Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

SnapChat buys social mapping startup Zenly for $200m to allow users to track their friends

The tool uses Bitmoji – animated cartoon avatars users can personalise to depict themselves – as the markers on the map

Sarah Frier
Thursday 22 June 2017 12:59 BST
Comments
Zenly and Bitmoji, which chief executive Evan Spiegel added through another acquisition last year, show that Snap is willing to purchase tools to broaden the application’s appeal
Zenly and Bitmoji, which chief executive Evan Spiegel added through another acquisition last year, show that Snap is willing to purchase tools to broaden the application’s appeal

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Snap acquired Zenly, a French startup that makes a social map so people can see where their friends are hanging out, for $200m in cash plus additional stock awards, according to a source.

Los Angeles-based Snap bought Zenly in late May, according to the person, and has already turned the product into a feature on its main Snapchat application that lets users see friends’ photo and video posts by location. The tool uses Bitmoji – animated cartoon avatars users can personalise to depict themselves – as the markers on the map.

Zenly and Bitmoji, which chief executive Evan Spiegel added through another acquisition last year, show that Snap is willing to purchase tools to broaden the application’s appeal.

The company has said that product updates will be the main drivers of user growth, which slowed in the first quarter, sparking concern about the company’s trajectory just months after its initial public offering.

The company has been moving more deeply into location-based tools, using deals to build out its portfolio. It acquired Placed earlier this month to help it track whether ads are driving people to physical stores.

Snap declined to comment. The purchase of Zenly was reported on Wednesday by Techcrunch.

Bloomberg

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in