Wordmap's initial prototypes were developed in 1998 - 99 by one of the world's leading computational linguists, working with our founders. The Company's early investors included Reuters Venture Capital and IIU, Dermot Desmond's outstandingly successful venture organisation. Early customers such as Factiva and Schlumberger Oilfield Services helped to shape Wordmap's taxonomy management software, which has led innovation in its field since its launch in 2000. In January 2007, Wordmap was acquired by Earley & Associates, a leading consultancy in taxonomy, metadata and content management. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Earley & Associates, Wordmap can now offer its customers access to a wide range of the operational, editorial and business process skills that are often essential to the success of taxonomy related projects.