Loopt

Company name: Loopt
Where it's based: Mountain View, Calif.
When it was founded: 2005
Year it was a Fierce 15: 2008
Website: www.loopt.com

Why it was a Fierce 15: Loopt offered a social-mapping service that automatically updated and delivered friend location maps, messages and alerts to handsets and the Internet. Loopt secured deals with Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel, Boost Mobile and CBS for its social mapping service, answering the desire of mobile-phone users to leverage location technology to connect and share with friends. Click here for more.

What has happened since it was awarded the Fierce 15: Loopt has expanded its presence steadily, and in June 2008 debuted its service for BlackBerry devices from AT&T, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile USA and Alltel. The company also launched a digital marketing campaign to promote its brand, and announced its integration with the Facebook Connect platform. In December 2008, the company expanded its free service to Google's Android Market.