Tapjoy Announces Android Fund, Backed By $5M Funding

Social app and game monetization company Tapjoy has established the Tapjoy Android Fund, which will help selected developers port their iOS games over to the Android platform. Tapjoy is backing the program with $5 million in funding, and will offer monetary support to developers who are making the leap from iPhone and iPad to Android. The fund will also provide porting and testing services, to help the transition move along more smoothly. Earlier this year, Tapjoy began limiting the overall impact of its cross-promotional app install offers in the iOS App Store, after it came to light that Apple was enforcing restrictions on such promotions. As part of Tapjoy's Android fund, developers will be able to take advantage of Tapjoy's virtual currency monetization engine, along with its game state server for virtual economy management, its mobile analytics platform and other Tapjoy services. Mihir Shah, president and CEO of Tapjoy, explained, "Tapjoy is in the business of democratizing the application ecosystem by bringing innovative content and targeted experiences to consumers while providing a level playing field for developers large and small to get their apps discovered." "The openness and skyrocketing popularity of the Android platform makes it a perfect match for our long-term objectives. This new porting program will identify great apps and give them the opportunities they deserve." Any developers who are interested in applying for the fund can do so at the Android Fund official page. Shah noted that he and other major App Store developers would continue talking with Apple to "find a sustainable way to work with them. ... We only win if Apple wins. Apple is the king of the App Store."