Knowledge sharing Q&A and discussion sites likeQuoraandStack Exchangeare hot stuff right now and Swiss startupLoqize.meis one of a number of companies looking to move the format into the location space.

The service allows users to ask questions about locations – whether it’s a specific place or a wider area. So, if you want to know “Where’s the best place to get a coffee in Dublin?”, “What are the essential sights to see in Tokyo?” or “Who are the best organic farmers in Spain?”, this is the place to do it.

Answers can be tied to specific locations on an embedded map. As numerous answers are added, this becomes an easy way to view and compare differing suggestions quickly. Similar to the way Quora works, it’s possible to follow users, questions and specific locations.

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While a number of services likeCrowdbeaconandLoqly(which we previously reviewedhere) are attempting to capitalise on users’ willingness to share local knowledge, Loqize.me is most similar toHipster, one of the startups that was vying for buzz at SXSW. In fact, at first glance it’s almost identical to Hipster.

Should it be described as a ‘Hipster clone’ though? Philip Estrada Reichen, CEO and Co-Founder of Loquize.me argues not. “We started Loqize.me in early summer 2010, way before anyone had ever heard of Hipster. I guess that’s one of the disadvantages coming out of Europe, but we follow our own vision and have our own take on the space.”

Indeed, Estrada Reichen notes that his solution isn’t restricted to pre-defined areas like Hipster. “You will not find aloqize.me/newyorkcityand aloqize.me/boston, therefore enabling questions like ‘I’m doing a road-trip along the East Coast. What should I see and where should I stop?’ or ‘What are the top 3 beaches in the world to surf?’. You can’t ask these type of questions on Hipster.”

Loqize.me is currently in private beta, but we have invites for 50 The Next Web readers.Just visitthis pageand enter the codeTNW, but be quick – they’re sure to go fast.

Story byMartin SFP Bryant

Martin SFP Bryant is the founder of UK startup newsletter PreSeed Now and technology and media consultancy Big Revolution. He was previously(show all)Martin SFP Bryant is the founder of UK startup newsletterPreSeed Nowand technology and media consultancyBig Revolution. He was previously Editor-in-Chief at TNW.

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