2GIS

2GIS is a Russian-origin digital mapping and local-search brand that combines detailed city maps with structured information about organizations, buildings, public transport, and routes. The project began in Novosibirsk in the late 1990s within Technograd Plus, a company that produced professional geographic-information systems. Its initial consumer proposition was a free electronic directory linked to a city map. Rather than relying only on map display or road routing, the service was designed to help people find businesses and institutions and then understand where they were located, how to contact them, when they were open, and how to reach their entrances. The first DoubleGIS release appeared on April 25, 1999. The product was distributed through CDs and later through websites, desktop software, and mobile applications. Its free-distribution model was supported primarily by advertising and paid business visibility, allowing users to access the directory without a subscription fee. The company gradually built its own cartographic, information-verification, sales, and customer-support processes instead of depending entirely on purchased databases or outside advertising agencies. This operational model helped it maintain localized directories covering addresses, telephone numbers, opening hours, categories, services, and building entrances. During the 2000s, DoubleGIS expanded from Novosibirsk into other Russian cities through branches, concessions, and franchise arrangements. The brand developed online and mobile versions, including earlier support for Windows Mobile, Windows Phone, and Symbian before concentrating on modern web, iOS, and Android products. In 2011 it rebranded the products as 2GIS, commonly explained as “2 geoinformation system,” and entered Moscow. International expansion followed, first into Italy and then into the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Chile, Ukraine, Central Asia, and the United Arab Emirates. In Arab markets the service has also been presented under the Urbi name. Its current product family includes web and mobile maps, searchable city guides, driving and pedestrian navigation, public-transport routing, traffic and road-event information, offline city data, tourism guides, business-profile management, and developer tools through the 2GIS API. The company has also created specialized tools such as Cargo Navigator, which takes freight-vehicle characteristics into account, and All Directories, a business-facing product for monitoring listings, reviews, and photographs across online services. In some markets, 2GIS data has been integrated into partner applications and devices, including Russian-language mapping and ecosystem products associated with Sberbank. 2GIS has positioned itself as a local-information platform rather than only a general-purpose navigation application. Its differentiation depends on the depth and local specificity of its organization directory, the connection between map objects and business profiles, and the ability to provide offline or low-connectivity access in some products. Company-reported figures cited in reference material stated that its maps covered 765 cities in 2021, with more than 20.5 million daily searches and over 56 million monthly users globally. These are company claims and should not be treated as independently audited figures. The brand remains active, although the availability of particular applications and services can differ by country, platform, sanctions environment, and local operating arrangement.

2GIS originated within Technograd Plus, a Novosibirsk company that developed professional geographic-information systems. After the economic disruption of the late 1990s reduced demand for expensive commissioned projects, the company sought a mass-market use for its mapping expertise. Earlier CD products had also been widely copied, weakening the prospects for selling essentially the same material. Alexander Sysoev proposed a free electronic product combining a geographic information system with a city information guide. The business would distribute the product without charge and generate revenue through advertising and commercial listings. The first DoubleGIS release was issued on April 25, 1999. A second major interface version followed in 2001, alongside the company website and an update service. The business initially experimented with external databases, advertising agencies, and outside specialists, but later created its own information, sales, and directory-management functions. In 2002, the application was distributed free on CDs to approximately 15,000 Novosibirsk offices, helping establish the product as a practical workplace reference tool. In 2004, the project became an independent business unit, DoubleGIS LLC. The same year it opened a branch in Omsk and signed concession agreements covering Tomsk, Barnaul, and Novokuznetsk. This marked the beginning of systematic expansion across Russian cities through a mixture of company branches and partner arrangements. In 2007 the company opened a franchise in Odesa and branches in Chelyabinsk and Perm, while releasing DoubleGIS 3.0 with a redesigned interface. It also moved toward online distribution and mobile computing, launching web and Windows Mobile versions in 2006. A major identity change came in 2011, when DoubleGIS products were renamed 2GIS. The company entered Moscow, launched Android and iOS applications, and increasingly presented the service as a cross-platform map and local-search system. International development began in 2012 with Venice and Padua in Italy, followed by launches or coverage in the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Chile, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and the United Arab Emirates. The United Arab Emirates service later received the separate Urbi identity, with English- and Arabic-language products. The platform expanded beyond directory lookup. In 2016 it introduced vehicle navigation with spoken directions, followed by pedestrian and public-transport routing. In 2017 it added travel guides and user reviews and ratings. In 2018 it introduced road-event information, including incidents and road hazards. Public-transport vehicle tracking was added in 2019, while long-distance routing and a global map of Russia were also introduced. In 2020, the company launched Cargo Navigator, which considers freight-vehicle dimensions, weight, and axle loads when calculating routes. 2GIS also developed tools for companies and partners. Its API provides access to map and directory functions, while the All Directories application, released in 2021, gives businesses tools for managing profiles and monitoring reviews and photographs. The company entered partnerships with hardware manufacturers, mapping platforms, financial-technology and delivery services, and public authorities. In 2020, Sberbank acquired a controlling stake, and 2GIS became part of the Sber ecosystem, where its maps and directory data could be integrated into Sber-related and third-party applications. In 2021, 2GIS announced an investment and acquisition of 47% of Belarusian data-management company RocketData. Current ownership and availability vary by jurisdiction, particularly where sanctions or platform restrictions affect Russian companies.

• 2022

  iOS distribution disrupted

  [1]2GISen.wikipedia.org

  The 2GIS iOS application was removed from the App Store following sanctions affecting Sberbank.

