Fwix builds a hyperlocal places database and developer API that combines location data with local content such as news articles, Tweets, and photos. The company partnered with Factual to create an open database of millions of places that developers can pull into their apps and edit. Today Fwix launched a major upgrade to its developer API to make it easier to associate places with content and to enable write-backs from user-generated data. The API also includes an advertising layer that plugs into mobile ad networks and geo-specific offers from partners including Groupon, LivingSocial, YellowPages.com, and Gilt City. Fwix shifted its focus toward becoming a places database last year after its earlier API was described as clunky. It reported serving 20 million API calls in March, up from 11 million in February. The company recently received a $4 million infusion tied to these product efforts. Fwix operates a real-time local newswire and is opening its API platform to let bloggers and site publishers add local news to their sites and applications. The company said the API had been used by partners for months and is now being opened to everyone. Fwix plans to use the new funding to continue rapid expansion of its network and proprietary technology. The company is San Francisco-based and led by founder and CEO Darian Shirazi. Management framed the strategy as bringing the most relevant local content to the largest possible readership. BlueRun Ventures’ investment was presented as accelerating Fwix’s goal to become the local newswire.

Total raised

$7M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Series B

Latest activity

Apr 2011