Ask Jeeves Acquires Teoma Technologies

Internet search service Ask Jeeves Inc. said it acquired Teoma Technologies, a start-up search engine that has won attention for the ways it produces relevant results.

Ask Jeeves, whose service responds to plain-English questions, said it will integrate Teoma’s search technology into its service, enabling visitors to also conduct regular keyword searches.

The Emeryville, Calif.-based company said it paid $1.67 million in cash for Teoma, along with options and warrants for 2.5 million shares of its stock. Ask Jeeves’ shares rose 2 cents to 92 cents on Nasdaq, down from a high earlier this year of $25.