Google’s Android operating system may be free, open-sourced and oft-criticized for being lesser than originally expected (not by me, of course), but its existence has netted Beijing-based Borqs a cool $17.4 million in Series B funding led by Norwest Venture Partners (NVP). Other participants included GSR Ventures and Keytone Ventures, and over two rounds Borqs has now raised $25.4 million.
Borqs enables mobile phone manufacturers to offer a branded and consistent interface across their handset lineup. As more Android handsets come to market (18-20 expected this year), it’ll become increasingly important for phone makers to differentiate themselves in some way despite running on the same OS. The company also builds custom application stores for brands, not only leveraging the Android Market but also run-of-the-mill Java applications.
Borqs also has headquarters in Sunnyvale, CA. and though its only publicly known partner is China Mobile (through the Lenovo oPhone), Borqs is working on extending market reach with partnerships in the United States and Europe.