Add another big name to the list of those making acquisitions of mobile based networks for Smartphone’s. Groupon joined the ranks by closing a deal to buy Pelago. Pelago is the developer of Whrrl, a location-based social network application.
The Whrrl application for Smartphone’s was used with Android and Blackberry operating systems. It was a social networking program that let users search for social groups with similar interests and brand loyalties. Once the user joined a “society” they could exchange information, tips and opinions about products or services.
The Whrrl app also had an established reward program with it. Developer Pelago was a fast moving new comer to the technology and applications arena, and had already gotten over 20 million in venture funding, and received the prestigious award of iFund.
Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (KPCB) is a 200 million dollar investment initiative that funds market changing ideas and products that build upon the iPhone operating system platform. Some of the previous recipients include Zynga mobile, InMobi and Flipboard.
Groupon launched its site in 2008 and quickly became a huge success. Groupon’s site offers big discounts for restaurants, health spas and other merchandise from over 500 markets internationally. The site supports discounts for activities that promote buyers to interact socially.
The folks at Groupon have been keeping busy; developing an optimized app for iPhone last year; setting up a Facebook interactive for users to map local deals in real-time on their Smartphone’s, and partnering with JiWire. JiWire is another location-based mobile medium. Groupon also signed on with ShopSavvy, a provider of mCommerce solutions for Smartphone’s.
