Myriad Group

Myriad Group AG is a Switzerland-based software company whose activities have centered on mobile communications and related digital services. Its portfolio has addressed several layers of the mobile ecosystem, including consumer-facing applications, social and messaging products, embedded software, and services intended for mobile operators, device manufacturers, original design manufacturers, and pay television providers. Rather than operating as a conventional consumer electronics brand, Myriad has primarily supplied software technologies and platforms that can be integrated into mobile devices, operator networks, and customer-service environments. The modern Myriad Group was created in 2009 through the merger of Purple Labs and Esmertec. The combination brought together complementary capabilities in mobile software. Purple Labs had developed Linux-based software for mobile original equipment manufacturers and original design manufacturers, while Esmertec was associated with mobile application and runtime technologies. Following the merger, Myriad expanded its offerings for mobile operators, including USSD self-service functionality and graphical user interfaces for Java-enabled devices. The company organized its activities into three principal product divisions: Versy, Myriad Connect, and Device Solutions. Versy represented consumer-oriented social and communications services; Myriad Connect focused on operator-facing messaging and communications services, including USSD-related solutions; and Device Solutions covered embedded technologies and software components for mobile devices and other connected products. This structure reflected Myriad's position between software infrastructure, device integration, and end-user digital experiences. Myriad's corporate history also includes the development of Purple Labs before the 2009 merger. Purple Labs was founded in France in 2001 by Jean-Luc Botto, Dennis O'Donovan, Sebastien Soyer, and Jean-Marie Andre, and was headquartered in Chambéry. It built Linux-based mobile software for OEM and ODM customers. In 2007, Simon Wilkinson became Purple Labs' chief executive after the company completed a venture-capital financing round. Purple Labs subsequently acquired Openwave's mobile phone client software division in 2008, adding browser and messaging-client technologies, and agreed that same year to acquire Sagem Communication's mobile-phone software activities and associated engineering teams. In 2012, Purple Labs expanded again through the acquisition of Synchronica plc. At Myriad Group, Stephen Dunford became chief executive officer in December 2012 and left the position in January 2017. After a period in which James Bodha, Mike Grant, and Gary Bunney served as co-CEOs during the search for a permanent successor, Philipp Bolliger was appointed chief executive in June 2018. The available reference material does not establish the company's later ownership, listing status, financial performance, or present operating status, so those details remain unconfirmed here.

Myriad Group's corporate identity emerged from the 2009 merger of Purple Labs and Esmertec. The merger combined mobile software capabilities and created a company positioned to serve both mobile-device manufacturers and communications-service providers. Myriad subsequently developed a portfolio spanning consumer applications, social and messaging services, embedded software, and operator solutions. One important predecessor was Purple Labs, a French company founded in 2001 by Jean-Luc Botto, Dennis O'Donovan, Sebastien Soyer, and Jean-Marie Andre. Based in Chambéry, Purple Labs specialized in Linux-based software for mobile OEMs and ODMs. Simon Wilkinson became its chief executive in October 2007 after a venture-capital financing round. In June 2008, Purple Labs acquired Openwave's mobile-phone client software division, obtaining browser and messaging-client technologies. In July of the same year, it agreed to acquire Sagem Communication's mobile-phone software business and related engineering teams. Purple Labs later acquired Synchronica plc in April 2012. After the formation of Myriad Group, the company broadened its focus to include mobile-operator services. Its solutions included USSD self-service capabilities and graphical user interfaces for Java-enabled devices. The company also maintained a connection to mobile application compatibility technology through Alien Dalvik, a compatibility layer for Android applications that was also known as the Dalvik Turbo virtual machine. Myriad organized its business into Versy, Myriad Connect, and Device Solutions. Versy was associated with consumer social and communications applications. Myriad Connect addressed messaging and communications services for operators, including USSD-related functionality. Device Solutions covered embedded software and technologies intended for integration into mobile devices and other connected environments. The resulting portfolio gave Myriad a hybrid position: it supplied infrastructure and components to businesses while also developing applications and services used by consumers. Leadership changed several times during the company's development. Stephen Dunford became CEO on December 4, 2012, and resigned on January 31, 2017. During the subsequent search for a full-time chief executive, James Bodha, Mike Grant, and Gary Bunney served as co-CEOs. Philipp Bolliger was appointed CEO in June 2018. The supplied sources do not provide enough information to describe later corporate events, ownership, financial results, or whether all product divisions continued operating, so the company's current status is recorded as unknown.

