Editor’s Note: We wrote about SCVNGR’s $4 M funding from Google Ventures last week. BostInnovation is dedicated to providing non-biased coverage of the local tech scene as a whole, and we’ll continue to spread coverage around to as many of the most exciting companies as possible. We just couldn’t keep a lid on this recent development at SCVNGR. Here’s an exclusive update:
When we contacted CEO Seth Priebatsch about SCVNGR‘s big Series B round of funding last week, he said that while SCVNGR got offers to move out west, they were, “excited to stay in Boston.”
He hit us up via email to share some new news that’s even more exciting yesterday.
SCVNGR lets you build your own scavenger hunts online using technology similar to Google maps. Once you have completed setup the hunt online, directions, hints, and challenges are sent to participants’ cell phones through SMS text messages. If you are a smart phone user, you can download one of SCVNGR’s applications to make the hunt an even better experience.
BostInnovation is happy to break the news that SCVNGR will be developing “an augmented reality layer to enhance the game-play experience.” We received this information in an email.
Augmented reality combines real world and computer-generated data that lets you do things like see inside buildings from your mobile phone. Soon, people with minimal tech knowledge will be able to incorporate videos, embed text, post pictures, and insert guiding arrows into their mobile scavenger hunts.
Before you know it, people will stop taking lunch breaks and start scavenger hunting.
Open API means more opportunities for developers
SCVNGR will also be opening up their API to developers. With an open API, developers can create their own spin-off applications from SCVNGR. Think Twitter and their thousands of applications like Tweetdeck and Tweetie. We are expecting more SCVNGR mobile applications and extensions in the future from outside developers.
Not only is SCVNGR looking out for their users and developers, they are going international! While SCVNGR’s is staying put in Boston they are expanding operations into Europe, Japan, Korea, and China by fall of 2010.
Look out for SCVNGR in 2010 and take the time to play around with some of their hunts. It’s a lot of fun and a great way to geek out here in Boston.
Seth’s communication also reiterated that they’ll be doubling their staff from 20 to 40 employees. You can learn more about how to apply here.
Interested in learning more about SCVNGR? Check out scvngr.com, Fan them on Facebook, or tweet at them on Twitter.
Tags: Boston, companies, Company News, startup, SVNGR
