Untappd

Untappd operates as a geosocial networking service and mobile application centered on the beer industry, founded on October 22, 2010, by Greg Avola and Tim Mather. The co-founders, a software engineer and a designer who connected on Twitter, initially developed Untappd as a side project to create a social, real-time component for beer drinking, inspired by the check-in functionality of Foursquare. The platform was built and scaled with no initial venture capital funding. In January 2016, Untappd merged with Next Glass, a beverage recommendation software provider, which allowed the founders to transition to full-time roles and expand the company's resources.

The business model encompasses two primary segments: a consumer-facing social application and a B2B platform, "Untappd for Business". The consumer app allows millions of users globally to "check-in" beers, rate them, share photos, and earn gamified badges. This fosters a community of beer enthusiasts and generates a vast database of consumer preferences. The platform serves as a beer discovery tool, enabling users to find nearby venues serving their favorite beers.

Revenue is primarily generated through the subscription-based "Untappd for Business" platform. This service targets establishments like bars, restaurants, and breweries, offering them a suite of digital marketing and menu management tools. Clients can create and publish dynamic digital, print, and QR code menus for beer, wine, spirits, and food, which can be integrated into their websites and social media. The platform provides businesses with valuable analytics on local beer trends and customer purchasing habits, helping them make informed inventory and marketing decisions to drive foot traffic and increase sales. As of early 2025, nearly 20,000 businesses in over 75 countries use the service.

Keywords: beer social network, beverage technology, menu management, data analytics, B2B software, digital marketing, consumer application, craft beer, hospitality technology, QR code menus