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Print Edition StoriesMonday, November 9, 2009
MobiWatch acquired by Jitterbug
By Mass High Tech staff
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MobiWatch Inc. an emergency communication device developer located most recently in Cambridge, was bought last week by Jitterbug, a maker of easy-to-use cell phones. The acquisition will add MobiWatch’s Mobile Personal Emergency Response Services (M-PERS) to Jitterbug’s wireless service lineup.
“It was synergistic for both of us,” said Stephen Pearse, co-founder of MobiWatch and a general partner at Common Angels. “We needed to get more exposure...and Jitterbug needed to expand its platform.”
The acquisition entails the move of MobiWatch to Jitterbug’s headquarters in San Diego. Pearse said no layoffs were planned as part of the acquisition and, in fact, MobiWatch president John Sieg will continue in his role leading the MobiWatch product out in California.
The M-PERS, which Jitterbug plans to develop further, connects quickly to emergency personnel through a Jitterbug phone. PERS originally functioned the same way, except through a home phone and not a mobile phone. According to an earlier Mass High Tech report, MobiWatch designed the system to include a two-way communication device, so users can talk with an operator.
San-Diego-based Jitterbug will have the M-PERS available later in 2010. The company has cell phone service coverage in both the U.S. and Canada.
No financial terms of the acquisition deal were disclosed.
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