Google Maps’ Open-Source Rival Gets Huge Boost As Telenav Buys OpenStreetMap Leader Skobbler

Summary: The Berlin startup scene also has another big exit to be proud of, with the deal carrying a value of just under $24 million.

The Berlin startup scene has its first big exit of 2014, and indeed one of its largest yet: navigation veteran Telenav has picked up local OpenStreetMap specialist Skobbler for $23.8 million.

It’s not just good news for Berlin, either. For those involved in OpenStreetMap (OSM), a global, crowdsourced, open-source mapping project, it represents a potentially healthy consolidation. OSM founder Steve Coast recently joined Telenav, and Skobbler is the leader in OSM integration and commercial use. The team’s all together now, and all those 1.5 million OSM contributors will now see their work put to greater use — with a good deal more investment, too.

The nice thing about OSM is that, even when the data finds its way into commercial maps, anyone can still download it and find their own use for it. This is a markedly different model from Google’s, in which contributors can improve Google Maps but can’t then get data out of it.