The idea is to create a new and more convenient form of communication for event planners, kitchen workers, and others who need instant access to colleagues while on the job. It may even make sense for everyday consumers, such as parents organizing parties for their kids and friends driving from winery to winery in the Napa Valley.

"It's for any mobile team that needs to be connected in real-time," says Robbins, who previously played notable roles in the rise of two hugely important technologies for the modern business, helping to build the infrastructure that underpinned Amazon Web Services and later founding the data-center-automation outfit Chef.