Ask.com

Ask.com, established in 1996, is a leading global digital brand and top 10 U.S. website, serving over 100 million monthly users. Initially known as Ask Jeeves, it pioneered natural language search. In 2005, IAC acquired the company and rebranded it as Ask.com in 2006. In 2010, Ask.com reintroduced its question and answer (Q&A) platform, combining search technology with human responses to address complex or opinion-based queries. The company also launched a mobile application, downloaded over 3 million times. Ask.com's acquisitions of nRelate (2012) and About.com (2012) expanded its content offerings. Ask.com operates as a question answering-focused web search engine, delivering answers from the web and real people, with ads served by Google.

Garrett Gruener

Founder

14 past transactions

The Evergreen Project

Acquisition in 2016
The Evergreen Project was founded in 1996 by a group of educators. The company produces K-12 Web-based programs in life science, geography and environmental economics. The company also produces a series of Web WorkShops to assist teachers in integrating the Internet and computer applications into the curriculum.

Ask.fm

Acquisition in 2014
Ask.fm is a prominent question-and-answer platform primarily targeted at teenagers, boasting over 215 million members across more than 150 countries. The platform allows users to engage with one another by asking both anonymous and open questions, facilitating a unique social interaction environment. By enabling users to connect and communicate in this manner, Ask.fm has established itself as a significant player in the realm of online social platforms for younger audiences.

nRelate

Acquisition in 2012
nRelate, founded in 2009 by Neil Mody and Oliver Wellington, is a content recommendation platform that assists online publishers in enhancing traffic and revenue through targeted article suggestions. Acquired by Ask.com in 2012, nRelate offers a range of tools designed to increase audience engagement. Its primary product is a related content plugin that analyzes the content of a webpage and recommends relevant articles from the publisher's own site or from partner sources. This enables content marketers to connect with audiences who are already engaged with trusted material, thereby optimizing content distribution and improving overall site performance.

Sendori

Acquisition in 2009
Sendori is a company focused on enhancing digital marketing solutions for advertisers and publishers, aiming to reduce costs, generate revenue, and protect brand equity. It offers a diverse range of high-converting traffic through both proprietary and third-party network sources. Sendori utilizes patented one-click redirect technology and a robust ad serving platform to optimize digital advertising campaigns, driving conversions while minimizing the cost per acquisition. Additionally, the company provides internet navigation support that improves the customer experience by facilitating faster access to popular websites and enhancing security by reducing the risk of typos that could lead to malicious sites.

Lexico Publishing Group

Acquisition in 2008
Lexico is a provider of language reference products and services on the Internet, including Dictionary.com, called "the best general English-language dictionary online" by Web Guide magazine; Thesaurus.com, their award-winning online version of Roget's Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases; Reference.com an online encyclopedia, almanac and Web guide; and CleverKeys, software that gives instant access to our services from almost any program on Windows or Macintosh platforms.

Excite

Acquisition in 2005
Excite.com is a personalization web portal that offers a range of services, including an internet search engine. The platform is designed to provide users with tailored content and functionalities, enabling them to easily access information and resources online. Excite.com aims to enhance the user experience by combining effective search capabilities with curated content, making it a comprehensive destination for internet users seeking relevant and personalized information.

Bloglines

Acquisition in 2005
Bloglines is a prominent online platform that enables users to search, subscribe to, publish, and share RSS feeds, blogs, and various web content. Established in 2003 by Mark Fletcher, Bloglines is recognized as one of the largest news and feed aggregators globally, boasting over 2 million users. Operating under Reply! Inc., the service is free and accessible on any web-enabled device, including desktops and mobile phones. Users can customize and arrange their feeds in various ways to meet their personal preferences. The platform has undergone several acquisitions, notably being bought by MerchantCircle in November 2010 and previously by Ask.com in February 2005. Bloglines continues to provide a user-friendly experience for managing rich web content across diverse topics.

Tukaroo

Acquisition in 2004
Tukaroo, Inc. designs and develops desktop search and file management software. The company’s technology assists in accessing, viewing, and managing the information in real time. Tukaroo was founded in 2003 and is based in San Jose, California.

Interactive Search Holdings

Acquisition in 2004
Interactive Search Holdings whose properties and subsidiaries include My Way, My Search, My Web Search, iWon, Excite and MaxOnline, is one of the largest online search and media companies in the world.

Octopus

Acquisition in 2002
Octopus Deploy is a deployment automation platform that assists software teams in delivering high-quality applications reliably and securely. It addresses the complexities of continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) by streamlining the process of getting software into production with minimal downtime. The platform integrates seamlessly with various build servers, enhancing their capabilities with a robust set of over 300 deployment and operations-related features. Octopus Deploy supports a wide range of applications, including .NET, Java, and Node, and is suitable for both cloud and on-premises environments. By enabling teams to automate deployments and manage releases effectively, Octopus Deploy ensures consistency across different teams and environments, thereby reducing risks associated with software deployment.

Teoma Technologies

Acquisition in 2001
Teoma Technologies is a technology-focused company that operates an internet search engine platform. It utilizes a proprietary algorithm to power its search engine, which is supported by its own database. This unique technological foundation enables Teoma to deliver efficient and effective search capabilities, distinguishing itself in the competitive landscape of internet search services.

eTour

Acquisition in 2001
eTour is an online search engine based in Atlanta, Georgia, that functions as a web-surfing guide. The company specializes in providing users with tailored connections to websites that align with their individual interests. In addition to its primary web-surfing services, eTour also engages in internet media and direct marketing. Through its innovative platform, the company aims to enhance the online browsing experience by facilitating personalized website recommendations.

Direct Hit

Acquisition in 2000
Direct Hit is a Massachusetts company that had developed a "click popularity" search technology, which was licensed to MSN and [Lycos](/organization/lycos), among others. They were acquired by [Ask.com](http://www.crunchbase.com/organization/ask-com) in February of 2000.

NetEffect Sytems

Acquisition in 1999
NetEffect has offered dependable cybersecurity and IT services to companies in Las Vegas.
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