[UK] Collaboration startup Huddle has secured something of a first for a company of its size, and location. It’s signed a two-year deal with Hewlett Packard to enable direct access to its service on the 25 million business PCs HP sells annually.
Huddle will be in a suite of five trial applications included on every HP business computer, starting in the U.S. and extending to the rest of the world. That’s quite a big deal for a startup this size – and relatively unusual for one not even based in the U.S.
The deal is based on a revenue split with HP on new signups to the service, which effectively offers a discount for HP customers on Huddle’s tools. The other programs will include three HP- services and antivirus software from Symantec.
Huddle is a network of secure online workspaces where you can share files, collaborate on ideas, manage projects and organize virtual meetings. Currently 40% of its paying customers are in the U.S., according to Andy McLoughlin, co-founder and strategy director. The three-year-old company, which raised £2.3m from Eden Ventures in 2007, says it is close to break even and is looking for another round of financing to fund expansion.
The deal follows Huddle’s launch of web conferencing, integration with Microsoft Office, and an iPhone app last month.
I daresay Huddle’s integration with LinkedIn and Intercall may well have helped the HP deal.
Congrats guys – world domination is one step closer
This is a great deal for Huddle. Congrats. However now you need to make sure it counts and you get the most out of it.
More installed crapware that admins will have to clean before the PC becomes useful.
My thoughts exactly.
+1
Is Huddle REALLY that good?
What actual companies actually leave the bloatware on machines when purchased from HP, DELL, IBM and the like?
In my experience, they are all installed with customer operating environments before being deployed to staff.
great Deal – good News for European founders
Great news!
Congrats Ali!
Great deal and good luck with the financing. Sounds like you need US investment not European.
Really exciting move – well done – a very grownup deal – will make the market really sit up and listen…….
#awesome
I’ve used huddle, great idea but bad execution. It’s slow and buggy.
Excellent dictionary word business name. Based off of a real word but isnt limiting. They can change and expand and not ever have to rebrand. Go Huddle!
Isn’t Huddle a webapp? The deal apparently “enable[s] direct access to its service” – what does this mean?
Does it mean “places a browser bookmark on the user’s desktop”?
If so, I’m not sure that’s really anything to shout about.
Have you tried out Injoos Teamware. I would reckon that they have the most comprehensive integrated collaboration platform. With their latest release they have added a new twist to track and execute projects “the social way”. Checkout their Blog http://injoos.com/blog/2009/10/09/seamless-collaboration-with-release-35/
Congrats guys, awesome job as always! You deserve it!