# Firebase > cloud services provider and app development platform **Wikidata**: [Q18150728](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18150728) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firebase) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/firebase ## Summary Firebase is a cloud services provider and app development platform designed to help developers build, deploy, and scale applications. Originally founded as an independent company in 2010, it was acquired by Google and later integrated into its suite of developer tools. Firebase offers backend-as-a-service (BaaS) capabilities, including real-time databases, authentication, hosting, and analytics. ## Key Facts - Founded in 2010 as Firebase, Inc. - Acquired by Google and dissolved around 2014. - Operated primarily in San Francisco, United States. - Categorized as a service on the Internet, a software framework, and part of the software industry. - Provides cloud infrastructure and backend services for mobile and web app development. - Official website: [https://firebase.google.com/](https://firebase.google.com/) - Also known as Google Firebase. - Sitelink count: 24 ## FAQs ### What is Firebase used for? Firebase is used for building and scaling web and mobile applications. It provides backend services such as real-time databases, user authentication, cloud messaging, hosting, and analytics, allowing developers to focus on frontend development without managing servers. ### Who founded Firebase and when? Firebase was founded in 2010 as Firebase, Inc. It was later acquired by Google, with its operations dissolved by 2014. ### Where was Firebase based? Firebase was headquartered in San Francisco, California, United States. ### What industries or sectors is Firebase associated with? Firebase is associated with the software industry, particularly in the areas of app development, cloud computing, and backend-as-a-service platforms. ### Is Firebase still in operation? Firebase was dissolved as an independent entity in 2014 after being acquired by Google. However, its services continue to operate under Google’s developer tools ecosystem. ### What are some related technologies or companies? Firebase is conceptually related to other backend-as-a-service platforms and cloud providers. It shares industry space with companies like Mapbox, which focuses on geospatial tools and mapping technologies for developers. ## Why It Matters Firebase revolutionized app development by abstracting backend complexities, enabling developers to build and scale applications without managing infrastructure. Its real-time database and integrated tools made it especially popular among startups and mobile developers. As part of Google’s ecosystem, Firebase became a foundational tool in modern cloud-based application development, influencing how developers approach backend services and real-time data synchronization. ## Notable For - Being one of the early adopters of Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) architecture. - Integration into Google’s cloud and developer tools ecosystem post-acquisition. - Offering a comprehensive suite of services including real-time databases, authentication, and analytics. - Pioneering simplified cloud infrastructure access for mobile and web developers. ## Body ### History Firebase was founded in 2010 as Firebase, Inc., with a vision to simplify backend development for app creators. It quickly gained traction in the developer community for its real-time database and ease of integration. In 2014, Firebase was acquired by Google and eventually dissolved as a standalone entity, with its services integrated into Google’s broader cloud platform. This acquisition marked a significant shift in Google’s strategy toward developer tools and cloud services. ### Architecture and Services Firebase functions as a Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform, offering a suite of cloud-based tools that abstract backend complexities. Its core services include: - **Real-time Database**: Enables real-time data synchronization across clients. - **Authentication**: Provides secure user authentication via email, phone, or third-party providers. - **Hosting**: Offers fast and secure web hosting. - **Cloud Functions**: Serverless computing for running backend code in response to events. - **Analytics**: Tracks user behavior and app performance. These services are accessible via SDKs for iOS, Android, and web platforms, making Firebase a versatile tool for cross-platform development. ### Ecosystem and Industry Context Firebase operates within the broader software industry, specifically in the domain of cloud services and app development. It is classified as both a software framework and an Internet-based service, aligning it with other platforms that support scalable application development. Its dissolution into Google’s ecosystem underscores its role in shaping modern cloud infrastructure for developers. ### Geographic and Organizational Context Firebase was headquartered in San Francisco, California, a major hub for technology and software innovation. The United States, as its country of origin, provided a conducive environment for its growth within the burgeoning cloud services market of the early 2010s. ### Related Entities Firebase shares conceptual and industrial space with companies like Mapbox, which provides geospatial tools for developers. While Firebase focuses on backend services, Mapbox specializes in mapping and location data, highlighting the complementary nature of developer tools in the software industry. ### Legacy and Influence Although Firebase no longer exists as an independent company, its technologies remain integral to Google’s Firebase platform, which continues to be widely used by developers globally. Its influence is evident in the widespread adoption of BaaS models and real-time data solutions in modern app development. ## References 1. [Crunchbase](http://www.crunchbase.com/organization/firebase) 2. Google Knowledge Graph 3. [Source](https://www.mapbox.com/legal/subprocessors) 4. [Google Knowledge Graph](https://www.facebook.com/Firebase/) 5. [Source](https://techcrunch.com/2014/10/21/google-acquires-firebase-to-help-developers-build-better-realtime-apps/) 6. YouTube API 7. [firebase · GitHub Topics](https://github.com/topics/firebase)