Walk Score, a site that provides an automated walkability rating for any address in the U.S., Canada and New Zealand by analyzing its proximity to restaurants, cafes, parks, libraries and other amenities, announced that it raised $2 million from investors to grow the fledgling Seattle-based business.
Shel Kaphan, former chief technology officer of Amazon.com, and Rudy Gadre, former Facebook general counsel, are among the investors who contributed to Walk Score’s first foray into raising serious capital. Walk Score CEO Josh Herst wants a property’s "Walk Score" to be an integral part of every real estate listing in the future — up there with beds and baths.
Founded in 2007, Walk Score offers services like Neighborhood Flier, which shows a map of nearby amenities for any property an agent is showing. The company also recently introduced a Custom Commute Report service, which estimates commutes for any address, by car, public transit, bike or foot.
"We’re hoping to build another great Seattle real estate company to go along with Zillow, Redfin, Windermere, etc.," said Walk Score chief technology officer Matt Lerner.
