Times Internet's TimesCity acquires location-based restaurant recommendation app Gawbl

Online nightlife and restaurant guide TimesCity, part of Times Internet Ltd, has acquired location-based restaurant recommendation app Gawbl for an undisclosed amount. Gawbl was developed four months ago by a Pune-based team, led by Chiragh Kirpalani. Post the acquisition, Kirpalani will join TimesCity as head of mobile and his team will also be part of TimesCity going forward.

"I believe we can bring great user experience to a wider user base across India by working with the Times Group," said Kirpalani, commenting on the development.

Gawbl comes up with recommendations for nearby restaurants, based on a user's mood (there is a mood filter for that), preference and location. For now, the app has been taken off Google Play Store, but it will be soon re-launched with additional features and updates.

"The addition of the Gawbl team will enable us to deliver a mobile-first user experience for the TimesCity community," said Miten Sampat, business head of TimesCity.

This is the second acquisition by Times Internet in the past eight months. In November last year, it acquired men's lifestyle portal MensXP.com for an undisclosed amount.

(Edited by Sanghamitra Mandal)