Where.com

Where, Inc. was founded in 2004 under the name {{Proper name|uLocate}} Communications, Inc. by partners, Geoff Palmer, Frank Schroth, and Alan Phillips.{{cite web |url=http://www.quarkbase.com/people/ulocate.com |title=Ulocate People: Quarkbase." Website Information, Analysis & Research Tool |date=22 March 2010 |work=Quarkbase}} {{Proper name|uLocate}} spent its early days creating family tracking services as well as building location-based applications for companies such as MapQuest and Helio.

In 2007, WHERE launched as a location-based mobile service for consumers.{{cite web |url=http://www.androidtapp.com/interview-with-ivan-mitrovic-vp-of-technology-at-ulocate-communications-creator-of-where/ |title=Interview with Ivan Mitrovic, VP of Technology at ULocate Communications, Creator of WHERE |author=Wells, Antonio |date=15 February 2010 |work=Android Tapp}}

WHERE provides hyper-local information and user generated content about weather, news, movies, restaurant and business reviews, cheap gas, coupons and offers, traffic, etc.{{cite web |url=http://www.getjar.com/mobile/15393/where-by-ulocate/ |title=WHERE by Ulocate |date=21 March 2010 |work=GetJar}} Brands such as Starbucks, Yellow Pages and Zipcar use WHERE to reach local audiences by providing data for various features within WHERE. For example, a Starbucks feature lets users search for and find directions to the Starbucks nearest their current location.{{cite web |url=http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2008/07/10/apple-launches-iphone-app-store-ahead-of-schedule-boston-and-seattle-startups-featured/ |title=Apple Launches iPhone App Store Ahead of Schedule; Boston and Seattle Startups Featured |author=Roush, Wade |date=10 July 2008 |work=Xconomy}} In 2010, the company grew to over 50 people, moving into larger facilities in Boston.{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/stories/2010/05/31/story3.html|author=Moore, Galen|title=Talent Wars|work=Boston Business Journal|date=31 May 2010}} During this year, it launched the Placebook feature,{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2010/03/17/where-brings-its-local-search-service-to-where-com-with-mobile-app-synch/ |title=Where Brings Its Local Search Service to Where.com with Mobile App Sync |author=Hardawar, Devrinda |date=17 March 2010 |work=VentureBeat}} which Facebook contested due to its last syllable of "book".{{cite web|url=http://bostonherald.com/business/media_marketing/2010/10/local_firm_trademark_fight_over_'placebook'|author=Kronenberg, Jerry|title=Local firm in trademark fight over 'Placebook'|work=Boston Herald|date=2 October 2010}}

The company was venture-backed by Kodiak Venture Partners, Grand Banks Capital and Venrock and based in Boston. Prior to its acquisition by eBay in 2011, several industry experts sat on its board including Craig Forman and Jim Bankoff, CEO of Vox Media.

The consumer site Where.com launched in March 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2010/03/18/ulocate-is-where-now-exactly/ |title=ULocate Is Where, Now? Exactly. Editorial |author=Roush, Wade |date=18 March 2010 |work=Xconomy}} The Website is a local search and recommendation portal that allows people to find local events, read reviews and other business information, and write their own reviews. On Where.com, people can also create their own user accounts or use their current WHERE mobile application account information to build a personal profile.

WHERE Ads is a hyper-local ad network that localizes traditional advertising techniques with improved performance for better results. Ads engage consumers through location relevance, design optimizing, and delivery format flexibility.{{cite web |url=http://gigaom.com/2010/03/09/where-a-geo-app-launches-a-local-mobile-ad-network/ |title=Where, a Geo App, Launches a Local Mobile Ad Network |author=Malik, Om |date=9 March 2010 |work=GigaOM}} In May 2012, WHERE Ads became PayPal Media Network (PPMN).{{cite web|last1=Dwyer|first1=Sam|title=One Year After Acquisition WHERE Ads Rebrands as PayPal Media Network|url=http://bostinno.streetwise.co/2012/05/01/one-year-after-acquisition-where-ads-rebrands-as-paypal-media-network/|publisher=BostInno|accessdate=1 May 2012}}

The firm possesses several patents including one for geo-fencing location technology{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/12/21/where-geofencing-patent/ |title=Where Is Awarded the Mother of All Geofencing Patents |author=Schonfeld, Erick |date=21 December 2010 |work=TechCrunch}} and one for auto-snap location technology.

