Pocket, a US-based web content bookmarking platform backed by a range of corporates, has been acquired by browser developer Mozilla for an undisclosed sum on Monday.
Pocket operates a platform that enables users to save articles to consume at a later point without ads and cleaned-up formatting. The company started out as an extension for Mozilla’s Firefox browser before expanding into a more full-fledged offering that supported other browsers.
Pocket marks Mozilla’s first strategic acquisition and follows collaborative efforts between the two companies to more closely integrate Pocket’s platform into Firefox.
Pocket had raised a total of $14.5m in funding, most recently obtaining $7m in a series C round in 2015 led by New Enterprise Associates. The series C round also featured publisher Axel Springer and internet company Digital Garage, as well as Sound Ventures, Foundation Capital, Queensbridge Venture Partners, Kyle Bruck and Jared Kopf.
GV, the investment arm of conglomerate Alphabet then known as Google Ventures, backed a $2.5m series A round in 2011 alongside Foundation Capital, Baseline Ventures and Founder Collective. GV, Foundation and Baseline then returned for a $5m series B round the following year.
Nate Weiner, chief executive of Pocket, said: “We have really enjoyed partnering with Mozilla over the past year. We look forward to working more closely together to support the ongoing growth of Pocket and to create great new products that people love in support of our shared mission.”