 | This article contains promotional content. (June 2014) |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Social Commerce |
| Founded | Bellevue, Washington(February 1, 2012) |
| Founder | Ryan Wuerch |
| Defunct | December 4, 2015 |
| Headquarters | |
Number of locations | 1 |
Area served | United States, including Puerto Rico |
Key people | Ryan Wuerch (Founder, CEO) Rick White (Head of Legal and Policy) |
| Products | Social-based mobile virtual network operator |
Number of employees | 140 |
| Website | solavei |
Solavei was a social commerce network offering contract-free mobile service in the United States, known for its use of incentivized referral plans and its social network advertising program.[1][2][3][4] In addition to its mobile phone services, Solavei operated a social commerce network for its users.[1][5][6] Ryan Wuerch founded the company in 2012.[1][6] As of 2013, Solavei had 140 employees and was valued by investors at $120 million.[6][7][8][9][10] The company has been described as a multi-level marketing (MLM) company,[11][12] or of being very similar to a MLM company.[13]
On June 18, 2014, the company filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy.[14]
Solavei announced on November 19, 2015, that its carrier partner, T-Mobile USA, had terminated its agreement to provide service under the condition that Solavei did not meet expectations. Solavei customers were allowed to migrate to T-Mobile Prepaid for a $10 monthly credit for 6 months and a free month of service. Wireless service was discontinued on December 4, 2015.
- ^ a b c "Mobile Telephone Startup Solavei Avoids Ads, Relies on Customers for Sales Leads". The Daily Beast. 24 October 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
- ^ "New iPhone 5 Gives TMobile MVNOs a Network Boost but Still No LTE". CNN Money. 17 April 2013. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
- ^ "Solavei offers unlimited, no-contract phone service for $49 per month". CNET. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
- ^ "Solavei Offers An Updated Version Of The iPhone 5". The Droid Guy. 18 April 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
- ^ "Solavei Introduces Nano SIM Cards for iPhone 5, Offers Unlimited Voice, Text and Data for Just $49 Per Month". TMC News. 6 March 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
- ^ a b c ""Social" wireless company Solavei launches in Bellevue". The Seattle Times Business and Technology Blog. 26 July 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
- ^ "Thousand-Dollar BlackBerry Phone On The Way". Forbes. 11 February 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
- ^ "BlackBerry Z10 Review, Tips, Tricks, Best Apps and More". CIO. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
- ^ "BlackBerry will face noise from Samsung's latest smartphone as it launches in US". The Vancouver Sun. 11 March 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
- ^ "BlackBerry Z10 Available Now in U.S. For $999 Contract-Free". Mashable. 11 February 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
- ^ Soper, Taylor (November 20, 2015). "Multi-level marketing mobile service provider Solavei shuts down due to 'competitive landscape'". GeekWire. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
- ^ Fried, Ina (July 25, 2012). "Start-Up Solavei Takes Cellphone Marketing to a Whole New (Multi-) Level". All Things Digital (WSJ). Retrieved November 27, 2015.
- ^ Fitchard, Kevin (January 8, 2014). "Sprint's Framily plan isn't Amway, but it's a distant cousin of multilevel marketing". GigaOm. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
- ^ " MVNO Solavei files for bankruptcy protection", FierceWireless, 2015-06-18