The Tap Lab is a Cambridge-based TechStars alum that builds location-based mobile games allowing players to compete to take over real-world venues. Its prior title let players capture local venues, challenge others for ownership, and earn virtual income and rent. The company is developing a sequel, Tap City 2, in which players can perform jobs at real-world places (for example, serve virtual coffee at Starbucks) and buy virtual versions of real-world products to earn points. The Tap Lab has raised $550,000 in seed funding from angel investors to fund Tap City 2 and has a team of five. Co-founders Dave Bisceglia and Ralph Shao met at Boston University and began prototyping location-based games in 2009; early tests in Boston attracted thousands of players. The company describes itself as building a gaming engine for the real world and faces competitors including Booyah and Red Robot Labs.

Total raised

$1M

Funding rounds

1

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Apr 2012