WHERE is available in North America and can be downloaded for a monthly feehttp://forums.att.com/t5/Android-Discussion-and-Support/WHERE-app-has-monthly-charges/td-p/1995344 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502001526/http://forums.att.com/t5/Android-Discussion-and-Support/WHERE-app-has-monthly-charges/td-p/1995344 |date=2 May 2014 }} {{User-generated source|date=August 2022}} from the Android Market, BlackBerry App World, iOS App Store, and Palm App Catalog. WHERE is also available from the AT&T MEdia Mall, T-Mobile web2go, and VZW V Cast Apps.

Wireless carriers — AT&T, Boost Mobile, Helio, MetroPCS, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, Virgin

Mobile smartphone devices — Android, BlackBerry, iPhone, Palm, Windows Phone 7{{cite web |url=http://www.1800pocketpc.com/2010/09/29/wp7-apps-where-app-for-windows-phone-7.html |title=WP7 Apps: Where App for Windows Phone 7 |date=29 September 2010 |work=1800PocketPC |access-date=29 September 2010 |archive-date=7 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707060305/http://www.1800pocketpc.com/2010/09/29/wp7-apps-where-app-for-windows-phone-7.html |url-status=dead }}

PayPal acquired Where.com in 2011. At the time, the management consisted of the following:

• Walt Doyle, CEO
• Jerry King, COO
• Ivan Mitrovic, CTO
• Mok Oh, Chief Innovation Officer
• David Chang, VP, Product
• Dan Gilmartin, VP, Marketing
• Joshua Summers, VP, Ad Operations
• Nataly Kogan, VP, Consumer Experience
• Ron Braunfeld, VP of Business Development
• Doug Hurd, VP of Business Development, Carrier & OEM
• Niall Hawkins, VP of Finance
• Arik Keller, Senior Director, Merchant Services
• Jim Caralis, Director, Consumer Product
• Craig Forman, Executive Chairman

In the mobile industry, there have been several notable acquisitions of Boston area startups by larger technology companies:

• VeriSign's acquisition of m-Qube for $250M in 2006{{cite web|title=VeriSign Signs Pact To Acquire m-Qube|url=https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB114282910584902811|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=20 March 2006}}
• AOL's acquisition of Third Screen Media for $107M in 2007{{cite web|author=Marshall, Matt|title=AOL acquires Third Screen Media, mobile ad company — consolidation begins|url=https://venturebeat.com/2007/05/15/aol-acquires-third-screen-media-mobile-ad-company-consolidation-begins/|work=VentureBeat|date=15 May 2007}}
• Nokia's acquisition of Enpocket in 2007{{cite web|author=Riley, Duncan|title=Nokia To Acquire Mobile Advertising Firm Enpocket|url=https://techcrunch.com/2007/09/16/nokia-to-acquire-mobile-advertising-firm-enpocket/|work=TechCrunch|date=16 September 2007}}
• Apple's acquisition of Quattro Wireless for $275M in 2010{{cite news|last=Swisher |first= Kara|author-link=Kara Swisher|title=Exclusive: Apple to Buy Quattro Wireless for $275 Million |url=http://allthingsd.com/20100104/exclusive-apple-to-buy-quattro-wireless-for-275-million/|work=All Things D|date=4 January 2010}}
• Twitter's acquisition of Crashlytics for $100M in 2013{{cite web|author=Huang, Gregory|title=Twitter's Boston Acquisitions: Crashlytics Tops $100M, Bluefin Labs Close Behind|url=http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2013/02/05/twitters-boston-acquisitions-crashlytics-tops-100m-bluefin-labs-close-behind/|work=Xconomy|date=5 February 2013}}
• Millennial Media's acquisition of Jumptap for $225M in 2013{{cite web|author1=Turner, Nick |author2=Frier, Sarah |name-list-style=amp |title=Millennial Media Will Acquire Jumptap for About $225 Million|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-08-13/millennial-media-agrees-to-buy-jumptap-for-about-225-million.html|work=Bloomberg|date=14 August 2013}}
• Millennial Media's acquisition of Nexage for $108M in 2014{{cite web|author=Alspach, Kyle|title=Nexage acquired by Jumptap buyer Millennial Media for $108 million|url=http://betaboston.com/news/2014/09/23/nexage-acquired-by-jumptap-buyer-millennial-media-for-108-million/|work=The Boston Globe|date=23 September 2014}}

