# Derek Ting

> Derek Ting is the co-founder and CEO of TextNow, the Waterloo-based company he started in 2009 at age 19 with classmate Jon Lerner while studying computer engineering at the University of Waterloo. What began as a scrappy solution to outrageous carrier text messaging fees has grown into the only U.S. mobile provider offering unlimited talk, text, and free essential data on a nationwide 5G network. The TextNow app has been downloaded more than 200 million times worldwide, making Derek one of the most consequential quiet disruptors in American telecommunications - building a profitable, venture-light company that serves millions of users who can't afford traditional phone service.

- **Role:** Co-Founder & CEO at TextNow
- **Organizations:** TextNow, Enflick, WoolNet LLC, TorrentReactor
- **From:** Canada
- **Nationality:** Canadian
- **Education:** Bachelor of Applied Science in Computer Engineering, University of Waterloo
- **Known for:** Co-founded TextNow at age 19 while a junior at University of Waterloo, Built TextNow into a profitable company from near inception (2010), with minimal venture capital, Grew TextNow to 200M+ app downloads globally

## Career timeline

- **~2000** — Founded WoolNet LLC (web hosting company) while in high school
- **~2002** — Founded TorrentReactor (file-sharing network) while in high school; later sold it
- **~2006-2007** — Worked at an early startup developing 'Touch,' a chat-based social network; purchased a domain name for $100,000 that he later turned down a $5M offer for
- **2007** — Enrolled at University of Waterloo to study Computer Engineering; iPhone launches, igniting the idea for TextNow
- **2009** — Co-founded Enflick (now TextNow) with Jon Lerner at age 19 while in junior year at Waterloo
- **2010** — TextNow becomes profitable; bootstrapped growth without significant VC funding
- **2011** — TextNow reaches 15 million users; sends its billionth message in March
- **2012** — Named Ernst & Young Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year; company generating $13M revenue with 30-person team
- **2014** — Developed patented Elastic Calling technology
- **2015** — Expanded to international calling in 100+ countries
- **2016** — Opened first U.S. satellite office in San Francisco
- **2018** — Raised $1M additional funding (latest known round)
- **2020** — Launched free nationwide talk and text; company grows to 200+ employees
- **2024** — Became the first and only wireless provider to offer free essential data on the 5G network
- **2025** — TextNow app surpasses 200M+ downloads worldwide; annual revenue reaches ~$160M

## Achievements

- Co-founded TextNow at age 19 while a junior at University of Waterloo
- Built TextNow into a profitable company from near inception (2010), with minimal venture capital
- Grew TextNow to 200M+ app downloads globally
- Named Ernst & Young Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year, 2012
- Pioneered the first ad-supported free phone service in the United States
- Led TextNow to become the first U.S. mobile provider to offer free essential 5G data
- Founded two startups (WoolNet LLC and TorrentReactor) while still in high school
- Scaled TextNow from $13M revenue (2012) to ~$160M annual revenue with 280 employees

## Latest updates

- **2025-09** — Featured on Code Story podcast (S11 E15) discussing TextNow's origin story and future plans
- **2025-02** — Featured in 'Reluctant Disrupter' episode of Finding Founders podcast/YouTube series
- **2024-01** — TextNow becomes first and only wireless provider to offer free essential data on the nationwide 5G network
- **2024-09** — Featured in Authority Magazine 'Startup Revolution' interview discussing changing the wireless game

## Links

- Website: https://textnow.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/derekting
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/derekting13
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/TextNow

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/derek-ting
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-17