| Whrrl | |
| Url: | whrrl.com |
| Type: | Social networking |
| Language: | English |
| Owner: | Pelago, Inc. |
| Launch Date: | October 2007 |
| Current Status: | Shutdown |
Whrrl was a social location-based service developed by the Seattle-based company Pelago, Inc.[1] Whrrl had a recommendation engine that uses algorithms and users' votes to surface relevant recommendations.[2]
On June 30, 2010, Whrrl launched its Society Rewards Program, designed to close the gap between a brand's online social media and real-world presence with its first partner, Murphy USA Oil.[3]
Groupon announced that it had purchased Whrrl on April 18, 2011.[4] As Whrrl dissipates, it is being speculated that Groupon will leverage location based social networking or "check-ins" on their popular group coupon site.
The service was launched in October 2007 as a geosocial networking and discovery site that allows both web and mobile users to find, explore, share, meet up at, and rate points-of-interest in their cities.[5]
Pelago's first product, Whrrl, was launched on July 10, 2008. Whrrl v1.0 was a location-based social networking and discovery application for the iPhone, Blackberry and numerous other mobile phones.
Pelago launched Whrrl 2.0, an 'on-the-go' storytelling application for the iPhone and web on March 16 at South by Southwest.[6] Whrrl 3.0 was launched at SXSW on March 11, 2010 with a promise: "We'll save you from Farmville." Press release here http://www.pelago.com/press/2010/03/whrrl-3-launches-with-a-promise-%E2%80%9Cwe%E2%80%99ll-save-you-from-farmville%E2%80%9D/ .
The company was founded by Amazon.com veterans Jeff Holden and Darren Vengroff.
In November 2006, Pelago, Inc completed Series A financing backed by Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers; Trilogy Equity Partners; and Bezos Expeditions.[7] It is also the first product to be financially backed by the iFund.
In May 2008, Pelago announced a second round of funding totaling US$15 million led by Deutsche Telekom, followed by India-based Reliance Technology Ventures and DAG Ventures.[8]
In April 2011, Pelago was acquired by Groupon and the Whrrl service was discontinued.