Skype Acquires GroupMe

Snaps up year-old group messaging specialist for $50m plus.

New York based GroupMe was only founded in 2010 so this represents a short term bonanza for its founders.

It's also the latest in a series of high profile swoops for group messaging firms that began with Facebook's deal to buy Beluga earlier this year.

GroupMe's platform lets mobile users text, share locations and photos and make plans with groups of contacts. There's been something of a frenzy around firms offering these sorts of services that reached a peak at the trendy SXSW conference.

Of course, Skype is already the biggest VOIP firm in the world, has a well-established mobile presence and is now owned by Microsoft. The assumption is that GroupMe will now be integrated into its WinPho OS.

"There is a natural affinity between Skype and GroupMe and our goal is to continue developing tools that make it easier for people to communicate, share, and stay in touch with their close and important ties,” said Jared Hecht, GroupMe’s co-founder.