Shares of $Phunware (PHUN.US)$ surged more than 30% shortly after 1 pm ET Thursday after CEO Stephen Chen outlined ambitious global expansion plans, leveraging the company's ties with President-elect Donald Trump.

In an exclusive chat with Benzinga, Chen spoke about the company's ongoing relationship with President-elect Donald Trump.

Phunware's stock has been notably volatile this year, largely influenced by Trump's presidential campaign. The company has been linked to Trump since 2020 when it developed and managed his reelection campaign mobile app.

Chen expressed satisfaction with the partnership, noting that Phunware has been refining its products and is now prepared to support a variety of campaigns and advocacy projects.

He emphasized the company's versatility, highlighting its voter engagement platform and potential benefits beyond the campaign trail.

Looking ahead, Chen revealed plans to leverage Phunware's engagement platform for local, regional, and international campaigns.

He stated, "Helping elected figures and the public doesn't end on election day, as there are local, regional, and even overseas campaigns we can help," indicating a focus on expanding their technology's application.

Regarding future collaborations with Trump or the Republican party, Chen remained non-committal but confident in Phunware's ability to provide robust engagement solutions for political groups across the spectrum.