One Year In: Openwave’s Journey of Renewal and Growth
In November 2023, Lumine Group announced the acquisition of the Messaging and NetworkX business units from Synchronoss. These business units were originally formed through the combination of three standalone companies previously acquired by Synchronoss—one of which was Openwave Messaging.
In corporate carve-outs, it’s common to encounter businesses that have gone through several transitions—acquisitions, integrations, and rebranding—that often lead to the original brand identity being set aside. This evolution is a natural part of strategic consolidation.
At Lumine, we understand that every company has a unique history. We approach each carve-out with fresh eyes, considering their history and where we envision the potential of the business. In cases like the acquisition of these two business units from Synchronoss, we considered the best approach to organizing the assets as they enter this new chapter with Lumine. As part of this, we asked ourselves: Would restoring the brands bring clarity, strength, and continuity to the business today?
In this case, we believed it would. Following the acquisition, Lumine made the decision to reinstate the company’s original name, Openwave, a name that holds strong recognition and trust in the market. At the same time, we introduced a new visual identity that reflects a renewed sense of purpose, innovation, and momentum.
The rebrand signaled more than a new look. It represents a fresh chapter for the company, one that builds on its legacy while aligning it with our shared vision for the future.
Openwave provides a white-label email and messaging platform for communication service providers, and in 2025 it celebrates 25 years in the software messaging business. Many of their original global customers remain with them today, adapting alongside the evolution of smartphones, Android, and iPhone devices.
The company has a global presence, with offices in Japan, Italy, and India where it serves over 100 million active users. Their success in the Japanese telecommunications software market highlights their leadership in compliance, maintaining customer trust and sustaining long-term success.
Openwave’s focus remains on innovative, secure and scalable solutions to retain customers and support engagement. Messaging services play a vital role in long-term customer retention, as they are essential for communication.
To learn more about Openwave’s post-acquisition experience, we spoke with Ciaran McGovern, Openwave’s CEO, who shared the company’s experience with joining the Lumine ecosystem, learned about advancements they’ve experienced in their operations and as they prepare for growth, and examine the key benefits that have emerged over the past year.
Reflecting on your first year with Lumine, can you describe any key achievements post-acquisition?
Over the past year, we’ve made great progress—strengthening our operations, reviewing our visual branding, and taking a fresh look at how teams are organized to make sure everyone can do their best work as we continue to serve our customers, show thought leadership and innovate for the future.
These steps have played a big role in where we are today. One achievement I’m especially proud of is how we’ve brought the playbook and best practices to life across the business.
What was the experience like transitioning into the Lumine Group portfolio?
From the beginning, we felt truly supported by the Lumine team. One of the first things they did was bring back our heritage name —a name that’s meant a lot to the business and our customers since it was founded in 2000. That decision really resonated, especially with longtime customers who’ve been with us from the start.
We also had the chance to sharpen our focus. Coming out of a larger organization, the carve-out gave us the freedom to operate more independently and align more directly with our own growth goals. That clarity and autonomy have been really energizing for the team.
How has the team responded post-acquisition?
With Lumine’s guidance, our team has become much more innovative around the roadmap. There’s been a noticeable shift—helping drive new revenue, which really speaks to the clarity and strategic direction we’ve gained through the integration. It’s been a major milestone for us and a big win for the team.
If you had to reflect, what would be three learnings from this experience so far?
One of the biggest learnings has been the importance of the strengthening phase that follows an acquisition. It’s a period at Lumine where a newly acquired company gets an opportunity to really take a step back to analyze core business practices—looking at what’s working, what can be improved, and how to drive growth more efficiently. For us, that phase was incredibly valuable in boosting operational performance and setting a stronger foundation.
The second would be around support and optimization. Lumine has been a great partner in helping us align our talent with the business goals and investment in innovation—especially around AI. We’ve been able to introduce features like phishing analyzers, smart assistants, and chatbots that are already making a difference for our customers.
Lastly, since the acquisition, we’ve been focused on setting the company up for long-term success. That’s meant making thoughtful changes to how we operate — making sure we are organized in a way that supports where we’re headed. By aligning our resources with what the business needs most right now, we’ve created a more stable foundation for growth. It’s about building something that lasts — not just for today, but for the future.
Has Lumine helped you refocus any area of the business, leading to new insights or perspectives?
Absolutely. One of the biggest areas of impact has been around security and automation. With Lumine’s investment, we’ve been able to adopt more advanced tools and technologies, which has really accelerated our ability to strengthen security measures and streamline key processes.
They also helped us refocus on what matters most—our customers.
Through new ways of measuring Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) and gathering feedback, we’ve been able to stay more closely aligned with our mission and goals. It’s helped us see customer feedback not just as a metric, but as a strategic driver to keep us on track.
That shift in mindset was foundational in shaping our go-to-market strategy. With Lumine’s support, we’ve built it around customer satisfaction and engagement—ensuring our priorities reflect what truly matters to the people we serve.
What role has Lumine’s ecosystem played in helping you connect with like-minded businesses to drive growth and innovation?
Being part of Lumine’s ecosystem has been a game-changer for us. With access to a network of over 30 communications and media software businesses, we’ve been able to collaborate with companies that share our values and align with our mission. It’s given us the ability to leverage a scalable platform that evolves with our needs, while tapping into shared expertise in areas like security and automation.
On top of that, Lumine’s global reach has opened new opportunities for us to expand our market presence and connect with a broader customer base, driving mutual growth across the portfolio.
What (if any) new opportunities have emerged from the acquisition?
Since the acquisition, Lumine’s involvement has played a key role in expanding what’s possible for us as a business. One key example is boosting our marketing efforts. As part of building a new brand, we increased our focus and investment in marketing , especially around Mobile World Congress and other events, which significantly raised our visibility and deepened customer engagement.
As part of the post-acquisition strengthening phase, we identified new opportunities that hadn’t been fully explored before. With Lumine’s strategic guidance in marketing and events, we’ve been able to enhance our brand presence, foster stronger customer relationships, and drive meaningful engagement.
A standout initiative was a Messaging User group in Japan, that allowed us to connect with customers in a more personal way, which not only left a lasting impression but also uncovered new growth opportunities.
Lumine also facilitated high-profile sponsorships, like with SoftBank’s baseball team, which helped further strengthen our brand identity and engage a broader audience. Beyond events, Lumine supported us in showcasing successful case studies, emphasizing platform innovation and our impressive app ratings.
Looking ahead, how do you see Lumine investing in Openwave’s long-term success and future growth?
Lumine’s partnership has helped strengthen Openwave in meaningful ways — from product development and marketing to customer engagement and professional services. The support has allowed us to sharpen our focus, bring more value to our customers, and collaborate more effectively across the Lumine portfolio. It’s been about more than just growth — it’s been about evolving how we work and what we’re able to deliver. This collaboration has positioned Openwave for sustained long-term success, giving us the resources and strategic direction to grow and innovate in the messaging and communications services industry.
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