Biz Stone leads $3M round for messaging app that lets you chat with nearby stores

An India-based messaging startup called Lookup announced today that it raised $3 million in a round led by Twitter cofounder Biz Stone.

The app lets local businesses and shoppers connect with one another, so customers can place orders, check prices and availability, and book appointments via chat.

“I am extremely thrilled that Biz Stone is personally investing in our Series A round,” said Deepak Ravindran, Lookup’s founder and CEO. “It is almost surreal.”

The company launched in October 2014 on Android and made its way to iOS in March. That very same month, Facebook announced its Messenger Platform, enabling users to chat directly with businesses — perfect timing.

Previously, the company raised a $382,000 seed round. Reached by VentureBeat, Lookup declined to share how much Stone invested and wouldn’t reveal other participating investors.