• 2021

  All Directories and RocketData expansion

  [1]2GISen.wikipedia.org

  2GIS launched All Directories for business profile management and announced a 47% investment in RocketData.

• 2020

  Sberbank becomes controlling shareholder

  [1]2GISen.wikipedia.org

  Sberbank acquired 72% of 2GIS and O2O Holding acquired an additional 3%.

• 2016

  Driving navigator launched

  [1]2GISen.wikipedia.org

  2GIS introduced a car-navigation product with route directions and voice instructions.

• 2015

  First reported equity financing

  [1]2GISen.wikipedia.org

  Baring Vostok and ru-Net invested in the company to support products, Russian expansion, and international growth.

• 2012

  First expansion outside the CIS

  [1]2GISen.wikipedia.org

  2GIS launched city coverage in Venice and Padua, Italy.

• 2011

  Rebranding to 2GIS

  [1]2GISen.wikipedia.org

  The DoubleGIS identity was replaced by 2GIS, alongside entry into Moscow and the release of Android and iOS applications.

• 2004

  Independent business unit created

  [1]2GISen.wikipedia.org

  DoubleGIS LLC was separated from the original project, and the company began expanding through branches and concession partners.

• 2001

  Website and update service introduced

  [1]2GISen.wikipedia.org

  DoubleGIS developed a new interface, launched a website, and established an update service for its directory and map data.

• 1999

  First DoubleGIS release

  [1]2GISen.wikipedia.org

  The first version of the free electronic city directory and map was released in Novosibirsk on April 25.

An integrated urban-information platform that connects detailed maps, local business data, city guides, and navigation.

• Digital maps and local search · 1999

  2GIS map and city directory

  The core service combines maps of streets, buildings, entrances, and urban infrastructure with searchable profiles for companies and organizations. Listings may include addresses, telephone numbers, opening hours, websites, services, payment methods, and other category-specific information. The product is available through desktop, web, and mobile formats, with offline access supported in parts of the product family.

• Navigation · 2016

  2GIS Navigator

  A routing product that connects directory search with driving, walking, and public-transport directions. Routes can often be calculated to a building entrance rather than only to a street address. Features vary by city and market and have included voice guidance, traffic information, public-transport tracking, and long-distance routing.

• Developer platform

  2GIS API

  A set of tools that enables 2GIS map and directory content to be used in the company’s products and integrated into partner services. The API supports applications that need map display, organization search, and related geographic or directory functions. Access, documentation, and commercial terms depend on the applicable market and service.

• Business software · 2021

  All Directories

  A business-oriented application released in 2021. It provides tools for managing a company’s 2GIS profile and monitoring reviews, photographs, and other information appearing in online directories, maps, and social platforms. The product extends 2GIS from consumer search into business data and reputation management.

• Freight navigation · 2020

  Cargo Navigator

  A navigation mode for freight vehicles that takes parameters such as vehicle dimensions, weight, and axle load into account when calculating routes. It was introduced for Russian mobile applications and selected cities in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, and the United Arab Emirates.

• Regional mapping and city guide · 2020

  Urbi

  A 2GIS-related service identity used in Arab markets, particularly the United Arab Emirates. Urbi provides maps, business directories, and navigation in English and Arabic through mobile applications and the urbi.ae website.

• 2021MAKS-2021 air-show map

  Russia

  2GIS prepared a detailed map for the MAKS-2021 air show at Zhukovsky, including visitor infrastructure and aircraft parking areas.

  Outcome. Event mapping project

  Source
• 2020Coronavirus in Russia map

  Russia

  The company created an interactive project showing regional COVID-19 spread and modeled differences between quarantine and non-quarantine scenarios.

  Outcome. Public-information project

  Source
• 2020Russian Cities Recovery Index

  Russia

  2GIS developed an index tracking urban recovery after pandemic restrictions, using indicators related to mobility, resident activity, and demand for goods and services.

  Outcome. Regularly updated analytical project

  Source
• 2019Westeros interactive map

  Russia · Online

  2GIS partnered with Amediateka and HBO Home of HBO on an interactive map of Westeros and Essos to coincide with the finale of Game of Thrones.

  Outcome. Limited-time entertainment promotion

  Source
• 20142GIS Sochi Winter Edition

  Russia

  A special mobile edition prepared for visitors to the Sochi Winter Olympics. It included a locally preloaded map and directory, English-language information, and categories selected for visitors.

  Outcome. Event-specific city guide

  Source

• 2020

  Join the Sber ecosystemM&A

  Background

  2GIS sought to extend the use of its maps and directory data through integrations with consumer and business applications.

  Action taken

  Sberbank acquired 72% of the company and O2O Holding acquired a further 3%.

  Aftermath

  2GIS began developing integration tools for Sber ecosystem applications and third-party services.

  Source

• 2020

  Introduce Cargo NavigatorProduct launch

  Background

  Standard navigation does not account adequately for restrictions affecting commercial vehicles.

  Action taken

  2GIS launched a freight-navigation mode using vehicle dimensions, weight, and axle-load information in route calculation.

  Aftermath

  The feature became available in Russia and selected cities in several other operating markets.

  Source

• 2011

  Adopt the 2GIS brandStrategy

  Background

  The original DoubleGIS product had expanded beyond a downloadable directory into web, mobile, and multi-city services.

  Action taken

  The company rebranded its products as 2GIS and expanded into Moscow while launching Android and iOS applications.

  Aftermath

  The new identity accompanied broader Russian coverage and subsequent international expansion.

  Source

1. 12GISen.wikipedia.org