMW i Ventures, is announcing a new investment in the mobile technology company Life360. This will increase the number of mobility services providers which already includes MyCityWay, Park@MyHouse, Chargepoint and Embark. The BMW i Ventures investment in Life360 will expand the company's efforts to increase freedom and safety of mobility for individuals and families.
"I am pleased to announce that BMW i Ventures is making its fifth strategic investment, this time in Life360 – the largest family-focused mobile app, enabling more than 14 million families to stay in sync during their busy lives", says Ulrich Quay, Managing Director of BMW i Ventures, LLC. "Life360 offers a great addition to our portfolio and advances BMW's vision of convenient, safe and efficient mobility. With this investment, BMW and Life360 will explore ways to co-operate on innovative, location-based and integrated services for families. One in-car possibility could be a smooth and seamless navigation to family members in multiple locations."
Chris Hulls, Co-Founder and CEO of Life360: "We are very excited to announce the investment from BMW i Ventures, and are looking forward to all the ways we can partner to develop integrated services. Life360 has always had a strong interest in the connected car space, and this allows us to explore those ideas like never before."
About Life360
With over 30 million users, Life360 is the leading location and communication app for families using Android or iPhone. Using location-based technology, Life360 enables parents to see where their children are, know when they need help and identify the nearest safety resources when needed. The app operates in a convenient and secure way that does not interfere with busy schedules or personal freedom. Founded in 2008, Life360 placed first in Google's Android Developer Challenge in that same year and has received funding from several prominent investors.
About BMW i Ventures
The BMW Group has founded BMW i Ventures – a Venture Capital Company based in New York City – to provide early and mid-stage investments with high potential in the area of Mobility Services. These are services that make mobility smarter, more efficient and more flexible. BMW i Ventures aims for strategic, long-term partnerships especially in the areas of e-mobility, navigation, parking, car sharing and intermodal mobility solutions.
BMW i Ventures is part of the brand BMW i, which is about the design and development of visionary vehicles and mobility services and a new perception of premium guided by sustainability.
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