Local search engine specialist Zvents received $24 million in funding from AT&T, Navteq and Nokia Growth Partners, along with existing investors Red Rock Ventures and Vantage Point Venture Partners.

Zvents will use the funds to expand the reach of its local listings advertising network and to further develop its software, the company said.  Its focus is to push advertising from local businesses, timed around local events such as concerts and festivals, into consumers’ cell phones. The company’s homepage gives users a choice of several nearby cities.

The 3-year-old Zvents’ partners include AT&T, Microsoft, Viacom, and several media companies.