Pando is free software that allows users to send and receive files up to 1 gigabyte in size with their existing email accounts. The software is currently in beta testing and is free of spyware and adware.
The Pando software bypasses email attachment limits, using expanded BitTorrent technology and transports what the company calls “Pando Packages,” which contain either files or folders, to the recipient.
Initially funded by BRM Capital and Wheatley Partners, the company just secured an additional $7 million from Intel Capital, the chipmaker’s venture capital arm.
“Pando was founded because there has been a significant absence of effective, easy transport for personal media amid increases in broadband, storage and processing power,” Pando CEO Robert Levitan told Taulli.com. “Pando is a solution for sharing large files like home movies, folders of family photos and PowerPoint presentations that typically exceed email attachment limits.”
Levitan also cofounded iVillage.com in the 1990’s, the Internet’s largest community site for women.
Since email does not allow for sending of large files, Pando exploited the opportunity to offer a user-friendly, simple download to solve the problem, the company said. Most large file attachments would be blocked by ISPs. Each file is tagged with a .pando extension and resides on the company’s servers.
Both users must have Pando installed to take advantage of the service. The recipient receives email notification they’ve been sent a file to download using Pando. So far, the company claimed more than a half million people have installed beta versions.
“None of us who founded the company particularly have time to set up and maintain a social networking site, one where people come see our pictures and videos,” Levitan said. “We really wanted a way to directly send large files without forcing people to check for them anywhere but their existing email accounts.”
The company plans to monetize its service through the use of banner ads at the bottom of the Pando application. The company believes studios and filmmakers will take advantage of this by making their high-definition trailers available through the service.
The company has no plans to license its technology at the moment, but it remains a future option.
Pando has versions for both Windows and Mac users.
