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AlterGeo

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article AlterGeo, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 9 August 202528 sources


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AlterGeo
Company typePrivate
IndustryInternet, IT, software, location-based services; location-based advertising, geolocation, hybrid positioning system
FoundedMay 2008; 18 years ago (2008-05), in Moscow, Russia
FounderAnton Baranchuk
Alexandre Dorjiev
Denis Alaev
Sergey Kurlovich
Headquarters
Moscow
,
Russia
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Anton Baranchuk (CEO)
Alexandre Dorjiev (CTO)
Number of employees
~20
Websiteplatform.altergeo.ru

AlterGeo, initially operating under the name Wi2Geo, is a Russian IT enterprise focused on creating a comprehensive global hybrid positioning system that integrates technologies such as Wi-Fi, WiMAX, GSM, GPS, LTE, IP address, and network environment methodologies. The company also developed cross-platform location-based services including Gvidi and AlterGeo, alongside the hyperlocal advertising platform Local Hero.

The Financial Times has recognized AlterGeo as one of Russia’s emerging technology leaders. The firm has earned multiple accolades both domestically and internationally in technology and media sectors, and it holds resident status at the Skolkovo Innovation Center. Funding for AlterGeo has been secured from notable investors like Intel Capital and Esther Dyson.

Technology

Founded in 2008, AlterGeo’s origins lie in developing Wi-Fi positioning technology based on the doctoral research of one of its co-founders. The company’s primary objective was to create a universal positioning solution capable of surpassing the limitations inherent to satellite navigation systems such as GPS, A-GPS, and GLONASS. To achieve this, the team broadened its research efforts and engineered a global hybrid positioning system that utilizes WiFi, WiMAX, GSM, LTE, IP addresses, and network environment data.

AlterGeo reports extensive coverage across Europe—particularly Russia and the CIS—as well as in parts of Asia, North America, and South America. Their database reportedly contains over 135 million active access points spanning Wi-Fi, WiMAX, GSM, and LTE technologies. Daily operations handle more than 400 million location queries and position upwards of 100 million devices worldwide. The system provides an accuracy range of approximately 20–30 meters for hybrid positioning and between 500–1,000 meters when relying on IP-based methods.

B2B Capabilities and Collaborations

AlterGeo's hybrid location technology enables web and mobile software developers, along with hardware producers, to accurately determine user positions. This functionality supports the delivery of location-aware services and the gathering of pertinent geographic data for marketing purposes. The firm has also crafted tailored solutions for precise location-based advertising strategies, including targeting, retargeting, RTB, and indoor positioning.[1]

Access to the AlterGeo platform is provided via API and SDK, or alternatively, it can be implemented on the client side as an on-premises option.[1] Major Internet enterprises such as Badoo, Mail.Ru, 2GIS, and LiveJournal utilize this technology.[2] In 2011, Russia’s leading advertising network, Begun, pioneered the country’s first location-based contextual advertising service through collaboration with AlterGeo.[3]

Local Hero: Hyperlocal Advertising Platform

In December 2014, AlterGeo introduced Local Hero, a self-service platform designed for hyperlocal banner advertising targeting small-scale businesses. This service enables clients to distribute their banners across the Internet (leveraging several RTB ad exchanges) and ensures banner visibility on both desktop and mobile devices within narrowly defined geographic zones, with a minimum coverage radius of 500 meters.[4]

B2C Location-Based Solutions

To illustrate practical applications of its hybrid positioning system for broad consumer markets in both web and mobile environments, AlterGeo has developed proprietary B2C location-based services.[5]

AlterGeo, geosocial network

Established in 2008, AlterGeo initially launched as a straightforward friend-to-friend location-sharing platform.[6] Today, it is recognized as the foremost cross-platform location-based social network within the Russian-speaking world,[7][8][9] boasting over 1.2 million users engaging with its website and complimentary mobile applications available on iOS, Android, and Windows Phone, which also features an augmented reality component, as well as Bada.[10][11]

Gvidi, recommendation system

As reported by TechCrunch, in 2012 the company discovered they possessed valuable data applicable to dining establishments and subsequently introduced an "intelligent restaurant guide" named Gvidi,[7] a no-cost mobile app for both iOS and Android platforms that relies on an advanced recommendation system.[12]

The name Gvidi derives from Esperanto: gvidi, pronounced IPA: [ˈgvidi], meaning "to guide," "to lead," or "to direct." It combines a comprehensive listing of eateries such as restaurants and cafes with social media insights to identify the most fitting options for each user.[13] By analyzing the user's social connections across platforms like Facebook, Twitter, AlterGeo, Vkontakte, and Foursquare, alongside their geographical position, the app delivers tailored recommendations. Users can filter venues based on features such as Wi-Fi availability, round-the-clock service, playground presence, smoke-free environments, among others. Additionally, options for table booking[14] and exclusive deals are offered.[15][16][17]

