In April 2016, Ionic announced an $8.5 million Series A funding round led by General Catalyst, bringing their total funding to $12.2 million. Founded in November 2013, Ionic aimed to create a web-based UI framework enabling web developers to build mobile apps as effectively as native developers using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The framework has been a success, with over two million apps created globally, impacting both app store and enterprise environments. Ionic continues to focus on mobile as a core part of the open web stack, drawing inspiration from projects like WordPress in its mission to empower developers worldwide. The company plans to enhance its offerings with the release of Ionic 2, Progressive Web App support, and improvements to the Ionic Platform and Creator, all while maintaining its foundation on Cordova and expanding the native/Cordova plugin ecosystem. Despite geographical challenges, Ionic has grown into a significant player in the tech industry, breaking barriers and asserting that the future of technology extends beyond traditional hubs like Silicon Valley.