The Chicago Sun-Times reports that a new metasearch engine from Info.com (great domain name) is launching today.
Info.com employs 10, mostly Web designers and engineers. [Steven] Scarr, 41 [Info.com CEO], and one other employee are based in Chicago, with two more expected to be added here soon. Scarr said Info.com so far has received $8 million in backing, primarily from angel investors.
I haven’t had much time to check out the site but here’s what I was able to learn.
+ Web engine engine pulls results from 14 web databases including Google, Teoma, AltaVista, Fast, Overture, Inktomi, Ask Jeeves and Yahoo. Note: AV, Fast, Inktomi, Overture and Yahoo share the same underlying database but use different relevancy algos. Ask Jeeves and Teoma also share the same database. Unlike some other meta engines the database where an item was found is not provided.
+ News Search powered by Topix.net
+ Shopping database powered by Shopping.com
+ White and Yellow Page lookups.
Scarr said Info.com expects soon to offer access to proprietary health and flight information. “Our model is to have the best search engines in any given sector. We want to be an umbrella brand for an intuitive, fast and simple gateway.”