Commtag, the always-op mobile email start-up, is to have a new owner. Step forward, Smartner Information Systems, of Finland, which is to wrap Commtag's Duality Always-On Mail technology into its mobile office suite, Office Extender.

Terms are not disclosed, and Commtag's VCs will have to wait a while yet for a clean exit, as the transaction is entirely share-based. Unless there's a big upside in Smartner equity, the VCs look like they're taking a bit of a bath. Our understanding is that the deal values Commtag at €1.3m, somewhat less than the $5m or so sunk into the business to date.

Smartner claims Vodafone Ireland and Swisscom among clients for Office Extender. This product "enables real-time access to office systems with practically any mobile device available". ®