Widgetbox

Infobox_Company
company_name = Widgetbox
company_type = Privately held companies
company_slogan = widgetizing the web
foundation = 2006
location = San Francisco, CA
company_
homepage = [http://www.widgetbox.com/ www.widgetbox.com] Widgetbox is a San Francisco, California based company that enables people to find, make and distribute web widgets for blogging, social networking services, and personal websites.

The company provides a platform that supports the creation of simple widgets via a web-based interface (" [http://www.widgetbox.com/make_blidget.jsp Blidget] ") and more complex HTML / JavaScript and Flash-based widgets. Using Widgetbox's AppAccelerator, users can use these widgets to create Facebook, Bebo and OpenSocial applications.

Widgets compatible with Widgetbox's platform can be submitted for display within the [http://www.widgetbox.com/ Widgetbox Gallery] , which provides users an easy widget discovery and installation mechanism. Widgets distributed by Widgetbox include a "Get Widget" link which allows users to immediately get the same widget from the site they see it on.

Widgetbox has also worked with social network services, blog platforms and start page operators to provide a white label or lightly-branded edition of the Widgetbox Gallery. These variants of the Widgetbox Gallery allow for quick, code-free installation of a user-selected widget to the operator site.

History

Widgetbox was founded in 2006 by Ed Anuff, Giles Goodwin and Dean Moses. The company debuted the same year at [http://www.demo.com/demonstrators/demo2006fall/79986.php DEMOfall 2006] . Sequoia Capital and Hummer Winblad Venture Partners invested an undisclosed amount in the company in 2007.

A Series B round of funding was announced in January 2008, led by [http://www.northgatecapital.com/ Northgate Capital] . Also returning to invest in this round were Sequoia Capital, Hummer Winblad Venture Partners and independent investor Michael Dearing. [ [http://www.sequoiacap.com/news/widgetbox-closes-$8-million-in-series-b-funding/ WidgetBox receives Series B funding.] ]

Recent updates

August 2007

Widgetbox announced a distribution partnership with iTunes that allows users to create and publish widgets based on an iMix playlist. Known as a [http://www.widgetbox.com/make_mixit.jsp MixIt] , this feature allows iTunes users to distribute an iMix across a number of popular social networks, blogs and start pages.

September 2007

The company launched an [http://docs.widgetbox.com/developers/app-accelerator/ App Accelerator for Facebook] allowing users to create a Facebook application based on their pre-existing widgets. The App Accelerator allows a widget to be registered as its own Facebook application and provides several Facebook Platform-specific optimizations. These include:

The ability to customize application invitation text via a graphical interface or FBML code

The ability to customize application installation and update News Feed messages via a graphical interface or FBML code

A Flash and Javascript API that developers can use to send profile box updates and create News Feed messages from within a widget

The ability to overlay a custom image upon Flash-based widgets when displayed on the profile page

An message wall that can appear on both the profile and canvas page

An invitation page that allows users to send application invitations to their friends

The App Accelerator also includes a revenue sharing program called [http://docs.widgetbox.com/developers/devshare/ DevShare] allowing users to earn money on their applications.

November 2007

Widgetbox [http://docs.widgetbox.com/developers/opensocial/ announced and launched beta support] for Google's OpenSocial initiative. Users are provided an OpenSocial installation URLs for each widget listed in the company's widget gallery. The company has stated that it will increase integration with OpenSocial containers as the API reaches production quality.

Concurrently, support for [http://docs.widgetbox.com/developers/guide/import-a-google-gadget/ the import of Google Gadgets] into Widgetbox's system was introduced.

December 2007

Widgetbox participated in the launch of the Bebo Open Application Platform, showcasing two applications supporting Bebo's implementation of Facebook Platform.

January 2008

Building upon their participation in the Bebo Open Application Platform Launch, Widgetbox [http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/1/prweb621331.htm released] an [http://docs.widgetbox.com/developers/bebo/ App Accelerator for Bebo] . Similar in function to the App Accelerator for Facebook, Widgetbox users can convert their existing widgets into Bebo applications.

On January 31st, Widgetbox announced that they had raised an additional $8m in Series B funding, led by Northgate Capital. Also returning invest in the company were Sequoia Capital, Hummer Winblad Venture Partners and independent investor Michael Dearing.

March 2008

Widgetbox announced that Will Price, a General Partner at Hummer Winblad Venture Partners and member of the Widgetbox Board of Directors, has joined the company as its CEO.

April 2008

Widgetbox announced the creation of an iPhone and iPod Touch widget gallery.

September 2008

Widgetbox launched the Widgetbox Blog Network in time for [http://www.blogworldexpo.com/ Blog World 2008] . Users can join channels by way of placing a widget on their page, allowing them to share blog content with other members.

October 2008

Widgetbox and Yardbarker announced a partnership where a Widgetbox widget will network the 600+ blogs in the Yardbarker network, growing the reach of Widgetbox and creating a better relationship between the sports bloggers.

References

* [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/18/technology/18basics.html?ex=1326776400&en=7688d1334eb3722f&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland More Bling for your Blog]
* [http://www.techcrunch.com/tag/widgetbox/ Techcrunch References]
* [http://www.sys-con.com/read/415714.htm Widgetbox creates Showcase for new My iTunes web widgets]
* [http://www.prwebdirect.com/releases/2007/9/prweb556554.htm Widgetbox Launches App Accelerator for Facebook]
* [http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/1/prweb621331.htm Widgetbox Launches App Accelerator for Bebo]
* [http://mashable.com/2008/10/07/widgetbox-yardbarker/ Widgetbox Partners with Yardbarker]

External links

* [http://www.widgetbox.com/ Widgetbox Gallery]
* [http://www.widgetbox.com/network Widgetbox Blog Network]
* [http://blog.widgetbox.com/ Widgetbox Blog]
* [http://www.widgetbox.com/info/inside-the-box/about-us/ About Widgetbox]