Mobile
The Mobile sector encountered difficulties during the quarter, with 15 companies securing $82 million in new funding,
representing a 47% decrease in funding amounts versus the previous quarter. The number of companies funded dropped to 15,
a 42% decrease versus the previous quarter.
SendMe garnered $12 million in its series D funding round to continue its "trajectory to category leadership."
SendMe offers a broad selection of direct to consumer mobile subscription content, such as trivia, ring tones and mobile phone wallpaper.
Mobile image company Ontela secured an undisclosed round of corporate investment from Ericsson Venture Partners.
Ontela provides technology that helps wireless service providers and image service companies deliver their images to mobile handsets.
In-game advertising company Greystripe raised $5.5 million in its third round of venture capital and strategic financing.
The company did not disclose how the funding proceeds would be used.
Communications
The Communications sector saw the second largest percentage increase in funding volume,
with companies in this sector raising $70 million, an increase of 98% over the previous quarter.
The number of companies funded totaled seven, a 12% drop from the previous quarter.
The largest funding event of the quarter was for Pocket Communications, which received $25 million
from a syndicate of venture capital investors. Pocket provides flat rate wireless carrier services to Texas and the Northeast.
Transera Communications garnered $17 million in its fourth round of venture capital investment.
Transera has developed intelligent call center gateway and management solutions for the call center market.
Global IP telephone company Jajah raised $2.75 million in venture capital and strategic capital,
most notably from Intel Capital and Deutsche Telekom.
AOptix Technologies secured $12.9 million for its series D round of venture capital financing,
from a large syndicate of top-tier venture capital and private equity firms.
Proceeds purposes from the funding round were not disclosed.
Table 1
Venture Funding Activity – 1st Quarter 2009
| Industry |
Total
Amount
Funded |
% Change
Vs. Prior
Quarter |
Number of
Companies
Funded |
% Change
vs. Prior
Quarter |
| Telecom |
$198 Million |
+ 283 % |
5 |
- 50 % |
| Wireless |
$71 Million |
- 41 % |
9 |
- 59 % |
| Mobile |
$82 Million |
- 47 % |
15 |
- 42 % |
| Communications |
$70 Million |
+ 98 % |
7 |
- 12 % |
| Total |
$421 Million |
+ 10 % |
36 |
- 45 % |