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New York social startup Foursquare is reportedly in talks with Microsoft about a strategic investment.

Foursquare, the location-based social network that pioneered “check-ins,” could get a needed cash infusion from the software giant, according to a report.

The companies declined to comment, but their increasingly close ties are undeniable.

Foursquare has become a favored developer for Microsoft’s Windows 8, and this week the company released a new app on the platform.

There was no indication of how much Microsoft would consider investing or how big a stake it would take in the company.

However, the companies were in advanced talks about the investment, according to the Bloomberg report.

Foursquare was co-founded by Dennis Crowley in 2009, and it exploded in value amid the social-media euphoria surrounding Facebook.

In 2011, Foursquare raised $50 million in venture capital at a $600 million valuation, but the company had trouble justifying such a heady price tag.

In 2012, Foursquare generated only $2 million in revenue.

Earlier this year, the company raised $41 million in debt financing from private equity firm Silver Lake. The investment was meant to give the startup more time to prove its business model.

This year, the company is expected to generate sales of $15 million or more, and revenue chief Steve Rosenblatt told Bloomberg, “It’s all well ahead of what we anticipated.”

Separately, Foursquare yesterday unveiled a new feature that serves up insider recommendations about the places that users visit, without users having to check in.