Boston Startup Jana knows why Whatsapp is worth $19Bn

Jana, a Boston based startup launches new tool to reach next billion consumers on their mobile phones. Jana Mobile uses frictionless transactions to reward consumer action in emerging markets with a highly-valued currency equivalent mobile airtime. Through Jana’s Marketplace, brands can reach out to people via their phones and entice them to watch a video, discover an app or try a new service in exchange for mobile air time.

Consumers in the emerging markets are spending 10 percent of their daily income on mobile airtime, while global advertisers are spending more than $150 billion to reach them through traditional advertising channels. Jana aims to cut this down to at least 5% which is a win-win situation for both the parties. The tool allows advertisers to opt for two types of ads. The short videos and app install ads and send those to mobile users around the globe. The user gets a payment credited to their mobile account to cover the cost of consuming the content.

The startup currently has tie-ups with 237 telecom operators, in 102 countries, giving access to 3.48 billion mobile phones.

So why can Jana change the future of mobile advertising?

• Jana achieves a good value exchange by delivering real value monetary funds that help consumers earn mobile air time which saves a lot of money.
• Jana leads to a new virtual currency of mobile credits. With a population of 3.5 billion users and growing, this global currency could become a more valuable currency in certain emerging markets by providing a seamless transaction.
• Jana would act as an initiator to data-driven marketing in emerging markets. It helps us to best incentivize commerce and add value to stories.
• In a world where mobile is less about advertising and more about services and utilities, Jana provides people what they want and marketers with flexibility and also help partners grow.

Probably this should answer why Facebook brought Whatsapp worth $19Bn. Right?

Share your views on how Jana is going to change the world.

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