1stPoint, Empire Acquire Shelcomm to Boost SMS Business

1stPoint Communications and Empire Ventures have acquired the majority of the outstanding shares of Shelcomm Inc.

Shelcomm has been a paging and mobile operator since 1998 in Los Angeles and surrounding markets. The acquisition of will provide 1stPoint and Empire’s affiliates the ability to enhance both their retail and wholesale SMS networks.

“1stPoint sees messaging and collaboration as the future of the telecommunications and IT industry,” said Kristen Vasicek, director of marketing for 1stPoint, who lead the initial discussions with Shelcomm. “Building on our enterprise and carrier messaging solutions is a priority for us.”

The acquisition provides Shelcomm the ability to expand its footprint quickly, with immediate plans to build out the network in New York City and Miami.

“We are thrilled to be working with 1stPoint and Empire,” said Michael Schelin, Shelcomm CEO. “The scope of 1stPoint’s operational capability will create opportunities for expansion.”

Several key partnerships have already been implemented that will enhance Shelcomm’s operations, including improved support for short code and a variety of end-user APIs that allow service providers to easily transition their messaging applications to the 1stPoint and Shelcomm platforms.

“We expect that messaging will be the fastest growing component of our business,” said Erik Levitt, CEO of 1stPoint and the new co-chairman of Shelcomm. “Along with cryptocurrencies, which are going to drive substantial revenues toward our hosting business, SMS will be a key growth component of our New Way to Work strategy.”

Empire’s portfolio includes a number of messaging companies, including Empire’s affiliate, Tunnel.com, which offers SMS management platforms for call centers. The acquisition provides the ability to provide mobile numbers and short code messaging to customers of its those companies.

“SMS and mobile messaging has become essential not only to consumers, but businesses alike,” said Kent Charugundla, chairman of the Empire and new co-chairman of Shelcomm. “This acquisition catapults our investment companies’ ability to outperform any competitors in the marketplace.”

 

The terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.