Apple’s push towards developing a more robust Maps software for its own platforms continues to gather pace. As a result, the Cupertino-giant is making yet another acquisition in the space, this time Mapsense — a map visualisation startup, for close to $30 Million, reports Re/Code.
Apple, like all of its minimal acquisitions till date, hasn’t really revealed anything on this new deal, except for that usual “we buy smaller companies….” statement. Apple says,
Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans.
However, inside sources have told Re/Code that Apple has played anywhere between $25-$30 Million for Mapsense’s 12 member team, which will now join the Cupertino-giant at its headquarters.
Mapsense was formed in 2013 by Erez Cohen, and its platform helps users customise and play around with graphical representations of actual maps — thus amounting to a lot of valuable user-generated data, hosted over cloud. You’d now obviously understand why Apple might have paid that much.
Mapsense recently launched its developer platform in May, noting that it was welcoming customers from the financial sector, advertising, government and Fortune 500 firms. The company raised a $2.5 Million seed round in that very month led by General Catalyst with other backers including Amplify.LA and Redpoint Ventures.
As for Apple, this will be yet another acquisition in a string of such buy-outs which the company has been doing in the mapping division. Apple Maps, the company’s own software for mapping, has failed to gain any momentum whatsoever, with most iOS users relying on Google’s more advance tech for their transit needs.
