New York - Meetup, an online social network that helps grassroots groups organize and create real-world events, announced on Wednesday that it has received an investment from Union Square Ventures.

The amount of the investment was not disclosed.

Founded in 2002, New York-based Meetup helps groups organize around similar interests, such as knitting, motherhood, paganism, Chihuahuas, Dungeons & Dragons and the Democratic Party.

Over 46,000 groups in 112 countries are currently using the service.

"So why take an investment? Because the world needs more Meetups -- and more powerful Meetups," co-founder and CEO Scott Heiferman wrote on the company's blog.

"We're at-risk of living in front of screens, endlessly Twittering and not forming powerful local community groups. There's endless possibilities to make Meetup better able to help people self-organize powerful local groups!

"With a shaky economy, it's best to secure and strengthen Meetup for the future with an investor."

Related Links:
http://meetupblog.meetup.com/2008/07/union-square-ventures.html

http://www.unionsquareventures.com/2008/07/meetup_the_orig.html