# invi Labs

> invi Labs was a Palo Alto startup developing an Android SMS replacement that combined texting with instant messaging, embedded media and contextual content suggestions. Founded in 2012 by Iddo Tal and Lior Gonnen, it was acquired by Google in May 2018.

- **Founded:** 2012
- **Headquarters:** Palo Alto, United States
- **Founders:** Iddo Tal (Co-founder and CEO), Lior Gonnen (Co-founder and CTO)
- **Products:** invi Messenger, Mini apps, invi Messages, Autonomous Search
- **Notable:** Added Android SMS interoperability in June 2013., Raised a reported $2 million in July 2015., Acquired by Google in May 2018.

## Products & services

- **invi Messenger** — Rich-media messaging application launched on Android; added SMS support in June 2013.
- **Mini apps** — In-chat tools for media and games, including YouTube and 2048.
- **invi Messages** — Android SMS/IM app with contextual media suggestions and meme creation.
- **Autonomous Search** — Conversation-relevant content surfaced through the Awesome Bar and Content Slider, described by Tal in February 2018.

## Achievements

- Added Android SMS interoperability in June 2013.
- Raised a reported $2 million in July 2015.
- Acquired by Google in May 2018.
- Founders named on messaging patents subsequently assigned to Google.

## Latest updates

- **2018-02** — Tal described Autonomous Search and its conversation-relevant content suggestions.
- **2018-05** — Google acquisition, as stated on the company’s LinkedIn profile.
- **2020-11** — US10824297, naming Gonnen and Tal, issued with Google LLC as assignee; a patent milestone, not a standalone invi product launch.
- **2021-06** — US11050701, concerning rich media embedded in texting, issued with Google LLC as assignee.

## Links

- Website: http://www.invi.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/invi/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/invi
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/invi

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/invi-labs
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-30