The Summly tale
by Startacus Admin
At Startacus we like to give you a variety of articles. Sometimes we’ll write about a successful business. Sometimes we’ll write about an inspirational story in which the odds were stacked heavily against someone. Today, we have the happy opportunity to wrap the two into one.
Summly, when it was created, was akin to a 
drop in the metaphorical ocean of the internet. That it was sold then, for a reported £19m to Yahoo is a bit of a surprise. That it was set up by a 15 year old in 2011 should make it more surprising still. And at the same time, it’s not. Founder Nick D’Aloisio has actually been in the technology business in one form another since he was 12. He began programming then and released an app for Apple’s iStore a few years later which became popular. Now 17, D’Aloisio is currently trying to decide which A-Levels to take at school. His business meanwhile, is chaired by Bart Swanson – a previous GM at Amazon, and hires a multitude of personnel from all over the world.
It’s telling that after 200 words, we still haven’t told you what Summly actually does. Its concept is relatively straightforward; it redefines news for the mobile world with, and we’re quoting here, ‘algorithmically generated summaries from hundreds of sources’. In other words, it tries to make reading the news whilst on the move with your mobile easy and enjoyable. Users select which news sources and topics they prefer, and Summly shortens it before sending it to you.
If we were to use it for this article then, I guess it would be along the lines of: Well done Mr. D’Aloisio. Summly is a great product, and we’re all very happy – and a little jealous – of your fantastic expansion.
Ethan Loughrey
If you like what you see here on Startacus and want to get involved yourself, why not become a member of our growing community by joining for free here!
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Employee wellbeing experts Loopin share some insights on the truth behind your employee's notice of resignation.
Proptech startup Speiz secures seed investment to support its mission of digitally transforming the broken brokerage market.
The lowdown on Manchester based startup Chatloop and its mission to transform social media, giving you the power to start conversations on any website.
BT reveals new cohort of innovative startups aiming to help solve sustainability challenges in the manufacturing sector.
London-based startup Ribbon is on a mission to help other businesses better understand their users and build better product experiences.
London-based SaaS startup OutThink has developed an innovative approach to help companies to visualise risk, target interventions and prevent data breaches.
Participants in Catalyst’s Co-Founders programme offered opportunity to avail of a £10,000 proof of concept grant from Techstart to help validate their business idea.
Atoa announces pre-seed funding for its solution to empower and improve cash flow for independent, small and mid-sized UK retail merchants.
 Tong Gu, Reem Mobassaleh Wyndham and Monik Pham.jpg)
Pact launches its first £30M fund to back early-stage European tech startups using technology for economic inclusion, well-being and climate solutions.
Paris-based startup Immortal Game uses blockchain technology to add a new dimension to the most played board game in the world.
Published on: 5th April 2013
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- Norwegian proptech Speiz raises €1.3M to launch new European platform for warehouse leasing 5th Dec 2022 Proptech startup Speiz secures seed investment to support its mission of digitally transforming the broken brokerage market.
- BT pushes ahead with new sustainable digital solutions through its Green Tech Innovation Platform 1st Dec 2022 BT reveals new cohort of innovative startups aiming to help solve sustainability challenges in the manufacturing sector.
- Catalyst and Techstart offering startup co-founders the chance to win £10k proof of concept grants 30th Nov 2022 Participants in Catalyst’s Co-Founders programme offered opportunity to avail of a £10,000 proof of concept grant from Techstart to help validate their business idea.
- UK fintech Atoa secures $2.2M pre-seed round as it kills Visa and Mastercard fees for businesses 24th Nov 2022 Atoa announces pre-seed funding for its solution to empower and improve cash flow for independent, small and mid-sized UK retail merchants.
