Foursquare

Snap is partnering with Foursquare to utilise its location intelligence data, which powers 100,000 services including Twitter and Uber, and improve geofilters for its messaging app.

FourSquare raised $45 million in a Series E funding round through which it wants to “pursue growth aggressively,” a strategy that includes hiring 30 employees in areas like engineering and sales.

Foursquare removed the need for users to create an account before using its app, a move which will remove a barrier to entry for new users as the company looks to boost its position in the mobile search market.

Foursquare launched a new version of its app, offering an increased focus on local information and recommendations specifically tailored to individual users.

Foursquare removed the famous check-in feature from its main app as it prepares to launch an update that is more focused on providing local information and recommendations.

Foursquare, the maker of the local check-in and information app, saw its revenue grow by 600 per cent in 2013, according to CEO Dennis Crowley.

Microsoft is to licence the places database built up by the local search and check-in app maker Foursquare, and has also invested in the company.