MapMyIndia, a Delhi-based company that builds GIS & GPS based software has acquired Bangalore-based VIDTEQ—the company that built VideoMaps, a mapping software which allows users to view a video clip of a complete route between any source to any destination within a city. The size of the deal was not disclosed, while the company said that acquisition will allow it to develop Real View Digital Map Twin, a 360-degree mapping platform. VIDTEQ had raised an undisclosed Series A funding from KITVEN in 2011, a VC firm operated by a consortium of Karnataka state-owned corporations. VIDTEQ was founded by Chandra Thimmannagari and Navada Muraleedhara in May of 2008. Its VideoMaps software is live in 20 cities across India and the technology is being used by builders, schools, resorts, businesses, etc. for construction and planning operations. Apart from this, VIDTEQ develops other mapping software with three-dimensional modeling, and products like Drone View, 360 Interior/Exterior View, among others. VIDTEQ also owns mapmyhome.com, a real estate listing portal for new project launches. Issues with geospatial mapping in India Note that in India, the Ministry of Home Affairs had issued a draft “Geospatial Information Regulation Bill" last year which sprang up a debate around how map data is collected by private companies. The bill looked at regulating collection of map-related info, creation of digital maps, and even sharing of map-related data. Although the bill yet to be passed, it could literally make it illegal for private companies and individuals to collect mapping data without a license, and also hinder services of companies like…
