Enlai Chu of 3jam: Rewrites the Text on Text Messaging and Goes Against Giants Like Google
Almost four years ago, Enlai Chu co-founded 3jam with Andy Jagoe with the hope to improve the means by which people communicate. Their initial goal was to design and popularize a “group texting” product, one that would allow users to engage in one texting conversation with more than two people. Once 3jam successfully created this product, the company was able to strike deals with cell phone carriers all over the world to distribute the service.
As of late, Enlai’s focus has shifted to his company’s latest offering, “3jam Numbers,” also known as Cloud Numbers or Virtual Numbers. Enlai elaborates and explains the nature of 3jam’s products in this interview, while pitching in his own two cents on what he believes it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur, and what drives him to keep innovating.
STATS
Number of Companies Founded:
1. 3jam (2006)
Fundraised: $5.5M
Investors: New Enterprise Associates and Norwest Venture Partners
Highest Number of Employees: 20
2. Number Networks (2004)
Bootstrapped
Highest Number of Employees: 8
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Home Town: Vancouver, Canada
Currently Resides: San Francisco, CA
Age: 34
Bachelor of Science: Electrical Engineering, University of British Columbia – 1996
Master of Business Administration: Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley – 2003
ENLAI CHU (CENTER)
Hobbies/Interests: Snowboarding, trying hole-in-the-wall restaurants
First Taste of Success: Making my first “business dollar” promoting parties in Vancouver
Proudest Moment: Winning Forbes Future Capitalist award in 2003
Worst Habit: Not sleeping enough
Quality Most Remembered For: Upbeat, can-do attitude
Where You See Yourself in 10 Years: Something productive – creating products and giving back through education and mentorship
I’m Happiest when…: Hard work and smart planning yield successful results
I’m Motivated by…: Building cool products and improving the way things are done
Favorite Quote: “Go Big or Go Home!”
Role Models: My mom for her compassion and dad for his work ethic and principles.
Interesting article…but wheres the rest of it?
Hi Calvin,
Click on the links at the bottom of this page. More feedback? Was it confusing for you to navigate this page? What was interesting about it? Do you like the more formal business interviews? or the more personal ones?
Best,
Kim
Found it! Definitely easier if you have the link after the summary of the article. Was lost in the description and company backround! Look forward to more Blogs. Thx!
Truly professional interview Kim. I think you should start submitting your resume for CNN and co-anchor with Betty Nguyen immediately.