Food recommendation service Foodspotting announces today that it has closed a $750,000 round of seed funding led by Felicis Ventures, with participation from 500 Startups, High Line Venture Partners, Zelkova Ventures and 2020 Ventures. Today’s announcement follows the launch of an updated website, a new iPhone app, and media partnerships with Travel Channel and Zagat.
Foodspotting allows users to find and share food recommendations using photos. “Foodspotting is not just for foodies,” says CEO Alexa Andrzejewski, who notes that location-based services like Foodspotting and Foursquare are demonstrating the importance of sharing tips and recommendations when choosing restaurants and bars. People seek practical information and guidance, and the mobile experience offered by the Foodspotting iPhone app offers just that – with the added benefit, of course, of taking and looking at photos of some amazing meals.
Today’s funding announcement, along with the major partnerships announced last week, point to the continued growth of location-based services. And it also serves as another strong startup endorsement of Nivi and Naval’s AngelList, who according to Andrzejewski, “helped us identify such well-aligned investors.”
As a first-time entrepreneur, Andrzejewski says the assistance from Nivi was invaluable. “It was super practical,” she says, noting how he helped her answer questions about “the little things” like how to schedule meetings and respond to investor inquiries. AngelList helped cut through the noise of all the VC and angel investors, offered a “roadmap,” and helped give her the confidence to navigate and negotiate this round of funding.
Foodspotting is putting today’s funding to use with making several strategic hires. Additionally, it is in the process of opening its headquarters in San Francisco’s SoMa district, a live/work loft with a full kitchen for hosting eat-ups and No Reservations watching parties.
