FindTheBest, the website filled with hundreds of charts comparing things like private schools and smartphones, has just raised funding from Kleiner Perkins Caufield &' Byersa4��a4� new sFund.

I wasna4��a4�t surprised that founder and chief executive Kevin Oa4��a4�Connor found a big-name backer for his Santa Barbara, Calif.-based startup &8212' after all, he sold his online ad company DoubleClick to Google for $3.1 billion. But the fact that the money came from Kleinera4��a4�s fund for social networking startups was a bit surprising. So when I got on the phone with Connor this morning, I asked: What makes FindTheBest social

a4��AIta4��a4�s an amorphous term,a4��� Oa4��a4�Connor acknowledged. But he said user involvement was always a key part of his plans. FindTheBest employs researchers to build the charts (which it calls a4��Acomparison appsa4���), but Oa4��a4�Connor said those researchers cana4��a4�t be 100 percent comprehensive on their own: a4��AIta4��a4�s absolutely essential that businesses and consumers come and add things.a4���

FindTheBest has already added editing features, and people are using them, but the company hasna4��a4�t really promoted that part of the site yet. Encouraging that involvement will be a4��Athe next big push,a4��� Oa4��a4�Connor said.

He added that FindTheBest might also incorporate data from social networks like Facebook. For example, when youa4��a4�re looking at the private school comparison chart, besides seeing school size, location, and student-teacher ratio, it would also be helpful to see if there are schools that your friends like or dislike.

a4��AWe don&'t have it all figured out yet, but we&'re definitely excited about the possibilities,a4��� Oa4��a4�Connor said.

When I explored FindTheBest a couple of months ago, I was impressed by the quality of information, especially compared to Googlea4��a4�s efforts to build similar charts with its Google Squared product. There are now 440 comparison apps on the site, and Oa4��a4�Connor said his goal is to reach 700 or 800 in the next year.

The size of the funding was not disclosed. Kleiner partner Randy Komisar will join FindTheBesta4��a4�s board of directors.

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Tags: sFund

Companies: FindTheBest, Kleiner Perkins Caufield &' Byers

People: Kevin O&'Connor, Randy Komisar

Tags: sFund

Companies: FindTheBest, Kleiner Perkins Caufield &' Byers

People: Kevin O&'Connor, Randy Komisar

Anthony is VentureBeat's assistant editor, as well as its reporter on media, advertising, and social networks. Before joining VentureBeat in 2008, Anthony worked at the Hollister Free Lance, where he won awards from the California Newspaper Publishers Association for breaking news coverage and writing. He attended Stanford University and now lives in San Francisco. Reach him at anthony@venturebeat.com. (All story pitches should also be sent to tips@venturebeat.com) You can also follow Anthony on Twitter.

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