1. 2018Philipp Bolliger appointed CEO

   Philipp Bolliger was appointed chief executive officer in June.

   Source
2. 2017CEO transition

   Stephen Dunford resigned as CEO in January; James Bodha, Mike Grant, and Gary Bunney subsequently served as co-CEOs while the company searched for a permanent successor.

   Source
3. 2012Synchronica acquired

   Purple Labs, during the company's broader corporate development, acquired Synchronica plc.

   Source
4. 2012Stephen Dunford becomes CEO

   Stephen Dunford assumed the chief executive role at Myriad Group in December.

   Source
5. 2009Myriad Group formed

   Myriad Group was created through the merger of Purple Labs and Esmertec.

   Source
6. 2008Purple Labs acquires Openwave mobile client software division

   Purple Labs acquired Openwave's mobile phone client software division, adding browser and messaging-client technologies.

   Source
7. 2008Purple Labs agrees to acquire Sagem mobile software activities

   Purple Labs agreed to acquire Sagem Communication's mobile-phone software business and associated engineering teams.

   Source
8. 2007Simon Wilkinson appointed Purple Labs CEO

   Simon Wilkinson became chief executive of Purple Labs following a venture-capital financing round.

   Source
9. 2001Purple Labs founded

   Purple Labs was established in France by Jean-Luc Botto, Dennis O'Donovan, Sebastien Soyer, and Jean-Marie Andre to develop Linux-based software for mobile OEMs and ODMs.

   Source

A business-to-business mobile software provider serving device manufacturers, mobile operators, pay TV providers, and consumers through communications applications, embedded technologies, and operator-service platforms.

• VersyConsumer social and communications services

  Versy was one of Myriad Group's three principal product divisions. It represented the company's consumer-oriented activities, including social and communications applications. The available reference material does not specify individual features, launch dates, supported platforms, or the division's later operating status.

• Myriad ConnectMobile operator communications software

  Myriad Connect was the division focused on operator-facing communications services. Its scope included USSD self-service capabilities and related mobile-service interfaces, allowing operators to expose account, information, or service functions through mobile communications channels. The supplied material does not identify specific operator customers or current availability.

• Device SolutionsEmbedded mobile software

  Device Solutions covered embedded software and technologies intended for integration into mobile devices and connected products. This division reflected Myriad's historical work with OEMs and ODMs, including software components for device interfaces and mobile application environments. Detailed product names and current status are not established by the supplied sources.

• Alien DalvikMobile application compatibility technology

  Alien Dalvik, also referred to as the Dalvik Turbo virtual machine, was a compatibility layer associated with running Android applications in mobile environments. It illustrates Myriad's involvement in embedded and mobile-runtime software, although the supplied reference does not provide a complete product history or current status.

• 2012Acquisition of SynchronicaM&A

  The acquisition expanded the predecessor company's mobile communications and software capabilities.

  What changed. Purple Labs acquired Synchronica plc.

  Aftermath. The acquisition formed part of the technology base later associated with Myriad Group.

  Source
• 2009Merger of Purple Labs and EsmertecM&A

  The two mobile-software companies combined their capabilities to create Myriad Group and broaden the resulting business across device software, applications, and operator services.

  What changed. Purple Labs and Esmertec merged to form Myriad Group AG.

  Aftermath. The combined company organized its activities around consumer services, operator communications, and device solutions.

  Source

1. Myriad Group
2. Myriad Group official website