HomeAway cozies up to Uber, Instacart, Gogobot

HomeAway Inc. announced plans to team with three makers of mobile applications that could be popular with vacation home renters.

The Austin-based company plans to connect users of its website with Uber Inc., Instacart Inc. and Gogobot Inc. — three California startups that develop apps for travelers, according to a Wednesday news release.

Uber Inc. operates the car service mobile application, Instacart operates the grocery delivery app and Gogobot developed a mobile app for activity and restaurant recommendations. HomeAway is also making a "multimillion dollar, minority-stake investment" in Gogobot, the release indicates.

The idea behind the arrangements is to enable HomeAway property owners to provide renters with additional information such as directions to the property, Wi-Fi passwords and guidebooks highlighting favorite local attractions, restaurants and activities.

HomeAway, founded in early 2005, operates websites listing vacation home rentals. It employs about 1,542 workers, including 612 outside the United States. About 900 work at HomeAway offices spread throughout Austin.

Last week, company shares slumped after HomeAway reported lower third-quarter profits and its fourth-quarter revenue estimates missed analysts' projections.

It posted a net income of $5.2 million, or 5 cents per share, on revenue of $117.1 million compared with a net income of $8.3 million, or 10 cents per share, on revenue of $90.1 million during the same period last year, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

TechFlash: Austin's best tech news in your inbox, every weekday. Subscribe for free here.

Christopher Calnan covers technology, finance and clean energy for the Austin Business Journal. Subscribe to the Energy Inc. newsletter