A Cincinnati web entrepreneur has developed a new social search engine that allows groups to collaborate, organize and save topic searches with
SearchTeam.com.
"Searching has been a lonely, solo activity to date. But by delivering real-time as well as asynchronous collaborative searching, SearchTeam is bringing a fundamentally new way to search and research information in personal, education, business and other professional settings," says founder Sundar Kadayam.
The engine is an outgrowth of his
Zakta.com search engine. Launched in 2009, Zakta was developed as personal engine that allows editing, saving and categorization of results.
It allows members to create profiles in a "SearchSpace," where they can invite others to search with them. Results can be saved into topic folders and others can "like" and comment on topic results. SearchTeam also has a chat feature that allows for coordination of searches.
Potential uses include vacation planning, genealogy research, R&D and patent research. The tool is especially useful in the educational realm, where students can use it for group research projects. Teachers, can use it in distance learning programs.
"It really is imaginative and ingenious. The ability to work together as a group adds a whole new dimension to searching, especially for students who are used to working together in groups," Kadayam says.
Zakta is currently located in Blue Ash's
Vora Innovation Center. The company has several interns and part-time employers, with plans to expand with some full-time employees later this year. The company has received investment from
CincyTech, Vora Ventures and some private angel investors, Kadayam says.
Source: Sundar Kadayam, SearchTeam.com
Writer: Feoshia Henderson
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