Brier Dudley's Blog

Brier Dudley offers a critical look at technology and business issues affecting the Northwest.

February 25, 2008 4:10 PM

New Seattle search company aims at lifestyle topics

Pioneer Square startup Dipiti is formally launching its "human-powered" Web search service on Tuesday. It's also announcing that it has hired a chief executive:

Dipiti

Dave Rice

Dave Rice, formerly chief executive of online classifieds venture AdPay.

Dipiti reviews and scores thousands of community forums and discussion Web sites, then draws on this information to answer queries about "life questions," such as health, pets, finances and legal issues. Users can also review and rate the information sources.

The site says its "goal is to help online users gain answers and support through available and hard to find online resources."

Here's how Dipiti's initial investor, Scott Oki of Bellevue's Oki Developments, explained it in the release:

"Dipiti has a unique opportunity to link the contextual strength of human-filtered search with the wealth of information and advice found in vertically focused online community content," he said.

Dipiti was founded in January 2007, launched a beta version in August and has nine employees. Its board includes Oki, Erik Anderson of WestRiver Capital and Chuck DelGrande of Presidio Merchant Partners.

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Posted by Mat

8:22 AM, Feb 29, 2008

I'm wondering how Dipiti relates with Nervana (www.nervana.com). They have the same logo (the little star) and the same backers, Scott Oki and Erik Anderson. Are they using the same engine as Nervana?

Posted by Brier

11:12 AM, Feb 29, 2008

Great question. My editor had also asked about the relationship. Here's the response I received when I followed up today:

"The founding team at Dipiti did work for Nervana and the companies do have common investors, but that's where the similarities end. Dipiti has a different technology base, different target customers, its own board of directors, etc... And Nervana still exists under the leadership of founder/CEO Nosa Omoigui."

That statement came via a spokesman, who attributed it to Dipiti CEO Dave Rice.