Unlike many other acquisitions in the mobile industry, WHERE continued to grow its Boston-based presence after its acquisition. In January 2012, PayPal President Scott Thompson, local executives Walt Doyle, and David Chang met with Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick to discuss an expansion of California-based PayPal into Boston.{{cite web|author=Kirsner, Scott|title=PayPal in talks with state officials to expand Boston office|url=http://www.boston.com/business/technology/innoeco/2012/01/paypal_in_talks_with_state_off.html|work=The Boston Globe|date=12 January 2012}} After exploring nearly a dozen potential new office sites in Boston, PayPal selected One International Place as its new location for its Boston headquarters.{{cite web|last=Farrell|first=Michael|title=PayPal move bringing tech to Financial District|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2012/07/24/paypal-moves-financial-district/K4Bff9hco5vZJf4u4He5KO/story.html|publisher=The Boston Globe|accessdate=25 July 2012}}

In 2013, the eBay Boston office houses several operating entities including PayPal, StubHub, and Start Tank.

The Start Tank is a business incubator hosted by PayPal, which offers free co-working space for early-stage startups.

Start Tank originated in Boston and expanded to Europe and Asia. With 20 startups, representing over 80 people, Start Tank Boston is unique in its size—one of the largest facilities in Massachusetts that has been dedicated to startups by a corporate entity. There are several similar efforts at eBay including Friends of eBay in New York and PayPal Startup Blueprint, and PayPal incubator in Chennai.{{cite web|title=PayPal to host incubation centre in Chennai|url=http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/paypal-to-host-incubation-centre-in-chennai/article5339824.ece|work=The Hindu|date=12 November 2013}} These are part of a broader growing trend of business incubators and seed accelerators sponsored by corporate entities and technology companies.{{cite web|title=Companies setting aside space for startups|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2014/03/02/companies-set-aside-startup-space-tap-entrepreneurial-energy/dnJaU3h7Cw8SecImE4EZXK/story.html|work=The Boston Globe|date=2 March 2014}}

The Start Tank was officially unveiled during the PayPal Boston launch event with Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and Secretary Greg Bialecki in February 2013.{{cite web|author=Farrell, Michael|title=PayPal setting up shop in Boston|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2013/02/28/paypal-opens-boston-financial-district/sXlmjH3WzMA20FNJuHiEJN/story.html|work=The Boston Globe|date=28 February 2013}} The first class of startups consisted of 15 companies based in the Boston area.{{cite web|last=Moore|first=Galen|title=Eight Boston startups you probably haven't heard of – but PayPal has|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/startups/2013/07/paypal-start-tank-startups.html|work=Boston Business Journal|date=26 July 2013}}{{cite web|author=Moore, Galen|title= Four things to know about PayPal's Boston office|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/techflash/2013/10/paypal-boston-here-beacon-where-fig-card.html|work=Boston Business Journal|date=15 October 2013}} The second class started in September 2013 and consisted of 22 startups.{{cite web|author=Keohane, Dennis|title=David Chang and PayPal Boston Pay it Forward with Start Tank|url=http://venturefizz.com/blog/david-chang-and-paypal-boston-pay-it-forward-start-tank|work=VentureFizz|date=25 September 2013}} A number of these startups gained market traction, raised funds of their own, and soon graduated from the program.{{cite web|author=Bernard, Gillis|title=8 Companies Outgrowing PayPal's StartTank|url=http://bostinno.streetwise.co/2014/01/29/boston-paypal-starttank-companies-from-2013-on-the-go/|work=BostInno|date=29 January 2014}}

