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WHAT'S
NEW!
The Palm VII compatible version of is now available for demonstration
for our wireless partners. Call Business Development at (650) 237-3800
for a demonstration or download access.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Look for geoTouch showcasing their empowering map technology at
these events:
September
September 11 - 12
E-Commerce for Travel USA, EAST
Atlanta, GA
October
October 23 - 25
Fall Internet World
New York, NY
For more information on any geoTouch events, contact melaniet@geotouch.com
PRESS
GEOTOUCH COVERAGE:
GEOTOUCH: THE NEXT GENERATION OF ONLINE MAPPING
Release 1.0
June 28,00
Kevin Werbach.
Online mapping sites have proven popular, with MapQuest, for example,
delivering over 130 million maps in December 1999. However, the
maps these services provide are generally static and difficult to
correlate with points of interest such as subway stations or hotels.
GeoTouch, a startup
in Palo Alto, CA has developed a new online mapping technology designed
to integrate location-based information seamlessly into the mapping
experience. GeoTouch’s maps feature interactive pan and zoom, and
they are integrated with a location-based search engine so users
can locate various kinds of sites (restaurants, stores, entertainment,
and so forth). Select a category or individual location and an icon
shows up on the map; pass your mouse over the icon and a box displays
identifying information. Users can select two points on the map
and measure distance between them. Because geoTouch uses Java servlets,
the maps update without the annoying page refreshes of most other
mapping sites.
At the core of geoTouch’s services is spatial indexing technology
that allows the company to build a scalable database of location-tagged
information for display on its maps. The goal is to enable users
to find local information using the familiar spatial metaphor rather
than keyword search that current online city guides rely on. Similar
to MapQuest and Vicinity, geoTouch plans to generate revenue by
licensing its technology to other sites, through targeted advertising
and through fees for listings and e-commerce referrals.
GeoTouch will initially be available on the Web, but a wireless
version is planned for the third quarter. Current mobile devices
don’t have the screen resolution or wireless bandwidth to take full
advantage of geoTouch’s rich color maps, but the company believes
it can deliver useful services even with current wireless access
protocol (WAP) interfaces.
GeoTouch was founded by Sri Palasamudram, previously a Project Manager
at Autoweb.com. It has brought on MapQuest founder Barry Glick as
an advisor and plans to launch its consumer Website in September.
The company has raised $8 million from Redwood Partners, Gabriel
Ventures and Alliance Ventures.
WHAT THE EXPERTS HAVE TO SAY
"GeoTouch brings a totally new dimension to web searching
and mapping-accessing rich content about the real world by clicking
on an interactive map makes searching for local content incredibly
easy and intuitive".
Barry Glick
Founder & Former CEO of MapQuest
"it's more complete than any search tool I have ever seen.
MapQuest has pieces, but I haven't seen a site that brings all of
it together as geoTouch does".
Phillip Sampier
Former President of Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation
"It's just what you hoped the yellow pages would be. It's
definitely a value-added service in the sense that it brings together
both location and company-specific data in a really nice little
package".
Michael Shirer
Forrester Research Analyst
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Location-Based Information
and Mapping Provider geoTouch Receives $8 Million in Venture Funding
Redwood Partners, Gabriel Ventures and Alliance Ventures
Invest in geoTouch
SAN FRANCISCO-June 26, 2000-GeoTouch, the breakthrough
technology and service provider of current, rich, comprehensive
location-based information and commerce, today announced that it
has received $8 million in new funding from Redwood Partners, Gabriel Ventures and Alliance Ventures.
With the infusion of capital, geoTouch will expand efforts in their
wireless and ASP development groups to grow the distribution channels.
"Our investors recognize that the
geoTouch is a next generation platform for location-based information
and commerce using a familiar interface-maps", said Sri Palasamudram,
founder and president of geoTouch. "This first round of funding,
along with our technical innovation and strategic partnerships,
empowers us to lead this revolutionary shift. These funds will apply
toward the technological infrastructure and architecture for our
new ASP, wireless and distribution partners.
GeoTouch links the cyberworld to the physical world
through its intelligent, interactive geographic search engine that
allows easy navigation through rich and compelling location-based
information. Its technology platform integrates in-depth geographic
information with comprehensive Web-based content. GeoTouch is available
through the Internet and soon from wireless devices such as PDAs
and cellular phones. The geoTouch service allows users to control
and tailor the information to their need. GeoTouch offers business
partners many options to incorporate and customize the data to fit
their market requirements.
Using the geoTouch platform, the company's
business-to-business program supports the enterprise needs of its
business customers. In this domain, geoTouch acts as an Application
Service Provider (ASP), enabling hosting, management and analysis
of location-based data for business and government partners. GeoTouch
is also forming relationships with business portals, consulting
firms, and system integration and support companies.
"GeoTouch technology provides a paradigm shift for a
location based searching system on the net. It's the only intuitive,
interactive, and user friendly product for web and wireless services.
We saw a great opportunity for us to invest in the company,"
said Deven Verma, General Partner at Redwood Partners.
About geoTouch, Inc.
GeoTouch is a provider of location based
and e-commerce services utilizing a familiar map interface for the
wired and wireless web. Its unique technology platform integrates
deep mapping information with comprehensive Web-based content. The
service links the cyberworld to the physical world through its intelligent,
interactive geographic search engine that allows easy navigation
for neighborhood and travel related information. Founded in 1999, geoTouch is a privately
held company with funding from Redwood Venture Partners, Gabriel
Venture Partners, Alliance Ventures, AVCOM Technologies, Inc. and
infoUSA.com.
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