Jigsaw releases suite of APIs

Ronny Kerr · September 17, 2009 · Short URL: https://vator.tv/n/aaa

Developers can now easily modify company applications for accessing Jigsaw’s business data

Jigsaw today announced that it has released a suite of APIs and an accompanying toolkit that enable developers to modify their companies’ Web, desktop, and mobile applications to allow for access to Jigsaw’s enormous business contacts database.

The business directory version of Wikipedia, Jigsaw is a leading provider of business contact and company information, data completely generated by the company’s user base. In the spirit of content-sharing, the company is also launching the Jigsaw Developer Program, whereby companies integrating Jigsaw can give free Jigsaw data away or resell the data to their customers, effectively monetizing their own services. Additionally, if their customers already have Jigsaw accounts, developers can enable them to acquire Jigsaw contact data through their applications.

Despite the economic downturn, Jigsaw has proven its undeniable utility many times over by attaining profitability the past three quarters. The company’s revenue has been doubling for the past four years.

CEO Jim Fowler sees revenue doubling again for 2009. If he’s right, the company’s success will be attributable in no small part to intelligent ideas and forward-thinking implementations, like today’s API release.

With almost a million registered users on Jigsaw exchanging contact information, different people and companies are going to want different avenues to access the giant database. The release of these APIs empowers developers to construct those avenues, ensuring that every Jigsaw customer will be happy with at least one solution available.

Proof of the simplicity of integrating applications with Jigsaw, eighteen companies have already joined the Jigsaw Developer Program, including Jobvite, Marketo, and SugarCRM.

Marketo, for example, has embedded a Jigsaw icon into its social sales application, Marketo Sales Insight. Customers who click the icon gain access to phone numbers and email addresses of 13 million Jigsaw contacts.

Seeing as how a score of companies are already planning on taking full advantage of Jigsaw’s new APIs, it’s clear that this will be a big hit for the company.

Ronny Kerr

All author posts

Related Companies, Investors, and Entrepreneurs

Marketo

Startup/Business

Joined Vator on April 3, 2008

Marketo provides sophisticated yet easy on-demand marketing software that helps mid-market and enterprise B2B marketing professionals drive revenue and improve marketing accountability. Our demand generation solutions automate lead generation campaigns and lead management activities – including email marketing, lead nurturing, lead scoring, and landing page optimization – to help marketers generate and qualify sales leads, shorten sales cycles, and improve conversion rates. At the same time, our marketing analytics give marketers the tools they need to measure results and demonstrate marketing accountability, helping turn marketing from a cost center into a revenue-generating part of the company.

Marketo’s on-demand marketing products are easy to buy because they don’t require complex implementation or upfront fees, easy to own because they don’t require IT support, and easy to use without specialized technical skills or significant training. Pricing starts as low as $1,500 a month, and qualified customers who commit to running a production campaign can get started with a free trial that includes set-up, training, and integration.

Jigsaw

Startup/Business

Joined Vator on July 21, 2009

Jigsaw is the industry leader in Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) and business contact information, uniquely leveraging content from its global B2B community. Jigsaw provides salespeople, marketers, and recruiters access to millions of business contacts and company profiles. Every contact is complete with a phone number (70%+ direct dial), position, email, and mailing address. Founded in 2004, Jigsaw is located in San Mateo, Calif. and funded by Austin Ventures, El Dorado Ventures, and Norwest Venture Partners.

Update: Jigsaw was acquired by Salesforce in 2010 for $175 million.

Jobvite

Startup/Business

Joined Vator on April 25, 2008

Jobvite creates recruitment solutions that fundamentally change the way companies hire. We think collaboration, not automation, builds great companies. Our on demand recruitment application is radically easy to use, so everyone can use it. That brings control, visibility and speed to hiring for companies who need the best people to succeed. Jobvite customers include leading edge companies like TiVo, Infinera, SupportSoft, Mattson and Tellme. Contact Jobvite at www.jobvite.com.

Jobvite helps growing companies find and hire the best candidates faster, with less effort, and lower cost. If you are a fast growing company, an ambitious company, a company that wants to set the world on fire, Jobvite can help. Jobvite is based in San Francisco.

SugarCRM

Startup/Business

Joined Vator on April 30, 2008

SugarCRM is the world's leading provider of commercial open source customer relationship management (CRM) software for companies of all sizes. Sugar easily adapts to any business environment by offering a more flexible, cost-effective alternative than proprietary applications. SugarCRM's open source architecture allows companies to more easily customize and integrate customer-facing business processes in order to build and maintain more profitable relationships. SugarCRM offers several deployment options, including on-demand, on-premise and appliance-based solutions to suit customers' security, integration and configuration needs.