AOL has bought San Diego based widget startup Goowy Media for an undisclosed amount, it announced today.
Goowy began in 2004 as a Flash-based web desktop but switched its focus to widget platform YourMinis, which aims to serve widget discovery and development.
Goowy CEO Alex Bard tells EPICENTER that Goowy's tehnology will be implemented within AOL to help virally distribute AOL content through the Goowy widget platform. The company also plans to attach AOL advertising to Goowy's platform to help AOL monetize its content.
Why AOL? "We couldn't imagine a better partner," says Bard. AOL and Goowy have worked together since the beginning of 2007.
Though the widget space is getting crowded with competitors like Clearspring, Widgetbox and Slide, Bard says that AOL's size will help Goowy rise above the fray. "With AOL, we can become the clear leader." says Bard.
For the moment, the six-man startup will stay at their headquarters in
San Diego, though Bard did mention that there will probably be "quite a bit of travel in the short term."
Goowy has only had one round of funding, in 2006. It was backed by Broadcast.com founder (and Dallas Mavericks owner) Mark Cuban for an undisclosed amount, rumored to be less than $1 million. AOL and Goowy representatives did not disclose the terms of today's acquisition.
