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Lijit Networks secures $7.1 million funding for search-powered ad network

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Lijit Networks, Inc., a company that provides search-powered applications for both individual online publishers and online publisher networks, has closed a $7.1M series C round of financing, led by Foundry Group. Existing investors, Boulder Ventures and Colorado Fund I, managed by High Country Venture, also participated in the round.

Lijit will use the proceeds from this financing to launch its search-powered ad network, which empowers publishers to sell their own search ad inventory, as well as to expand its offices and employee base.

Originally posted on August 12, 2008 @ 10:30 am

YouLicense.com secures funding for marketing and content acquisitions

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Online music licensing marketplace YouLicense.com has secured Series A funding from Ofer Media and Logia Group LTD. The funding will be used to grow the company’s global marketing efforts and content acquisitions. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

With operations in Tel Aviv, London and New York, YouLicense.com has developed the only truly open and non-exclusive online music licensing marketplace. Artists, record labels and music aggregators can now easily offer music for commercial license through YouLicense.com. The platform directly connects buyers and sellers of music rights with a simple toolkit for quick and easy transaction processing.

Originally posted on August 6, 2008 @ 12:23 pm

Education.com secures $9.75 million funding

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Education.com, the online destination for parents with kids in preschool through grade 12, has secured $9.75M in funding led by California Technology Ventures. The Company’s Series A investors, Azure Capital Partners and TeleSoft Partners, also participated in the round.

With highly relevant original content and in depth reference information addressing critical issues, such as child development, special needs, bullying, kindergarten readiness, and hundreds more, Education.com estimates it has already reached about 10 million parents over the past year. Monthly pageviews have grown to 4 million and partnerships now exceed 350, including the most respected universities and leading nonprofits in the country.

Fortune 500 and other global brands are already finding Education.com an important place to advertise given its mission and highly coveted parent demographic. Additionally, revenue has doubled quarter over quarter.

Originally posted on August 5, 2008 @ 9:57 am

Weplay raises $8.6 million from Deep Fork Capital, Derek Jeter, LeBron James, Peyton Manning

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Online youth sports community Weplay announced the closing of $8.6 million in Series B funding led by Deep Fork Capital with participation from existing investors FirstMark Capital, Derek Jeter, LeBron James, Peyton Manning, and senior executives.

The funding will accelerate the company’s momentum as the fastest-growing online youth sports destination.
 
“We’re thrilled to have Deep Fork Capital join our existing partners Creative Artists Agency, Major League Baseball Advanced Media, FirstMark Capital and our founding athletes. The world of youth sport is currently held together  by email, clip boards and  telephone calls.   As the parent of a youth athlete, I want to make that experience simpler, safer and more fun for the millions of  parents, kids and coaches playing sports everywhere,” said Steve Hansen, CEO of Weplay. 

Originally posted on August 5, 2008 @ 7:12 pm

40billion.com launches friends-and-family funding network

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40billion.com has launched ots friends-and-family funding network for small-business entrepreneurs. The service enables entrepreneurs to raise capital through friends, family and others interested in helping the entrepreneur to succeed.

Unlike traditional bank loans and other person-to-person lending services, 40billion.com does not require a credit report or minimum credit score and does not allow loan interest rates as high as 36%, which many small-business entrepreneurs cannot afford. Instead, the entrepreneur can raise money from people they know in exchange for discounts that they offer to those investors who become customers.

To obtain funding, an entrepreneur simply uses 40billion.com to start a “Raise” (a fundraising profile) and invites friends, family and others in her social network to invest and contribute towards the funding target. 40billion.com makes it easier for entrepreneurs to share their business ideas with friends and relatives, who may want to invest and help out. Furthermore, 40billion.com handles all the transactions, so it is easier for an entrepreneur to manage having many investors. Raises are private, so potential investors must be invited by entrepreneurs or other investors.

Advantages of 40billion.com:

– No credit report or sales history required
– Multiple funding options
– Private, invitation-only profiles
– Exclusive entrepreneur features, e.g., live presentations online
– Search-engine to find business resources
– Profiles with embedded videos and PowerPoint presentations
– Investors receive social returns, financial returns, and discounts

Originally posted on July 31, 2008 @ 10:44 am