Mobile App Startup Kibits Intros Productivity App For On-The-Fly Teamwork

Companies were "hunting for solutions," said Matt Cutler, Collaborate.com co-founder and CEO.

In response, Kibits designed Collaborate.com to give users real-time access to people, documents, tasks, links, locations, photos and videos, as well as chat, comments and ratings.

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Using patent-pending real-time communication infrastructure, secured by 256-bit SSL network encryption, the app is meant to help keep teams on the same page and accelerate decision-making, including field sales force management, field service issue resolution and warehouse inventory control, according to Kibits.

Cutler said Collaborate.com is the first genuine mobile-native project management app, and it integrates fluidly with common cloud services, including Dropbox, Apple iCloud, Evernote and Google Drive.

Google Ventures helped Kidbits raise $1 million in 2011 when the startup was operating out of the Dogpatch Labs incubator in Boston.

"They've been a fantastic partner," Cutler said, adding that Google has provided experience, ideas and relationships to the startup.

Cutler and co-founder David Greenstein have raised $2.3 million from backers like CommonAngels, Charles River Ventures, Commonwealth Capital Ventures, Launch Capital and General Catalyst, among others.

Cutler was reluctant to discuss specifics but, referencing recent estimates from industry analyst firm Collaborative Strategies Inc., said the worldwide market for collaboration software and services could be worth $40 billion.

The numbers can be seductive, said Cutler, whose pedigree includes NetGenesis, a leading provider of Web analytics software that went public in 2000, and direct-to-consumer mobile media firm 80108 Media, which became go2 Media.

But right now, the company is trying to proceed methodically to create five solid partnerships during the first one to two quarters of fiscal year 2013, he said. "You build success one relationship at a time."

Cutler did say that in time he expects VARs to become core partners, representing a sizeable percentage of total revenue.

Collaborate.com is free for teams of up to five and is available immediately for iPhone, iPod Touch, Android and the Web.

Tiered pricing for larger teams begins at $9.99 per month. Partners would get a recurring percentage of those subscription fees.

PUBLISHED JUNE 19, 2013