The Start Tank gained greater visibility in the Boston area, and by time the third class moved in during March 2014, the program became more selective, accepting only 14 out of 80 applications.{{cite web|author=Kirsner, Scott|title= 14 startups that just nabbed free space at PayPal's Start Tank|url=http://betaboston.com/news/2014/02/28/start-tank-boston-startups-covvet-onthebar-screenex-serviceroute-sparkfull-supplet/|work=The Boston Globe|date=28 February 2014}} It was later named as one of Boston Globe's Game Changers.{{cite web|last1=Keohane|first1=Dennis|title=Where big ideas are hatched: Incubators and accelerators|url=http://betaboston.com/news/2014/06/13/where-big-ideas-are-hatched-incubators-and-accelerators/|publisher=The Boston Globe|access-date=14 June 2014|archive-date=15 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715001434/http://betaboston.com/news/2014/06/13/where-big-ideas-are-hatched-incubators-and-accelerators/|url-status=dead}} In summer 2014, the program partnered with The Ad Club to add events such as the Brand-a-thon{{cite web|last1=Leung|first1=Shirley|title=This 'Brand-a-thon' could lead to some beautiful relationships|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2014/06/17/this-brand-thon-could-lead-some-beautiful-relationships/y7BKGr9m4ll8EvetFyubxJ/story.html|publisher=The Boston Globe|accessdate=18 June 2014}}{{cite web|last1=Bernard|first1=Gillis|title=The 17 Startups Bidding for Free Creative at the Brand-a-Thon|url=http://bostinno.streetwise.co/2014/06/19/paypal-start-tank-ad-club-present-brandathon-brandathon-startups-and-agencies/|accessdate=19 June 2014}}{{cite web|last1=Boyle|first1=Josh|title=BRAND-A-THON: 'Mad Men' Meets the Startup World|url=http://venturefizz.com/blog/brand-thon-'mad-men'-meets-startup-world}}{{cite web|last1=Bernard|first1=Gillis|title=The 3 Boston Agencies Whose Imaginative Creative Won Them the Inaugural Brand-a-Thon|url=http://bostinno.streetwise.co/2014/06/27/2014-paypal-start-tank-and-the-ad-club-brandathon-winners/}}{{cite web|last1=Shen|first1=Chen|title=Cake-batter-in-a-can startup Spray Cake wins 'brand-a-thon' (Video)|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/startups/2014/06/cake-batter-in-a-can-startup-spray-cake-wins-brand.html}}{{cite web|last1=Nudd|first1=Tim|title=8 New England Agencies Had 72 Hours Each to Brand a Startup. Here's the Winning Entry|date=8 July 2014 |url=http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/8-new-england-agencies-had-72-hours-each-brand-startup-heres-winning-entry-158789|publisher=Adweek|accessdate=8 July 2014}} to engage with the startup ecosystem and expanded globally to London and Chennai.{{cite web|last1=Bernard|first1=Gillis|title=PayPal Start Tank to Roll Out Boston-Born Startup Incubator in London & Chennai|url=http://bostinno.streetwise.co/2014/07/01/paypal-start-tank-international-expansion-paypal-start-tank-to-roll-out-boston-born-startup-incubator-in-london-chennai/}} Later that year, the Start Tank program became more competitive, accepting 11% of its applicants in its fourth class.{{cite web|last1=Kirsner|first1=Scott|title=PayPal's Start Tank opens its doors to six more startups|url=http://betaboston.com/innovation-economy/2014/09/11/paypals-start-tank-opens-its-doors-to-six-more-startups/|publisher=The Boston Globe|accessdate=11 September 2014|archive-date=13 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913080244/http://betaboston.com/innovation-economy/2014/09/11/paypals-start-tank-opens-its-doors-to-six-more-startups/|url-status=dead}} At this time, Start Tank was nominated as a 50 on Fire finalist.{{cite news|last1=Landry|first1=Lauren|title=Meet 8 of the 50 on Fire Tech Nominees Making Their Mark on Boston|url=http://bostinno.streetwise.co/2014/09/15/2014-50-on-fire-tech-nominees-nominate-for-50-on-fire/#s_paypal-starttank_s|accessdate=15 September 2014|publisher=BostInno}} In 2016, the program expanded to Singapore.{{Cite web|url=https://www.techinasia.com/paypal-start-tank-fintech-incubation-singapore|title=Tech in Asia - Connecting Asia's startup ecosystem|website=www.techinasia.com|language=en-US|access-date=2016-06-27}}

