As reported by Reuters, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has invested $15 million in Israeli startup Music Messenger, leading a $30 million round which also involved Benny Andersson from pop band ABBA, artists David Guetta, Will.i.am and Avicci, and Gee Roberson, manager of Nicki Minaj.
Co-founded by Israeli entrepreneur O.D. Kobo and launched seven months ago, this Israeli startup has developed a mobile phone app that allows users to send music to each another for free.
The app is attracting 1 million new users per month and is available in 10 different languages, according to the company. It is widely used as a promotional tool by the music industry as users get introduced to many songs.
Music Messenger plans to launch in China, Brazil, Russia and India.
Famous for his assets in the steel and football industries, Abramovich has also invested in several tech companies. Among them are British mobile operator Truphone, in which the Russian oligarch put $118 million in 2013.
Abramovich is also behind Impulse VC, a Moscow-based investment fund and incubator launched in October 2013.
