[Germany] Berlin-based aka-aki, the location-based social network for mobiles, has hit something of a milestone. The startup is claiming 500,000 sign-ups, up from 350,00 last October.
Writing on the company’s official blog, CEO Gabriel F. Yoran also revealed that the site is seeing 300,000 aki-messages sent daily with average time spent using the service at “about half an hour daily” per member. But perhaps more noteworthy to aka-aki’s investors, which include Creathor Venture and Innovacom, is the 30 million monthly ad impressions being reported.
Aka-aki lets members discover and connect with other members nearby “as they go about their days”. A browser-based desktop version is available along with a mobile version and iPhone app which utilizes the phone’s Bluetooth, WiFi and GPS functionality to aid discovery. Gaming elements are also incorporated.
Yoran is keen to flag up the location-based service’s strict privacy policy, attributing it in-part to aka-aki’s growth.