Real estate developer and manager Wolfson Group has exited Israel-based software producer Nextpeer in an acquisition by messaging app provider Viber for $9m.
Founded in 2011, Nextpeer has built a software development kit that enables game developers to easily add a range of features, including multiplayer functionality and social media integration into their games.
Nextpeer’s 12-strong team have all joined Viber, and will continue to develop the company’s technology by incorporating it into Viber, which recently launched its own gaming service.
Nextpeer closed a 2013 seed round backed by Wolfson, users of crowdfunding platform OurCrowd and assorted angel investors. Nextpeer secured almost $360,000 on OurCrowd, and the round closed at between $2m and $2.9m according to contrasting reports.
Viber itself was acquired by internet retailer Rakuten in February 2014 for $900m.
Shai Magzimof, CEO and co-founder of Nextpeer, said: “Nextpeer’s vision is to bring social experiences to mobile players. We are teaming up with Viber to help connect players on mobile and deliver a powerful social platform for developers. We are all very excited to join the Viber team.”