07.28.2015
GovDelivery, the leading cloud-based digital communication solution for government, has acquired Textizen, an innovative platform that allows government to reach the public via mobile messaging to promote citizen action, engagement, and behavior change. Adding Textizen’s capability to GovDelivery provides government with the ability to customize interactive experiences meeting citizens where they are today — the mobile device. Financial terms were not disclosed. The entire Textizen team will join GovDelivery immediately.
GovDelivery is seeing massive demand for mobile messaging with government organizations using its platform to sends hundreds of millions of text messages and billions of mobile email messages annually. This acquisition allows GovDelivery to offer a new level of interactivity to its government customers.
“The Textizen team has demonstrated that it can use interactive text messaging technology and creative problem solving to help improve government and engage citizens,” said Scott Burns, CEO and co-founder of GovDelivery. “Textizen’s capabilities allow us to help government succeed in the critical area of driving individuals to take action.”
As part of Code for America’s inaugural Incubator program, the Textizen team scaled a solution that was piloted within the Code for America fellowship program serving the City of Philadelphia. The solution was proven on a small scale before expanding to more government organizations, showing measurable results in public participation, human services and youth outreach. The acquisition follows a successful partnership between GovDelivery and Textizen.
“This is the first acquisition of a company incubated by Code for America and a validation of both the desire by local governments to meet people where they are and the role of the civic technology movement in revitalizing the government ecosystem,” said Jennifer Pahlka, founder and executive director, Code for America.
“We are thrilled to join GovDelivery and bring Textizen’s capabilities to even more government organizations of all sizes,” said Michelle Lee, Textizen co-founder. “GovDelivery helps over 1,000 government clients reach over 80 million people. At that scale, we can help even more government organizations keep pace, stay relevant, and offer engagement channels for all.”
Government organizations can register for a webinar on August 19th or download a guide to learn more about text messaging for government.
Existing GovDelivery clients can add Textizen to their instance at a discount through the end of 2015.
govdelivery.com
