Localist ‘social calendar’ platform for universities introduces new versions for smaller orgs

Canton-based startup Localist, the calendar platform that integrates universities online calendars with social media to drive website traffic, is announcing two new versions of its platform today for such smaller organizations as news sites, restaurants and nonprofits.

The two versions:

• Localist Basic: For small entities that need basic event organization functionality, including bloggers, sports teams and Meetup groups. It costs $44 monthly for listing 10 events each month.
• Localist Premium: For organizations, like nonprofits, media companies and concert venues, that need more promotional features and audience social engagement. Premium is $99 a month for listing 40 events each month.

Founded in 2010, Localist originated as a “destination site, built to help people discover great events right in their backyard,” said CEO and founder Mykel Nahorniak in an e-mail. Over time, the software Localist developed became a natural fit for universities interested in beefing up their online calendars, which Localist does by tying in social media and clearing out duplicate events, as well as through its Tailgate mobile app, which allows students to read university calendars on the go. Johns Hopkins University, Cornell and Georgetown, among others, use its social calendar platform.
Since its founding, however, Localist has been fielding requests from smaller organizations to develop a pared-down calendar platform to meet their needs.
“We’re taking what we’ve done well for higher ed, nonprofits and media, and offering it in more refined packages for anyone who wants to connect their audience to events,” Nahorniak said.
Since raising a seed round of $300,000 in 2009, Localist’s five full-time employees have “built the company into sustainability,” said Nahorniak. Right now Localist is hiring a customer service representative and a developer, with plans to double in size this year.
Full disclosure, Localist manages the Baltimore tech calendar for GB.TC that, in a partnership, Technically Baltimore also hosts here.