Hike Messenger(stylized as hike) is a cross-platform instant messaging service for smartphones that uses the internet for communication. In addition to text messaging, users can send each other graphical stickers, [6] emoticons, images, videos, audios, files, voice messages, contacts and user location.
Hike was launched on 12 December 2012 and raised its first round of funding of$7 million from Bharti SoftBank in April 2013. Hike is a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises and SoftBank.[8] On 16 August 2016 Hike raised$175 million in a new round of funding led by Tencent & Foxconn. After raising this round Hike Messenger reached the valuation of$1.4 Billion.[9] Hike’s founder is Kavin Bharti Mittal
Hike supports 2 way chat themes that a user can change according to their relationship with person or their mood. The option for chat themes are limited but one set the theme with their own pictures.
Apart from basic social messaging means like photos, videos, emoticons and audio files, hike has 5000+ graphical stickers. Many of the stickers pack can be used across different geographies but a lot of them are highly customized of Indian users. The stickers are available in multiple Indian languages. Apart from this Hike allows users to "nudge", a feature used to ping the receiver. They have sticker feature where the application suggest what should be the best reply for any sticker message.
Hike Direct allows users to share messages and files without any kind of data charges within a radius of 100 metres through Wi-Fi Direct, was made available in October 2015.[19] Over internet also it allows you to share files up to 100MB size.
Hidden mode allows users to hide individual and group chats providing extended privacy.
In addition hike has a talking bot called Natasha. It is a talking bot that uses AIML(Artificial Intelligence Markup language) to chat with users.
Hike Coupons allows users to get discount coupons from over 100 brands.
Games are available on hike messenger include Word rush, India Puzzle, Word Search, Number Rush, Sudoku, Snake, Solitaire, Connect, 2048, Run Bhai Run, Dash Race Teen Patti Nights and Jalebi.
Hike Daily sends daily quotes and facts to all users.
Hike aggregates news and other content such as videos, info graphics, and blogs, and summarizes them in 100 words or less. During the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, Hike provided CricBuzz updates to Android users about the World Cup scores.[20]
"Just for laughs" is a feature that sends funny images to all the subscribed users.