Jana, a start-up based in Boston, announced $57 million in Series C funding for its plan “to make the Internet free for the next billion people”
Jana’s mCent Android app, which launched in July 2014, enables users to use third-party apps that come with free, mobile access thanks to Jana’s partnerships with mobile operators. The company says 30 million people have now benefited from its app. Jana is now the second largest mobile advertising platform in India next to Google.
Jana intends to expand into China and has formed partnerships with China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom.
The new funding was led by Verizon Ventures with participation from existing investors, Spark Capital and Publicis Groupe. Additionally, Tim Armstrong, Chairman and CEO of AOL, will serve on Jana’s advisory board.
