Career networking service LinkedIn buys mSpoke
LinkedIn, the social networking service for business professionals, said Wednesday it is buying a startup specializing in digging valuable information from mountains of digital data.
Financial details of the acquisition of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based mSpoke were not disclosed, but the deal marks the first takeover for LinkedIn, which was launched seven years ago in Northern California.
LinkedIn claimed the crown of the world's largest online social network for professionals interested in schmoozing to improve their career or business prospects.
"MSpoke and LinkedIn's shared focus on generating relevant content make this acquisition a natural fit for us," said LinkedIn chief executive Jeff Weiner.
"We're actively investing in solutions that help deliver valuable professional insights to LinkedIn members."
LinkedIn has boasted having more than 75 million members from 200 countries and every Fortune 500 company.
MSpoke technology will be used to improve LinkedIn features that let members find jobs, people, news, and information about companies.
"As we spent time with the LinkedIn team, we were struck by how similar our visions are," said mSpoke co-founder Dean Thompson.
"We're looking forward to joining the team and helping provide useful recommendations that help professionals tackle problems quickly and more efficiently."
(c) 2010 AFP
