Andy Rubin’s new Essential brand just got a $300 million boost as its premiere device heads into mass production thanks to another funding round led by Access Technology Ventures.
Access said it poured $100 million in funding into the Android creator’s latest venture, and was joined by other investors including Amazon’s Alexa Fund, Tencent Holdings, Altimeter Capital, Redpoint Ventures, and Vy Capital. The former indicated its hefty investment and new seat on Essential’s board of directors are consistent with Access’ mandate to fund and help build “foundational companies” in the consumer and enterprise technology space.
“We are thrilled to work with Andy, one of the preeminent mobile entrepreneurs in the world. His experience, industry knowledge and proven ability to innovate, will help Essential as it develops a complete hardware-software ecosystem that puts users first,” Access Technology Ventures Managing Director Pueo Keffer commented. “There is consistent demand in the mobile industry for new and enhanced technology which Essential is uniquely positioned to attract.”
The latest funding brings Essential’s total capital raised to $330 million, Access reported.
Rubin, famous for his role as the father of the Android operating system, left Google in 2014 and started Essential a year later. The company debuted its first device – a handset dubbed PH-1 – in May. According to Rubin, the device was specifically designed to address perceived pain points found in other smartphones.
In a Wednesday tweet, Rubin said the Essential Phone is now in “full mass production.” Details about where it will be available are coming next week, he said.
More on Sprint’s deal as exclusive U.S. carrier of the Essential Phone here.
Filed Under: Devices