The Start Tank was founded by PayPal executive David Chang,{{cite news|last1=Rosen|first1=Andy|title=Five things you should know about David Chang|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2017/06/23/five-things-you-should-know-about-david-chang/weIrsDuSrtgVw9Ly4ynFQP/story.html|publisher=The Boston Globe|date=24 June 2017}} who was named to Boston Business Journal's annual Power 50 List of influential Bostonians{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2014/09/29/bbj-announces-power-50-list-slideshow.html|title=BBJ announces Power 50 list|website=Boston Business Journal|accessdate=29 September 2014}} after its creation. In 2015, as part of the corporate separation of PayPal from eBay, approximately one-third of the staff in the PayPal Boston office was eliminated,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2015/02/06/paypal-david-chang-out-head-boston-office/NXfzaZ08IfdbKz8IYeuNRK/story.html?event=event25|title=PayPal's David Chang out as head of Boston office - The Boston Globe|website=The Boston Globe|access-date=2016-07-27}} leaving the future of Start Tank uncertain.{{Cite web|url=http://bostinno.streetwise.co/2015/02/06/ebaypaypal-layoffs-david-chang-departs-paypal-boston-2/|title=David Chang Has Departed PayPal Boston; What's next for StartTank?|website=BostInno|access-date=2016-06-26}} It was later revealed that the Boston-based entity was split off and was acquired by MassChallenge.{{Cite web|url=http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2015/04/10/masschallenge-takes-over-start-tank-incubator-from-paypal/|title=MassChallenge Takes Over Start Tank Incubator From PayPal {{!}} Xconomy|date=2015-04-10|language=en-US|access-date=2016-06-26}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/startups/2015/04/masschallenge-buys-paypals-start-tank-startup.html|title=MassChallenge merges with PayPal's Start Tank startup incubator in Boston - Boston Business Journal|website=Boston Business Journal|access-date=2016-06-26}}{{Cite web|url=http://bostinno.streetwise.co/2015/04/08/start-tank-will-live-on-under-masschallenge-umbrella/|title=Start Tank Will Live on Under MassChallenge Umbrella|website=BostInno|access-date=2016-06-26}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website}}
• [http://www.starttank.com PayPal Start Tank] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728033355/http://www.starttank.com/ |date=28 July 2013 }}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20121106161540/https://itunes.apple.com/app/where/id281790044?mt=8/ iPhone App Store featuring WHERE]
• [http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/916/ Blackberry Application Store featuring WHERE]

{{EBay}}

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Category:BlackBerry software

Category:Discontinued iOS software

Category:Internet properties established in 2004

Category:Mass media companies of the United States

Category:Android (operating system) software

Category:PayPal

Category:2011 mergers and acquisitions