International recognition and awards

AlterGeo earned the title of winner at TechCrunch's The Europas 2013, securing the Best Russian Startup accolade.[18] Furthermore, the company was honored with the Bully Awards in 2012,[19][20] and reached finalist status on both the Red Herring Top 100 Global and Red Herring Top 100 Europe lists.[5]

In 2013, Financial Times identified AlterGeo as one of four emerging "Russia's next tech titans," alongside Yandex, Ozon, and Ecwid,[21] while a year earlier, Informilo featured it within its "Russia's Top 25 Hottest Tech Companies" ranking.[22]

The innovative mobile restaurant search platform Gvidi, developed by AlterGeo, gained recognition for its technological advancement. This project secured the Bully Awards in 2013 as a leading breakthrough technology product,[23] earned first place as Best App Utilizing Google Services in the second Apps4All competition,[24][25] and was awarded Best Idea at the international Tactrick Android Developer Cup.[26][27]

Both AlterGeo and Gvidi brands achieved the highest AAA rating in the Russian Startup Rating system, topping its IT category.[28]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named tech
  2. ↑ http://platform.altergeo.ru/index.php?mode=partners
  3. ↑ "Cossa.ru: "Бегун" вместе с AlterGeo запускают геоконтекстную рекламу (October 31, 2011)". Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Local heroes wanted: firm puts small businesses in the spotlight". RBTH. 8 January 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 http://expert.ru/2012/11/14/uverennyim-shagom-k-pobede/
  6. ↑ Руформатор: История сервиса «АльтерГео»: Android, iPhone и все-все-все
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 TechCrunch: The Russians Are Coming, Bearing An Algorithm-Based Restaurant App Called Gvidi (July 11, 2013)
  8. ↑ Вести.Ru: Вести.net (April 29, 2012)
  9. ↑ "Russia Beyond The Headlines: Restaurant Tips App Takes on Foursquare and Yelp!". Archived from the original on 2013-11-26. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  10. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named mdday
  11. ↑ Windows Phone - Обзоры (W7phone.ru): Геосоциальная сеть AlterGeo выпустила приложение для Windows Phone (September 26, 2012)
  12. ↑ "FeedMyApp: Gvidi. There's a new restaurant guide in town...and it's [sic] name is Gvidi". Archived from the original on 2013-12-02. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  13. ↑ Android Apps on Google Play: Gvidi - your personal guide
  14. ↑ "CNews: iOS-сервис Gvidi запустил онлайн-бронирование столиков в заведениях (April 3, 2013)". Archived from the original on 2013-10-28. Retrieved 2018-10-13.
  15. ↑ SocialTimes: Social Media Sharing Powers Personalized Dining Recommendations On Gvidi (August 9, 2013)
  16. ↑ Apppicker: Gvidi app review: an all-in-one food and beverage guide (September 28, 2013)
  17. ↑ iPhones.ru: App Store | Gvidi. Привет, Foursquare (December 30, 2012)
  18. ↑ Wikinews: ZeptoLab и AlterGeo выиграли The Europas: в Берлине объявили лучшие IT-компании 2012 года (January 25, 2013)
  19. ↑ "White Bull Summits: Meet Our 2012 Bully Award Winners!". Archived from the original on 2012-11-14. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  20. ↑ PHP.RU: Российская компания AlterGeo выиграла Bully Award 2012 (November 6, 2012)
  21. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ft
  22. ↑ "Informilo: Top 25 Hottest Russian Start-ups (May 29, 2012)". Archived from the original on 2012-10-02. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  23. ↑ "Sk.ru: Проект Gvidi сколковского резидента Вай2Гео стал победителем Bully Awards (October 11, 2013)". Archived from the original on November 12, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  24. ↑ "Apps4All: Победители II Конкурса Apps4All". Archived from the original on 2013-12-03. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  25. ↑ Facebook — AlterGeo: post as of April 5, 2013
  26. ↑ East-West Digital News: Restaurant social app Gvidi wins Best Idea award in Tactrick Android Developer Cup (May 17, 2013)
  27. ↑ "Digit: Российская разработка победила в конкурсе приложений для Android (May 14, 2013)". Archived from the original on 2013-12-03. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  28. ↑ "Russian Startup Rating: Results". Archived from the original on 2013-12-03. Retrieved 2013-11-26.

External links

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